History of the Rotary Club of Stornoway
Rotary International was started in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris. By 1914 eight clubs had been formed in Great Britain. There are now over 29,000 clubs and at least 1.2 million members all over the world.
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular to encourage and foster:
First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
Second: High ethical standards in business and the professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
Third The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life;
Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
In 1957 suggestions were made by members of the Dingwall Rotary Club that a club be formed in Stornoway. By 1959 there were 25 members ready to establish the Rotary Club of Stornoway with the territorial limits of the parishes of Stornoway, Barvas, Uig and Lochs.
By 1988 two ex-Stornoway members living in Skye were ready with the help of the Stornoway Club to form the Rotary club of Portree and District.