Mystery of the Hebridean hum that is ‘driving islanders mad'
Councillors on a Scottish island are searching for the source of a mysterious hum that some locals claim is 'driving them mad'.
Residents in the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, have been agitated by a low-frequency drone that they say started in recent months.
Some are convinced that the noise originates offshore, with one theory being Russian submarine activity in the Atlantic.
Reports of the hum have come from across Lewis, with the strongest signals detected around Stornoway and Broad Bay, on the island's east coast.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the Western Isles Council, said efforts were being made to solve the mystery with monitoring equipment installed in a property in Ness, a village in the north. A homeowner there thought their recently fitted smart meter might be the source.
A spokesperson said complaints of a hum from different parts of the island were not being treated as related 'due to the geographical separation of the reports'.
The issue was raised more widely last month by Lauren-Grace Kirtley, a Lewis resident, on a Facebook page, The Hebridean Hub.
She posted: 'Anyone else noticed a really low machine noise started on Point over the weekend? A low rumbling like a generator but really intrusive. Any ideas what is causing it?'
Ms Kirtley and other residents have since tried to solve the mystery by taking spectrograph recordings at every location on the island where the hum had been reported.
The group took readings at wind turbines, ports and communication masts and has been in touch with various bodies including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the communications watchdog Ofcom.
'There is a persistent, recordable 50 Hz signal of variable strength present in all locations, especially around Stornoway and Broad Bay, but measurable from all over the island,' said Ms Kirtley.
'We've also detected much weaker signals in the island's interior – suggesting the sound is not being generated from the centre of the island itself.'
'Constant noise of this frequency is almost always man-made. Whilst 50 Hz falls below the hearing of the majority of people, it is very intrusive and can be very distressing to those who can hear it, affecting concentration, sleep and general well-being. It can also cause vibration, dizziness, headaches and eardrum 'beating' sensations.'
Many have posted in the Facebook group to say how the noise has affected them, with one person saying it has impacted their sleep.
They wrote: 'Been hearing 'the hum' in Stornoway for a few weeks now, thought I was imagining it for a while and didn't think much of it, but it's made me put on white noise or a fan to sleep, and can make me wake up not feeling refreshed.'
Another added: 'Callanish; very low bass pulsing hum, but not all the time.'
There have also been reports of a humming noise from across the Minch. One resident stated: 'I have been experiencing this problem for four or five years now. I hear it all round the waterside from Inchree to Appin on the west coast.
'The noise is amplified within the houses and also intensifies in the small hours of the morning. I also have considered moving from the area due to this, so I am encouraged to hear that there are people trying to get to the bottom of the problem.'
A spokesperson for the council said: 'Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has received several reports relating to low frequency sounds from members of the public.
'As with any other reports of this nature, our Environmental Health Team is investigating and will liaise with those who have reported issues.
'Due to the geographical separation of the reports, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is currently considering them unrelated.'
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