Unholy row over Tesco plan for Sunday opening on Isle of Lewis

Many of the island’s residents are members of various protestant denominations that believe Sunday should be a day of rest.

The practice is derived from the Bible’s fourth commandment which states “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”.

Observance of the Sabbath was once so strict that play park swings were chained up at dusk on Saturday, and hanging out washing on a Sunday was frowned upon.

Restrictions have relaxed over recent decades, with the first Sunday commercial flight landing at Stornoway airport in 2002 and Sunday ferry sailings have operated since 2009.

But while petrol stations and some restaurants now open on Sundays, many local shops, including the only other supermarket, a Co-op, remain closed.

Council run-facilities such as swimming pools, soft-play areas and the island’s two-lane bowling alley are also shut, even though the local authority allows similar facilities to open on other islands.