In the case of Lewis, I am pretty sure that the population in the main wanted to move a bit more with the times but were represses by religious dogma on an island isolated from outside influence. The control exercised by the church was akin to the middle ages with a population in fear of the religious hierarchy. I understand the desire to keep old ideas and traditions alive but the hold of the kirk over ordinary people was unhealthy. Unfortunately, once one bastion falls, others are not slow to follow, but I believe it has been for the general good, although not every change has proven so.
Mike.X