6 Unbelievable Issues to Do on the Isle of Lewis and Harris in Scotland
If you happen to had requested me a number of years in the past about my favourite a part of Scotland, I might not have hesitated to let you know about how a lot I really like the Isle of Skye, the wing-shaped island within the Internal Hebrides that captured my coronary heart on my first journey to Scotland.
However in case you requested me immediately about my favourite a part of Scotland? I’d truly must shift it to the Outer Hebrides and the Isle of Lewis and Harris.
I knew precisely two issues concerning the Isle of Lewis and Harris earlier than I visited in for the primary time on a tour with Haggis Adventures: I knew that it had a reasonably well-known circle of standing stones, and I knew that it was speculated to have good seashores.
I did not know that it required a virtually 3-hour ferry journey to get to. I did not know that it is roughly two separate islands with very totally different landscapes (Lewis is the northern a part of the island, and Harris is the southern half). I did not know something about its inhabitants, traditions, or different landscapes.
And I had no clue that I might fall head over heels for it.
Touring to Lewis and Harris
The journey to the Isle of Lewis and Harris began out a bit rocky – actually. The ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway was lurching this fashion and that in tough seas, making strolling round and preserving down meals a problem for a lot of. It was additionally raining once we made it to our small hostel in Stornoway; not the welcome any of my Haggis Adventures tour mates had been hoping for for our introduction to the Outer Hebrides.
I used to be being cautious to maintain my expectations low. I wasn’t anticipating solar on this wild a part of Scotland in late September, and I informed myself I would be completely happy to easily see the sights I used to be most wanting ahead to.
So when the following morning dawned cloudy, I wasn’t too let down.
However then one thing occurred on our solution to Abhainn Dearg Distillery (essentially the most westerly distillery in Scotland): the quickly-moving clouds started to interrupt up and the solar started forcing its means by way of.
By the point we started our afternoon of sightseeing round Lewis, the solar was overtaking the clouds and everybody was in an incredible temper. And, fortunate for us, the solar adopted us round Harris the following day, too!
Whereas I do know the great climate undoubtedly had an have an effect on on my enjoyment of the island, I’ve a sneaking suspicion that I might have liked it anyway, rain or shine.
Listed here are all of the highlights from the Isle of Lewis and Harris that made me fall in love with it and be satisfied that it’d, actually, be one in every of Scotland’s best-kept secrets and techniques.
The most effective issues to do on Lewis and Harris
1. Callanish Standing Stones
In all probability essentially the most well-known sight on the Isle of Lewis is the Callanish (or Calanais) Standing Stones. Positioned on the west coast of Lewis, the stones date again to the Neolithic age – that means that they are about 5000 years outdated!!
The standing stones include a most important stone circle and rows of stones branching off from this in a tough cross form.
If you happen to’ve ever visited Stonehenge in England (particularly just lately), extra standing stones may not sound that thrilling. However whereas Stonehenge’s well-known stones at the moment are roped off and normally very crowded, the alternative is true at Callanish.
We have been roughly the one individuals there, and you may stroll proper as much as and round all of the stones.
It is very seemingly that these stones impressed creator Diana Gabaldon in her creation of the Craigh na Dun standing stones within the “Outlander” collection.
There have been loads of Outlander followers in my tour group, and so in fact all of us took turns stepping as much as the middle stone of the circle to see if we’d be capable to fall again by way of time and discover our personal Jamie Fraser. Sadly, none of us turned out to be time vacationers.
2. Dun Carloway
After the excessive of visiting Callanish, I did not actually care what else we noticed on Lewis and did not hassle to learn up on the opposite stops we have been making that day. Which meant that I spent the remainder of the day being completely delighted by the whole lot.
Our subsequent cease was at Dun Carloway, the remnant of a stone broch (small tower) that is roughly 2000 years outdated. The broch itself is extremely spectacular, and the views of the close by countryside have been past stunning.
We walked as much as the tower destroy, and spent a while having fun with the view.
3. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
Subsequent we headed to the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, which immediately is a cross between an open-air museum and vacation spot. The village consists of restored blackhouses – lengthy stone cottages with thatched roofs – and gives up each trip lodging and historic demonstrations.
If you happen to’ve ever been interested by what a peat hearth smells like (many Scots used to and nonetheless do burn peat as an alternative of wooden), they normally have at the very least one burning right here.
4. Butt of Lewis
Our final cease of the day on the Isle of Lewis was on the very northern tip of the island, AKA the Butt of Lewis. We went on a brief hike right here alongside the coastal cliffs, taking within the superb views out over the North Atlantic and preserving heat towards the biting Scottish wind.
5. Luskentyre Seaside
The next day noticed us crossing over to Harris, the southern a part of the island. Our information, Mahri, informed us that many individuals assume Lewis is known as after the Gaelic phrase for “marshy,” whereas Harris means one thing alongside the strains of “greater,” since that is the place you discover mountains.
Our main cease of the day was at Luskentyre Seaside, which has been named among the best seashores in the UK. And I can undoubtedly see why.
We had free time on the seashore to splash within the waves, frolic on the sand, and climb the rocky hill above the seashore to get higher views and go to with some bushy hielan’ coos (bushy Highland cows).
This in all probability does not look something just like the Scotland you have imagined – however that is what makes it so particular.
6. St Clement’s Church
Our closing cease on Lewis and Harris was at St. Clement’s Church within the tiny city of Rodel. The church itself is not notably superb, however the surrounding surroundings undoubtedly is. If you happen to stroll up the street from the church and climb a hill, you’ll be able to see the Isle of Skye on a transparent day.
Is Lewis and Harris price it?
Understanding how a lot I really like the Isle of Skye, I used to be actually (pleasantly) shocked to like the Isle of Lewis and Harris simply as a lot, if no more. A part of it comes all the way down to the superb landscapes and historic websites on Lewis and Harris, and the opposite half I attribute to the truth that this island is not almost as well-visited as Skye.
Since you must take a ferry to Lewis and Harris (and since you simply do not hear as a lot about it because the well-known Isle of Skye), you may discover far much less guests right here than on a few of Scotland’s different islands. There have been undoubtedly locations the place we noticed no different vacationers, and we have been just about the one individuals staying at Heb Hostel in Stornoway.
So if you wish to expertise the perfect of the Hebrides withOUT the crowds, undoubtedly head to the Isle of Lewis and Harris. It is 100% definitely worth the effort to get there.
Learn how to go to Lewis and Harris
The Isle of Lewis and Harris is not as straightforward to go to because the Isle of Skye, however you’ll be able to 100% do it by yourself as a part of a Scotland street journey.
To do it by yourself, you may have to take the Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) Western Isles ferry service from Ullapool on the mainland to the primary port of Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. From Ullapool, this journey usually takes slightly below 3 hours.
You too can sail from Uig on the Isle of Skye to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The ferries do accommodate automobiles, however you may wish to e book them as far upfront as attainable! Find more info and book here. When you’re on Lewis (or Harris), you’ll be able to drive from one a part of the island to the opposite, after which take the ferry again or onward.
If you happen to do not wish to self-drive, there are some tour choices to get you to Lewis and Harris. I traveled on a backpacker-style tour with Haggis Adventures (this one), however listed here are some extra tour choices, relying on how a lot time you’ve got:
The place to remain on Lewis and Harris
I do truly advocate visiting Lewis and Harris on a tour, because it means not having to emphasize about driving on the slender island roads your self. And in case you do that, your lodging can be taken care of for you.
However, if you wish to go by yourself, that is completely superb, too! If you happen to’re doing this, then the simplest place to base your self can be in Stornoway, because it’s the biggest city on the island. Locations to remain right here embrace:
Have you ever ever been to any of Scotland’s isles? If not, do you wish to head to Lewis and Harris now?
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Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by way of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
