Historical Lewis
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Port
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, United Kingdom
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$109.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Depart from Stornoway, capital of the Outer Hebridean Isles. Here, the Western Isles Council strives to promote the Gaelic language and culture.
You'll cross the typical peat moors of central Lewis before heading toward the stunning west coast and the Callanish Standing Stones. This henge, in the shape of a Celtic cross, is the island's most dramatic prehistoric ruin and dates from 1500 BC.
Next, continue along the beautiful Atlantic coastal road and stop at Carloway -- a pretty parish with a scattering of island croft houses. Here, you'll see the Carloway Broch fortified stone tower, built around 100 BC for defensive purposes. It is the best-preserved broch in the Hebrides.
The Atlantic coastal road leads to the beautifully remote coastal settlement of Gearrannan. Step into this restored village of typical 'black houses' on the edge of the ocean. It's like a journey back in time. Built as a combined byre, barn, and home, with an open peat fire in the tradition of ancient long houses, the black house was where folk lived together with their animals until as recently as the 1970s. In the museum, listen to an introductory talk about the history of this tradition, the village, and the island.
Watch a weaving demonstration and explore other parts of the village.
You'll turn inland again and cross the bleak, open moorland to Stornoway.
Notes:
Tour does not operate on Sundays.