Holidays on the Isle of Lewis

Must visit attractions for you when you take a  Western Isles touring holiday with Hebridean Hopscotch.

Even though Lewis is the most populated of the Outer Hebrides, it sometimes seems like the quietest - perhaps because there is so much space over which the population is scattered.....

In fact, the total landmass of the Isle of Lewis and Harris, is the third largest of the British Isles.
Stornoway is the main point of entry to the Outer Hebrides, offering two or three daily ferry sailings from Ullapool (not Sundays) and a modern airport with around a dozen flights daily (limited Sunday services).

There’s a diverse range of shops, serving local and tourist needs. Visitor attractions include an excellent museum of local history, the Lewis Loom Centre where you can learn about the history of Harris Tweed and the delightful grounds of Lews Castle. 

Travel a few miles in any direction from your ferry or airport arrival at Stornoway and you’ll find the treasures of the Isle of Lewis.
Close to the lighthouses at Tiumpan Head or the Butt of Lewis, you can view seabird colonies and migrating birds on passage through the Outer Hebrides - maybe even whales or dolphins.

Take a trip round the West-side, where superb sandy beaches, rocky cliffs and crystal clear, clean breaking waters attract surfers and kayakers. The coastline is a joy for climbers, walkers and those who just sit and watch.

There’s a wealth of history, too, with restored Blackhouses at Arnol and Gearrannan, which give a fascinating glimpse into life on the Isle of Lewis in the last century. 

A little further on, you’ll find the ancient Carloway Broch and the 5000 year old stone circles of Callanish - a little smaller than Stonehenge, but some find the accessibility at this Western Isles attraction provides a better experience. At Carloway, you can visit the Harris Tweed mill - there's also a weaver in the village who welcomes visitors.

Continuing along the Atlantic coast, into an even more remote area, of the Outer Hebrides the re-created iron age fort at Bosta dominates a beautiful, almost white, shell-sand beach at the north of Bernera.  

More extensive beaches and machair lie alongside the ocean as you travel further south-west, towards Uig. 
Along this road, said to be Europe’s longest cul-de-sac, you’ll find an amazing area of sand of around two square kilometres.  The land here is more rocky and rugged and you’ve a fair chance of glimpsing red deer, plus golden or even sea eagles..

ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS - when contacting these providers, please mention Hebridean Hopscotch

Walking: Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Western Isles. Coastal track from Tolsta to Ness. West-side coastal walk.

St Kilda and other scenic boat trips: Murray Macleod’s Seatrek, from Miavaig near Uig, Isle of Lewis, is a firm favourite with visitors.  New in 2008, the one day boat trip to St Kilda trip could be the highlight of your Hebrides Holiday. Runs on Mondays, with Tuesday held in reserve in case of bad weather. £160 pp.

2 hour trips in his fast, Delta-Rib powerboat provide views of islands and lagoons, sea-caves, seals and nesting birds - there’s a good chance of viewing sea-eagles, too. £30 per person.

Seatrek also offers trips in combination with Adventure Hebrides  - £85 per person full day including sea kayaking, climbing or abseiling (and lunch!).  

www.seatrek.co.uk - 01851 672464

Organised walks: RSPB Western Isles Summer programme of  Isle of Lewis wildlife walks

www.rspb.org.uk or call 01851 703296.

Golf: Stornoway Golf Club offers 18 demanding holes in a parkland setting. £20/day £60 /week. 

www.stornowaygolfclub.co.uk - 01851 702240

Sailing - Beyond the Blue Horizon: A full day on the 67ft steel Cutter Challenge yacht, Elinca, sailing to the Shiants - around £95 pp.  Wildlife seen may include dolphins, seals, whales and puffins.  Extend your stay for a 3 or 4 day cruise from the Western Isles to St Kilda, from £390.
www.beyondthebluehorizon.co.uk  - 01851 970233 or 07920 067 774

Guided holiday tours: 
Dave's Hebridean Archaeological Tours Complete with a guide, your Land Rover tour allows you to reach the parts others cannot reach. Follow the history of the Isle of Lewis right up to the 20th century. In addition or as an alternative to history tours, you can experience astronomical, sunse/rise and moonset/rise or natural history excursions.  1 to 6 people.  01851 621235 or 07850 857774

Boat trip: Charles Engebret’s full day boat trip is to the Shiant Islands from Stornoway, viewing wildlife, especially Puffins, from about June to mid-August.  Charles encourages all his guests to try a little fishing during the voyage.  He can usually combine individual people and small groups to make an economic cost per person, around £50 to £100 each. This means you should be be flexible about the day you choose from your holiday for your trip.

Phone 01851 702304 / 07766 375434

Guided excursions: Chris Ryan, of Out and About Tours, is a knowledgeable and entertaining local guide.  Half or full day trips for up to 6 guests, including birdwatching, other flora and fauna, archaeology, culture and history.  Learn about many aspects of Island Life. £70 half day, £120-140 whole day, for the entire party, including all transport.
www.hebridean-holidays.co.uk - 01851 612288

Blue badge tour guide, Les McInulty, of Albannach Tours provides Isle of Lewis & Harris tours including highlights like the Calanais Standing Stones, Dun Carloway Broch, Gearrannan Thatched Village, Arnol Blackhouse, Butt Of Lewis Cliffs, St. Clement’s 16th c Church with its amazing Medieval Carvings, Harris Tweed Weavers, some of the best sandy beaches in the world at Uig & West Harris & the hidden scenic fishing villages of Pairc.  www.albannachtours.co.uk  01851 830433 or 0774 7117870

Holiday photography courses: Local photographer, (he produced this brochure/website) and photography teacher, Mike Shailes, offers on location, outdoor landscape or portrait photography courses tuition for small groups (up to 6 people)  £60 half day, £120 whole day, for the group.  Weekend courses preferred.
www.mikeshailes.co.uk - 07780 758 063

Harris Tweed: Ronnie Mackenzie (photo left), at The Lewis Loom Centre in Bayhead Stornoway offers guided tours through his collection of Harria Tweed artefacts, plus a huge range of products and great value cloth to buy.

'Extreme' Sports: Tim Pickering's Adventure Hebrides offers holiday activities for both beginners and experienced participants, including:

Sea kayaking: In one of the world's best locations, a chance to see seals, otters, porpoises, lots of sea birds and a host of other sea life (up to 4 people). 

Hill Walking and Climbing: With a qualified instructor for novices or experienced climbers (up to 4 people).

All above with equipment and instruction

For all his activities Tim generally recommends a half day for novices. Larger groups please ask.

www.canoehebrides.com -  01851 820726

Surfing: Lewis Surf Trek, run by Mark Lumsden, an accomplished, qualified instructor offers a £40 (per person) half day session (minimum of two people).  He’ll contact you on your chosen day to tell you the location he has selected for the most suitable swell on the day, then meet you there and provide all equipment.

www.lewissurftrek.com - 07939 194 880

Holiday Bike Hire: The Cycle Centre, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
From £9.50 per day to £38 per week.

www.hebrideancycles.co.uk - 01851 704025

Holiday Bike Hire: Bike Hebrides
From £12 per day to £80 per week.

www.bikehebrides.com - 075 22 121 414

0845 230 1236