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The Outer Hebrides has a unique culture and tradition. It is an area of unspoilt beauty, spectacular scenery and is rich in wildlife.
For the botanist the fertile machair land produce a display of beautiful, rare and colourful wild flowers in summer.
For the ornithologist the craggy cliffs and miles of rugged coastal shoreline attract an abundance of seabirds. The majestic golden eagle can sometimes be seen soaring and gliding looking for prey, and the secret and elusive corncrake now coming back to our fields may be occasionally spotted.
For the hill-climber, walker and cyclist this is a landscape amazingly varied and sometimes challenging from the wide open spaces with it awesome silence and panoramic views to the more dramatic scenery of big hills, mountain crags and rugged windswept sea cliffs. There is also a vast moorland terrain, rare and special to Lewis. It is all here on our island to be discovered, explored, enjoyed and appreciated.
For the angler Lewis is famous for its numerous fresh water lochs, many of which are teeming with wild brown trout. For those who wish to fish for wild salmon and sea trout, boat trips and permits are easily arranged.
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Bayble Beach |
Only a short walk along the shore road from Tigh Aonghais is this small secluded, sandy beach with delightful little rock pools. It is also a fine spot for rock and pier fishing. With stunning views of the surrounding cliffs and Bayble Island, be sure to take your binoculars with you when you go. You may even catch a glimpse of basking sharks, minke whales or dolphins swimming by on a calm day.
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Traigh na Berie, Uig |
A stunning golden beach on the west coast of the island ideal for long walks and seaside picnics. If this beach was in the Mediterranean a concrete tourist resort would surround it by now, but here, the natural beauty of this place can still be enjoyed.
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Dalbeg Beach |
The Hebrides is surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean. Dalbeg beach on the west side of the island is a favourite with the water sport enthusiast. The wild Atlantic swell produces some of the best surf in Scotland making conditions ideal for surfing, canoeing, and sea kayaking.
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An Lanntair Art Centre |
Recently built in Stornoway town centre, An Lanntair is more than an art gallery and has something for everyone. Creative workshops, local art exhibitions, traditional music, as well as live music, entertainment and events. It also houses a cinema.
Website: An Lanntair Art Centre
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The Calanais Stones, Callanish |
The biggest attraction on the island, those ancient stones exude a power and majesty rivalled only by Stonehenge in the British Isles. The Neolithic stone ring and associated lines of standing stones were erected between 2900 and 12600 BC making it earlier than the main circle at Stonehenge. This mysterious place will fill you with awe and fire your imagination.
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The Arnol Blackhouse |
Take a trip back in time and discover how the people of the islands lived a couple of generations ago. The original dwelling on this croft would have looked much the same as the house in Arnol does. It is a real eye opener for those used to modern living.
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The Bosta Iron Age House |
This ancient site is at Bosta beach in Great Bernera on the west side of Lewis. Buried for centuries beneath the sandy dunes it was discovered and excavated in the 1990's, the houses belong to a distinctive group found around the Pictish period of 600-800 A.D.
A replica of one of the Iron Age houses has been superbly rebuilt and entry is available during the summer months.
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St Columba's Church / Eye Church |
In the Point area only 3 miles from Tigh Aonghais stand the ruins of St Columba's church and graveyard. It was used as an Episcopalian place of worship until 1826. In the early days the graveyard was the burial place of the Macleods of Lewis including 19 chiefs of the clan. This 14th century ruin is important not only for its church but for its internationally significant cemetery. Plans have been filed to restore this ancient site.
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Stornoway |
The capital and main town in the island, Stornoway is a quaint, scenic harbour town and is only seven miles from Tigh Aonghais. The town is overlooked by the impressive mock Tudor Lews Castle, which is surrounded by an area of beautiful woodland. It is a must for a leisurely walk or a cycle around. In the grounds there is an 18-hole golf course.
The town has an excellent range of bars and restaurants many offering local cuisine. There is also a selection of shops and cafes. The new leisure centre recently opened has a gym, swimming pool and sports hall. Also in the town is the Island Arts Centre, An Lanntair.
Museum nan Eilean holds a collection of photographs, objects and archives of local and social history. There is a library on the main street providing a well-balanced stock of books and library material suitable for all ages and interests.
The town also has an astro turf pitch, go carting and a paint ball action area.
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