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PlacesOuter Hebrides : Lewis |
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Lewis is the largest of the Outer Hebrides at about 45 miles long and 30 miles at its widest. It has a population of around 20,000, most of which is concentrated in the capital of the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway. The island is relatively flat and much of it is covered by peat moors. Stornoway has a full range of medical services, banks, shops, hotels, restaurants and all the other modern facilities expected from a large town. Access is via ferry to Stornoway from Uig on Skye or Ullapool on the mainland, or by air from Glasgow, Invernes, Barra or Benbecula. |
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Uig Peninsula
One of the prettiest beaches in the area is that of
Traigh na Beirigh, just down the road from Valtos. It
is also home to a nice, well equipped camp site. The
beach of Cliff on the Uig Peninsula can provide some
outstanding surf conditions. One of the best beach
breaks around, consistent, nicely formed hollow waves
breaking on a sandy bottom, with no crowds, just seals.
Its quite a long drive from anywhere of any size
though. Also worth exploring is the huge expanse of
sand at Traigh Uuige, which would provide a good
windsurfing location on big high tides. It can also
hold a wave on really big swells. Further south is
Mangurstadh, another top class surf break.
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Me surfing at Cliff, Lewis. |
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Great Bernera
It's worth taking a journey to the island of Great
Bernera, which is joined to Lewis by a bridge. The
views and Iron Age fort at Bostadh are worth the trip.
It's also a nice place to spend the night camping. In
clear weather the views across to the smaller islands
are almost surreal. Great Bernera does have a small
museum and a school, but not a lot else
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The view from Bosta, Great Bernera. |
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NW Lewis
After taking in the cultural stops of the Calanais
Standing Stones and Dun Carloway, the NW coast of Lewis
contains abundant with surf spots. Beaches worth
checking are Dalbeag and Dalmore, while the rocky reefs
all along the NW coast from Barabhas to Dail bho Dheas
are some of the best and most consistent surf spots in
Europe...On big days this whole coast will be
absolutely firing. Towards the northern tip (The Butt
of Lewis) is the beach of Europie, which can hold world
class beach breaks waves, but is easily blown out by SW
and westerly winds.
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Blown out Eoropie, Lewis. |
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NE Lewis
Heading east from Stornoway, the beach to the north of
the narrow isthmus of land joining Lewis to the Eye
Peninsula can on very big days hold a fast, sucky wave,
but it isn't recommended.
NE of Stornoway are several beaches suitable for
windsurfing. Of these, Traigh Chuil is probably the
best as access is easy. It is also worth exploring the
pretty and isolated area around Tolsta, with it beach
of Triagh Mhor.
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Historical Sites
Lewis abounds with historical sites, from the well
known Clanais Standing Stones and Dun Carloway to
numerous other stone circles, standing stones, duns and
blackhouses. There are too many to describe in full
here, so pick up a book at one of the visitor
centres...The visitor centre at the Calanais Standing
Stones is well stocked and has a nice cafe too.
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Iron Age fort, Bosta, great Bernera |
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