TWO CYCLISTS AT THE CALLANISH STANDING STONES ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS, OUTER HEBRIDES.

LEWIS

Lewis forms part of a chain of islands with the most spectacular silver beaches, culture and wildlife - a haven for outdoor activities and a wonderful place to unwind. Freshwater and sea lochs provide a great resource for fishing and bird life. This is where you can take boat trips to spot whales, dolphins, seals and puffins, or a guided walk to see otters, buzzards and deer. The main town of Stornoway was once an active fishing port, and now hosts the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival in July. The old blackhouses which acquired their name from the soot left from burning peat have been replaced by crofts whose holdings follow the traditional pattern from medieval times. The neo-gothic Lews Castle offers fantastic views of the port and the Nan Eilean museum traces history of the Outer Hebrides from prehistoric times. Its exhibits include the famous collection of Viking ivory chessmen. The town hall is home to the An Lanntair Arts Festival. To the east of Stornoway is the Eye Peninsula, bordered by high cliffs and beautiful beaches and offers magnificent views over the Minch, the stretch of water between eastern Lewis and mainland Scotland. The cottage museum of Arnol Blackhouse was built in the 1870s and offers the visitor a fascinating insight of the traditional island dwellings. For touring the islands, ferry Hopscotch tickets enable flexibility for inner island connections. By road, visitors can the farthest north point, the Butt of Lewis, and visit the standing stones, most notably at Calanais, and ruined brochs (defensive towers) along the way.

Must See & Do
Nan Eilean Museum, Stornoway
Museum nan Eilean was established in 1983 by Comhairle nan Eilean, the Western Isles Islands Council, as it was then, to provide the first professional museum service for the Western Isles. Its Stornoway museum opened in 1984 in accommodation in the Town Hall.

Calanais Standing Stones
This is a cross shaped setting of standing stones, unique in Scotland, and outstanding in Great Britain. The site dates to around 3000 BC.  This site is managed by Historic Scotland.

Arnol Blackhouse Museum
The Arnol Blackhouse Museum is situated in the crofting village of Arnol, on the West side of the island of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, and has been run by Historic Scotland since it opened in 1968.  
Managed by Historic Scotland, whose remit is to preserve Scotland”s “built” heritage, the museum site is comprised of four buildings: the blackhouse itself, the recently restored “white” house, the excavated ruin of an older blackhouse, and the interpretation building.

Dun Carloway Broch
Dun Carloway, or Dun Charlabhaigh, is a remarkably w ell preserved broch in a stunning location overlooking Loch Roag on the west coast of Lewis.   Dun Carloway was probably built some time in the last century BC. It would have served as an occasionally defensible residence for an extended family complete with accommodation for animals at ground floor level. The broch at Dun Carloway is extremely well preserved.

Butt of Lewis
The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse was designed by brothers” David and Thomas Stevenson, Engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board.  Thomas was the father of the Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, famous for writing classics such as Treasure Island, Kidnapped and The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde. It is now an automated lighthouse. Successive generations of light keepers and their families have stayed here. 

Lews Castle
Lews Castle occupies a commanding position overlooking Stornoway and forms a spectacular backdrop to the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival, a 4-day international music event held in July.  Built as a mansion for Sir James Matheson in the mid 19th century, it was also owned by Lord Leverhulme, who gifted it to the local community in 1923.  From the early 1950's until 1989 the Castle served as a Technical College and school.

TWO MEN LIE CLOSE TO THE EDGE OF THE RED SANDSTONE CLIFFS OF HOY, OVERLOOKING THE OLD MAN OF HOY- A MASSIVE COLUMN OF ROCK RISING 449' NORTH OF RORA HEAD, ORKNEY.

ORKNEY

Orkney”s history goes back more than 4,500 years ago to the earliest dwellings of Neolithic people, most stunning of these is at Skara Brae. Today the islands are invaded by thousands of birds and other wildlife that make their home on these magical isles.  Kirkwall, the islands” capital is a substantial town, dominated by the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, which tells the tale of Viking invasions. Visitors can follow the Orkney Craft Trail which includes a range of arts and crafts including contemporary textile and the world-renowned Orcadian jewellery.
There are many local food specialties to try in Orkney and visitors can sample whisky from Highland Park, the most northerly of whisky distilleries. The Orkney Food Festival in September is the annual showcase of island produce including cheese and seafood.
Signs of spectacular wildlife abound, with road signs warning motorists to watch out for otters crossing. The sea cliffs resound with the calls of auks and kittiwakes, and the moorlands are home to rare birds of prey.
For walkers, the dramatic cliffs by Old Man of Hoy are a magnet and anglers can try their skills at one of the many lochs. Visitors can take island excursions and see Viking graffiti on Neolithic tombs and discover the story of the British Navy”s anchorage offshore at the fascinating Scapa Flow Visitor Centre.

Must See & Do
Skara Brae, Sandwick
Buried into the southern shore of Sandwick's Bay o' Skaill is the Neolithic village of Skara Brae - one of Orkney's most-visited ancient sites and regarded as one of the most remarkable monuments in Europe. Because of the protection offered by the sand that covered the settlement for 4,000 years, the buildings and their contents are incredibly well-preserved. Not only are the walls of the structures still standing and alleyways roofed with their original stone slabs, but the interior fittings of each house give an unparalleled glimpse of life as it was in Neolithic Orkney.

LOOKING OVER TO SOME OF THE TWENTY SEVEN REMAINING STONES OF THE RING OF BRODGAR BETWEEN LOCH OF HARRAY (VISIBLE) AND LOCH OF STENNESS, AT SUNRISE, MAINLAND, ORKNEY

Ring of Brodgar, near Stromness   
The "Ring of Brodgar" is a late Neolithic Henge with stone circle. The henge or ditch is 30 feet wide, 6 feet deep and 370 feet in diameter. The stones stand 7 feet tall in a circle 20 feet from the inside of the henge. Only 27 out of the original 60 stones still stand; they are made of sedimentary rock, and some have been struck down by lightning. A unique feature of this henge is the absence of the mound which normally surrounds the ditch.

Maes Howe Tomb, Stenness  
The prehistoric chambered tomb known as Maeshowe stands in the parish of Stenness on the Orkney mainland. Hailed as "one of the greatest architectural achievements of the prehistoric peoples of Scotland", it can be seen clearly from the main Kirkwall to Stromness road - a large grassy mound standing out from the flat green fields surrounding it. Built around 2,700 BC, Maeshowe has a diameter of 35 metres and is approximately 7.5 metres high. Built from huge Orkney flagstones (some of which weigh up to 30 tonnes) and clay, the tomb is made up of a low entrance passage (found on the south-west side of the mound) which leads into a large central chamber with three smaller side-cells in each wall.

The Italian Chapel, Lambholm
The Chapel at Lambholm (pictured above) was constructed from scrap metal and junk and today is considered a poignant symbol of peace and goodwill. The chapel is testament to the vision of Domenico Chiocchetti, who using his artistic background, rallied his fellow inmates and built what is today one of Orkney's most visited and loved tourist attractions.

The Tomb of the Eagles, South Ronaldsay
South Ronaldsay is the nearest Orkney Island to Scotland, being just 6.5 miles across the Pentland Firth from John O'Groats.  The islands of Burray and South Ronaldsay are paradise for birdwatchers. The various habitats on the islands - such as heathland, beaches, lochs, cliffs and rocks - give rise to a wide variety of birds. Common and Grey Seals can also often be seen as you walk along the coast. The more elusive otter can be seen occasionally at dusk or dawn off the 4 barriers - footprints in the sand giving a clue as to their locations.

St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall
ST MAGNUS CATHEDRAL is one of Orkney's most magnificent landmarks - towering above the Kirkwall landscape with its distinctive red sandstone hues. Work began on construction of the 'finest church the North had ever seen' in 1137, and it now belongs to the 'people of Kirkwall'.

Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Lyness, Hoy
Tells the story of Scapa Flow and its importance as a safe harbour for the British Fleet since Napoleonic times. Located in wartime buildings.

The Orkney Museum, Kirkwall
Orkney's principal museum is housed in the 16th century merchant laird's house known as Tankerness House. Displays tell the history of the islands over the past 5,000 years with exhibits of international importance from the Stone, Bronze and Iron ages. Neolithic/Bronze Age galleries provide an excellent introduction to Orkney's outstanding ancient monuments and provide an insight into life in the Stone Age. Bronze and Iron Age displays tell the story of a changing environment, and how the ancient Orcadians defended themselves by building brochs.

The Stromness Museum, Stromness 
Founded in 1837 by The Orkney Natural History Society, this museum mainly portrays the maritime and natural history of the islands. It has also enthographic and archaeological collections. An extensive refurbishment of the 1858 building reflects the character of the Victorian museum while providing modern environmental standards.

Introduction     Aberdeen & Dundee     Edinburgh, Glasgow & Inverness

Lewis & Orkney

Itineraries:

2 Days Lochness and Inverness Highland Tour

3 Days Isle of Skye Tour

5 Days Isle of Skye and Highland Tour

5 Days Tour of Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye

7 Days Edinburgh, Lake District and London

8 Days Highland Adventure

8 Days Roam around Scotland

8 Days Stay in a Scottish Castle