We had an amazing week on Lewis staying in a gorgeous little property on the west coast. You can read more about 27 Garenin here and watch a video tour of the property. There are so many great places to visit including these 10 favourite locations of ours. Which is your personal favourite?
Table of Contents
Callanish
The prehistoric standing stones at Callanish are incredibly intriguing, particularly as nobody can say for definite why they were erected. The visitor centre has a great display explaining life at the time the stone circle was created and several potential reasons as to why they were placed in this specific location and what they were used for. Rather than a simple circle, the stones are formed into a shape similar to a celtic cross and we loved getting up close to the stones and wondering why they were placed there.
Dalmore Beach
Dalmor beach is just a short drive North of Carloway, where we were staying. The beautiful sand is perfect for digging and playing in and of course there is also the sound of the Atlantic waves crashing onto the beach. Extra bonus at this beach are the toilets at the car parking area.
Bosta Iron Age House
In 1993 a storm revealed an iron age village buried in the sand dune at Bosta. After later excavations there were many interesting discoveries about the site and it was decided that a replica house should be built. The house is based on those that were discovered during excavations. The guide inside the house was extremely informative and as I was so engrossed in listening to her talk I completely forgot to take photos inside the house! Remember to bring some cash to pay for entry into the house (I think it was around £3 and adult and £2 a child), it’s well worth a visit in all weathers.
Bosta also has a beautiful beach with plenty of sand, rocks to climb and beautiful turquoise waters to paddle in (or swim in if you are brave). There are toilets at the car park and if you are hungry stop at the little cafe in Breaclete at the community hall. Very tasty food and good service!
Lews Castle – Museum Nan Eilean
When I realised that the Museum Nan Eilean at Lews Castle had some of the Lewis Chessmen on display, I had to visit. However, I didn’t expect it to be quite so exciting for the kids. I was completely wrong, the kids LOVED it! There were plenty of interactive exhibits for them to get involved in and lots of interesting anecdotes for us to read to them.
The museum is in the perfect location to explore the woodlands and Stornoway too, you could easily spend a whole day in around the museum!
Butt of Lewis
The Butt of Lewis is the most Northerly point in the Hebrides and is apparently the windiest place in the UK. That doesn’t surprise me considering the conditions when we visited it! There is a circular walk around the cliff tops where you can enjoy the interesting rock formations, cliffs and bird life.
We were also lucky enough to see dolphins just to the East of the lighthouse. They were rather active with lots of leaps out of the water and just fantastic to watch.
Uig Sands
Unfortunately the day we visited Uig was the one day of rain on our holiday. The sands must look gorgeous on a sunny day, but we could hardly see through the fog to find the beach when we arrived! It took a lot longer to find the beach than we thought, you have to drive past the petrol station to the other side of the bay and park at a campsite (very clean toilets available to use).
A short walk down to the sands and I was amazed at how far they stretched. We didn’t actually walk out to the sea as it was a fair distance away. Also, only half an hour after we arrived we had a mad dash back to the car in torrential rain, so we didn’t get to spend so much time at Uig as we had hoped.
Gearannan Blackhouse Village
Gearannan Blackhouse Village Museum consists of a refurbished blackhouse, including working loom, film, shop and cafe. We were shown how the Harris Tweed was made and the boys were rather impressed at the speed of the loom working.
The blackhouse was only a 5 minute walk from where we were staying and the boys loved visiting.
Dun Carloway Broch
Dun Carloway Broch was located a short drive from our cottage and is a rather interesting site. There is a small parking area and then a short walk to the broch. The information board tells you more information about the broch and you can explore inside easily.
The broch is dated from the 1500’s and will have been used by a family to live in and also as defense in later years. The small visitor centre just above the car park area has a great little display of what it would be like to live in the broch when it was first built.
Garenin Beach
Below the blackhouse village at Garenin is a lovely beach. Mainly pebbles, but at low tide there is plenty of sand for the kids (and big kids!) to play in. There are also plenty of rocks to climb around the bay, as our eldest had great fun doing!
Uig Museum
Whilst at Uig Sands (sheltering from the rain!) we visited the heritage museum at Timsgarry. There is a lovely community cafe with great food and a small park outside. The museum itself has information on the Lewis Chessmen that were found in the nearby sand dunes as well as information on the area’s history.
The museum is only small, but there is a lot of information packed in! Great place to combine a visit to the sands along with lunch at the cafe.
Hebridean Video
We filmed some of our Hebridean adventures and you can watch some of our highlights below.
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Have you visited any of these places on Lewis?
Plutonium Sox says
What a fascinating place to visit. We are desperate to get to Lewis, hopefully we’ll make it next year because it looks unlikely that it will be this year now. Your dolphin photo is amazing and makes me even more keen to go!
Nat.x
fancy says
Liking the look of this spot. Beautifully photographed too x
Heather Keet says
I want to got to ALL these places! #bigpinklink
Tracey Abrahams says
What an amazing place to visit. Beautiful and steeped in history. This is my sort of holiday destination. #bigpinklink
The Tale of Mummyhood says
This place look amazing, gorgeous photos! #bigpinklink
mums' army says
Wow what amazing photographs!! Dophin shot is awesome!! Looks like there is lots to see and do to keep everyone satisfied and entertained. Nicky xx #bigpinklink
Petite Words says
Wow, I’d never heard of this place! It looks magical. Wonderful photos by the way. #bigpinklink
Mama Grace says
What a place! We saw dolphins in Padstow, so cool. Love the British coast. #bigpinklink
kristin mccarthy says
such a cool adventure!
#bigpinklink
Aleena says
I love all things like this – outdoors, history, culture and (strangely?) caves! I just love caves haha!! What a brill list! #bigpinklink
Ann from Rainbows are too beautiful says
Can’t go wrong with a ruin and a beach! Looks fab #bigpinklink
Nursery Whines says
Dolphins? In Scotland? Who knew?! Your kids are going to be so cultured. And all that lovely fresh sea air to boot, what a great family holiday. #bigpinklink
Nursery Whines says
Dolphins? In Scotland! Who knew?! Your kids are going to be so cultured. And all that lovely fresh sea air to boot! What a great family holiday. #bigpinklink
Musings of a tired mummy...zzz... says
I had no idea there was so much to see and do, great post and lovely photos #bigpinklink
Tubbs says
This looks so amazing. Another place for my travel bucket list
Helen Gandy says
What a fab list of places to visit! Thanks for hosting #bigpinklink
Meals and Makes says
Fab photos. Those beaches look lovely- it must have been brilliant to actually see dolphins! What a great place to explore! #bigpinklink
Sadie says
This all looks so good. I’d love to explore more of the islands, and I’m always so struck by the beautiful beaches!
#AnythingGoes
Mrs Mummy Harris says
We recently went to wales and have been all over England, we have every intention of going to Scotland sometime soon so this comes in handy as inspiration, plus your photos really do the place justice! #bigpinklink
Sadie says
Urgh, #BigPinkLink rather…sorry, head is mince!
Lexie says
These pictures are fantastic! My husband and I would love to travel to the UK. (We are in Wisconsin, USA) At this point, we just want to wait until our son is old enough to remember. Thank you for letting me travel vicariously through you. 🙂
Muffin top mummy says
There’s so much to see and do – I wouldn’t know where to start! Great post and I’m loving the pictures #bigpinklink
Susie/So Happy In Town says
I’d love to go to Lewis – even though I’m from Edinburgh, I have never been the Hebridean islands which is awful but Lewis is on my hit list. Looks beautiful #bigpinklink
Becky - MommyandRory says
It looks like there’s some really fantastic places to visit and what fantastic views!
#BigPinkLink
MomOfTwoLittleGirls says
What a great post – you did so much! Impressive. I love all things historical so this would be an awesome trip for me!
#bigpinklink
Catherine - Kids Versus Copy says
What a stunning collection of places to visit! The pictures are fantastic too! xx #bigpinklink
Surrey mana says
This looks like a wonderful holiday and I didn’t know it was the windiest place in the UK! #bigpinklink
five little doves says
Wow what a gorgeous place to visit! There is so much to do and your photos are all amazing! I’m not keen on the wind idea, I’m always cold, but I’d still love to try it! #bigpinklink
Tooting Mama says
Wow it’s a simply amazing place, and there’s so much to do out there. You all look so snuggled up enjoying the fresh Lewis air! #bigpinklink
Kirsty says
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. The photo of the dolphin is brilliant! So well captured. #BigPinkLink
Silly Mummy says
Never been further than Edinburgh Scotland-wise – but must explore more one day! It looks beautiful up there. #bigpinklink
Laura @ Dot Makes 4 says
Great post! There’s so much to see and do! I love the pictures 🙂
#bigpinklink