Scenic Lewis

Experience the spectacular scenery of Lewis and the remarkable Standing Stones at Callanish.

Your excursion begins in Stornoway, which is situated in the Western Isles, one of Britain's most beautiful and remote areas. The 130 mile long chain of islands lies to the north-west of Scotland, on the edge of Europe and bordering the wide Atlantic Ocean. Steeped in history, the islands have been inhabited for over 6,000 years. The combinations of land, sea and inland water found in the Western Isles have produced landscapes of national and international importance.

Traveling by coach, you'll make your way across the center of the island of Lewis, viewing a landscape of rolling moorland, low-lying hills and innumerable tiny lochs en route to the fishing village of Garynahine. Further along, you'll pass Loch Roag, an inlet of the Atlantic, and slightly to the north from here are the Standing Stones at Callanish, the location of your first stop. The stones here form the most remarkable antiquity in the Western Isles, being exceeded in importance only by Stonehenge. It is a truly dramatic place, set in moor-land overlooking the loch and surrounded by hills. There is a well-marked megalithic avenue comprising 19 monoliths, ending in a circle of 13 stones, with rows of other stones fanning out which probably are the remains of additional circles.

There are 47 stones remaining, the tallest rising to over 15 feet, and within the central circle is a cairn where the remains of a cremation were found. It was not until 1857, when five feet of peat was dug away, that the original height and extent of the stones was seen. Various theories exist regarding their true purpose and at present, the astro-archaeological one seems the most credible. During your visit, you can walk around the field-like terrain for close-up views of the Stones and great photo opportunities are plentiful.

Re-boarding your coach, you will continue along the coastal route to Arnol where you will have a brief photo stop to see the Black Houses. These structures were warm, dry and quiet when the wind outside howled.

The dominant feature of Lewis is the dark, undulating central peat moor, scattered with hundreds of shallow lochs. Although not necessarily common today, peat is still used in the heating of some homes, and along your route you'll pass areas where it is cut and gathered. The cutting takes place in the early summer, when the moor becomes alive with families engaged in this work. Later, when the cut peat has dried, it is carried away from the banks in sacks, barrows, car boots and modified tractors and trailers to later be used as fuel.

Your circular route brings you back to the pier in Stornoway where your tour concludes.