Sights in Lewis (Leodhais)
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Callanish Standing Stones
The Callanish Standing Stones, 15 miles west of Stornoway on the A858 road, form one of the most complete stone circles in Britain and are one of the most atmospheric prehistoric sites anywhere. Its ageless mystery, impressive scale and undeniable beauty leave a lasting impression. Sited on a wild and secluded promontory overlooking Loch Roag, 13 large stones of beautifully banded gneiss are arranged, as if in worship, around a 4.5m-tall central monolith. Some 40 smaller stones radiate from the circle in the shape of a cross, with the remains of a chambered tomb at the centre. Dating from 3800 to 5000 years ago, the stones are roughly contemporary with the pyramids of Egy…
reviewed
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Arnol Blackhouse
One of Scotland’s most evocative historic buildings, the Arnol Blackhouse is not so much a museum as a perfectly preserved fragment of a lost world. Built in 1885, this traditional blackhouse – a combined byre, barn and home – was inhabited until 1964 and has not been changed since the last inhabitant moved out. The staff faithfully rekindle the central peat fire every morning so you can experience the distinctive peat-reek; there’s no chimney, and the smoke finds its own way out through the turf roof, windows and door – spend too long inside and you might feel like you’ve been kippered! The museum is just off the A858, about 3 miles west of Barvas.
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A
Lewis Castle
The Baronial mansion across the harbour was built in the 1840s for the Matheson family, then owners of Lewis. It was gifted to the community by Lord Leverhulme in 1923 and was home to the local college for 40 years, but has lain empty since 1997 (the college now occupies modern buildings in the castle grounds); it is now slated for development as a museum and hotel. The beautiful grounds are open to the public and host the Hebridean Celtic Festival.
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Iron Age House
In 1996 archaeologists excavated an entire Iron Age village at the head of Bosta beach. Afterwards, the village was reburied for protection, but a reconstruction of an Iron Age house now sits nearby. Stand around the peat fire, above which strips of mutton are being smoked, while the custodian explains the domestic arrangements – truly fascinating, and well worth the trip.
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B
An Lanntair Art Centre
The modern, purpose-built An Lanntair Art Centre, complete with art gallery, theatre, cinema and restaurant, is the centre of the town’s cultural life; it hosts changing exhibitions of contemporary art and is a good source of information on cultural events.
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Calanais Visitor Centre
The Calanais Visitor Centre is a tour de force of discreet design. Inside is a small exhibition that speculates on the origins and purpose of the stones, and an excellent café (snacks £1 to £5).
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C
Museum nan Eilean
This museum strings together a loose history of the Outer Hebrides from the earliest human settlements some 9000 years ago to the 20th century, exploring traditional island life and the changes inflicted by progress and technology.
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St Columba’s Church
The roofless ruin of the 14th-century St Columba’s Church, 4 miles east of town on the Eye peninsula, features the grave slabs of Roderick McLeod, 7th clan chief (around 1498), and his daughter (1503).
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Doune Broch Centre
The tiny, turf-roofed Doune Broch Centre has interpretative displays and exhibitions about the history of the broch and the life of the people who lived there.
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Blackhouse Museum
The Blackhouse Museum is a traditional 1955 blackhouse with displays on the village’s history.
reviewed
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