Scotland home of some of the most breath-taking scenery in Britain is a popular tourist destination. Most people end up visiting Edinburgh and often will include some of the famous and iconic areas for example – Loch Ness and the beautiful Highlands.
However often overlooked are the stunning isles that make up the Hebride Islands. They are packed with glorious scenery and lots of hidden gems. For example do the million people a year that visit Stonehenge, realise there is also a magnificent Stone Circle, The Standing Stones of Callanish found on the wonderful island of Lewis?
We found a lovely non-commercial site run by Graham and Chris with some amazing photos taken by them of the area which is well worth a visit –here is an extract:
Western Isles – Isle of Harris – Isle of Lewis
The Blackhouse at Arnol – Isle of Lewis
In the village of Arnol – Isle of Lewis blackhouses stand side by side with the more modern dwellings nicknamed “whitehouses”.
The blackhouses were dwellings which had straw thatched roofs and included areas where the animals or livestock were housed. There were no chimneys – and a peat fire was kept burning in the central living and kitchen area.
“Whitehouses” really only came into existence later when legal pressures and health regulations started to demand that the livestock should be housed in separate dwellings.
For further reading go to – www.virtualheb.co.uk/blackhouses-isle-of-lewis-arnol/
Graham and Chris’s photos are some of the best I have seen of the area and they kindly allow people to use them for free – many thanks to them and this shows the warm welcome you will get visiting the splendid islands.
You can also find helpful information at the official Scottish Government site – Visit Scotland
Visit Scotland – The Outer Hebrides
www.visitscotland.comWe have also found a great 6 day tour that includes some days on the beautiful Islands.
6 Day Tour of the Islands of the Outer Hebrides and Skye
Get away from it all with this magnificent adventure to the Outer Hebridean Islands of Lewis and Harris, home to pre-historic stone circles of Callanish and the famous white sandy beaches of Harris. Your tour will also include magical Isle of Skye
On day one include Dunkeld for a short forest walk to the Hermitage waterfalls, lunch in the Spey Valley overlooked by the Cairngorm Mountains, Loch Ness and the Corrieshalloch Gorge
Your overnight stop is the west coast fishing port of Ullapool
Your ferry will take you past the Summer Isles to the Isle of Lewis with opportunities to see dolphins, whales and seabirds
You are on the north west edge of Europe now and your afternoon is spent exploring historic blackhouses, crofting townships and the Butt of Lewis. 2 nights in Stornoway, capital of the Western Isles
Day three includes the pre-historic stone broch at Dun Carloway, Gearrannan blackhouse village, the famous Callanish stone circles and the remote beaches and communities of Great Bernera or Uig
This is the wilderness of the Western Isles at its finest
Next you explore the Isle of Harris, famous for its locally produced Harris Tweed, and home to the highest mountains in the Outer Hebrides and the stunning white sands of Luskentyre
Stunning white sands of Luskentyre
Following a visit to the historic 16th century church at Rodel and lunch in nearby Leverburgh you travel over the sea to Skye, for your overnight stay in the picturesque town of Portree
Day five is a very flexible day on Skye. You will discover the stunning Quiraing mountain pass and enjoy a spectacular walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery
Neist Point for a walk out to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye. We return you to your accommodation in Portree
On the last day your return to Edinburgh has many highlights – the Cuillin Mountains of Skye, a visit to Eilean Donan Castle, Fort William, the dramatic scenery and dark history of Glencoe and the Falls of Dochart at Killin
An adventure to remember forever
We found this at and many thanks to them – www.bestvaluetours.co.uk
