Lewis and Harris Hotspots!

Lewis and Harris 14

Vicster May 31, 2006 14:27:39

Right, I'm fookin sick of all of the bitching and hollering going on on here at the moment, so instead, I invite those of you who have been lucky enough to visit the wonderful isles of Lewis and Harris to offer a TMA guide to the "must-do" sites, sounds and vibes.

Here are mine: (I've left out the most obvious one....)

1) Clach an Trushal. An absolute must and a joy to behold; after all of those mesmerising circles, it's ace to see this HUGE piece of stone, overlooking the sea.

2) Sgarasta. After Lewis, Harris seems a little bereft of sites but this is a beauty.

3) Cnoc Fillibhear Bheag. An outstanding circle, in an amazing setting.

4) Cnoc Ceann a'Gharraidh. The amazing triangular stone!

5) Ceann Hulavig. This site blew me away, you get to look over the landscape and just get a "feeling" for the whole island.

6) The Thai Cafe - a Thai restaurant? On Lewis? You betcha and it's cheap, cheerful and great food!

Right, can we now have some feel-good, positive posts and stop with the shitty attitudes, please? Ta!

Vxx

ryaner May 31, 2006 15:05:10

Replying to Vicster

Yay for you Vicster! Never been to Lewis or Harris but might head there for the Thai restaurant. ;-)

Kammer May 31, 2006 15:34:17

Replying to Vicster

I'd strongly recommend Na Dromannan (aka Callanish X):

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/2965

It's a beautiful spot to be.

K x

goffik May 31, 2006 15:55:03

Replying to Vicster

My first recommendation, in addition to those already mentioned, has to be <a href="http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/568">Cleitir</a> (or Bernera Bridge)... Fantastically located site...

G x

Jane Jun 1, 2006 13:14:28

Replying to Vicster

Hmmm! What a great thread. More sharing of knowledge and ideas. I like that.

I look forward to seeing all these Hebridean lovelies next month :-) You June visitors: make sure you keep them warm for us!
J
x

follow that cow Jun 1, 2006 19:27:52

Replying to Vicster

I much prefer the flatness and 'strangeness' of Lewis to the more traditional Western Isle 'look' of Harris.

Apart from the obvious megalithic sites, the places I would recommend would be the harbour at Ness at dusk (11pm.ish) where the fulmars nest at head height in the craggy rocks at the back of the shore. Famous book and film called 'The Men of Ness' set here, all about the annual expedition, in rowing boats, out into the Atlantic to collect the Gannet chicks (gugar?) from island cliffs. And for the young at heart there is probably the best swingpark (anywhere!) funded by the EEC and in pristine condition set in the sand dunes between the Port and the lighthouse. Just don't get caught on the jungle slides on a Sunday.

Visit the beaches at Uig for two reasons, 1/ every time you see a picture of a Lewis chessmen you can say 'Oh, I've been to the beach where they were found!' and 2/ To make your dog happy. If you don't have a dog, then borrow someones, 'cause this is dog heaven, they can run for miles along the deserted beaches. No hassles, not a care in the world.

The Iron Age village at Borsta, Great Bernara, is well worth a visit. They had an eye for a location with a veiw, these Iron age folks! What a magical and tranquil place to pass ones days. Last time I was there there was a huge bloated cetacaen decaying on the beach. The fruits of the sea.

I'm really looking forward to being there on the 11th, it's going to cost at such short notice, but what the heck, you're a long time dead!

:-) see you all there!

frostygirl Jun 5, 2006 16:16:50

Replying to Vicster

Hi there, being very bored at work untill coming across this cool site.
Had the pleasure of visiting Callanish on Lewis a couple of years back and WOW what a place!!
So a big Hello to anyone going this weekend for the lunar standstill
See you there. :- )