Lewis Sight Seeing Information

North East Lewis - Butt of Lewis & Port of Nis

The A857 road stretches along the northwest Lewis coast. Inland is a huge expanse of peatbog some of which is cut for fuel and you'll see the cuttings and stacks of peat as you travel along. The bog is a remote wilderness yet it's an important habitat in its own right and a breeding ground for red-throated divers, black-throated divers, golden plover, dunlin and greenshank. A conflict with these interests exists in that the area has been earmarked for a wind farm which will supply sustainable electricity for the island as well as jobs for the local communities. So which argument will win? Conserving important habitats or providing sustainable energy to a remote community in need of the injection of investment?

Ultimately the road ends at the Port of Nis, the most easterly point on Lewis. There is a harbour here and large car park down a narrow track beside the beautiful sandy and rocky beach. Surfers can be seen here in all weathers tackling the Atlantic surf. On the main road in the settlement of Nis is the Comun Eachdraidh Nis (Ness Heritage Centre) that highlights the social history of the area. Check the link right for their comprehensive website for a good guide to community life through the ages. Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (Ness Historical Society), Ness Heritage Centre, Habost, Ness Isle of Lewis, Scotland HS2 0TG.

Nearby off to the north through Europie is the Butt of Lewis featured in shipping forecasts. This is a good place for seeing seabirds nesting on the steep cliffs and skuas and gannets feeding out at sea. You might even spot some seals or whales from here. The red brick lighthouse is another Stevenson lighthouse but it isn't open to the public. There are some gorgeous coastal views from here although it can be extremely blustery. Men from Nis have travelled 40 miles north to the uninhabited island of Sula Sgeir to cull gannets to supplement their food for centuries. This still goes on today under special licence from Scottish Natural Heritage as Sula Sjeir and Rona are protected as a National Nature Reserve.

Harbour View Gallery at the Port of Nis displays works by local artist Anthony J Barber and further west along the main road you'll come to Morven Gallery that displays a range of paintings and photographic works reflecting the Hebridean landscapes and seascapes. It is open between Apr-Oct Tues-Sat 10.30am-5 pm. It is also a handy stopping off point for The Gallery Cafe that serves tea, coffee and home baking.

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Historic Sights - Clach an Truiseil & Steinacleit

Three miles further west from the Morvern Gallery just off the A857 is the 6 metre high Clach an Truiseil standing stone. There is a small pull-in near the stone but not much room for parking. This is the tallest standing stone in Scotland and it is estimated there's another 2 metres underground. Its purpose is still a mystery although it is believed to be Neolithic or Bronze Age in origin.

There are a series of prehistoric sites in this area and a mile up the road is Steinacleit. This is presumed to be a chambered cairn although it has never been excavated.

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West Lewis - Bernaraigh (Bernera)

There's not much more of Lewis that can be explored by car as there are so few roads across the bogs. A B-road heading west from the Calanais area takes you through more of Lewis' remote interior bog country and up to the Uig coast. You can also visit Bernaraigh (Bernera) that is an island just offshore but was joined to the mainland by a bridge in 1953. Bernera is a rocky island and is currently owned by the extravagantly named Comte Robin de la Lanne Mirlees, the inspiration for Ian Fleming's James Bond.

Bernera has played an important role in Lewis' history. Most notably the Bernera Riot in 1874 was when crofters defied eviction orders from Sir James Matheson and when three men were arrested others marched to Stornoway to the Laird's house, Lews Castle, and demanded to be seen. The laird blamed on his factor Donald Munro and the crofters were acquitted. A stone built cairn stands as a memorial to the riot at the crossroads outside Breaclete.

Bernera Museum is based in Breaclete in the community centre and holds family archives, a collection of old photographs, audio and video tapes, and material relating to local fishing. Above the bay is the replica Iron Age House that was built after a late Iron Age or Pictish settlement dating from the 7-8th century was exposed by gale force winds. It was excavated by a team from Edinburgh University but covered again to protect it from the elements. The replica shows how spacious these houses were. Opening times vary so check with the Tourist Information Office in Stornoway.

Bernera Museum, Bosta, Bernera, Isle of Lewis, Western Isles HS2 9LT. Tel: 01851 612331. EMail: norcesb@aol.com.

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West Lewis - Uig Lewis Chessmen

Travelling on towards Uig the landscape is much hillier and dramatic with beautiful sandy beaches like at Uig Sands. Uig is a remote settlement on the far north western coast of Lewis. It was hit heavily by The Clearances and you can find out more from the Uig Heritage Centre.

You can also see replicas of the Lewis Chessmen at the Heritage Centre. These were discovered at Uig Sands in a stone structure by a local man in 1831 who thought he'd stumbled across a hoard of fairies or elves. Seventy eight chess pieces plus fifteen other items were found. The chesspieces were carved out of walrus ivory and date from the 12th century. It is thought they were made by the Vikings in Trondheim, Norway.

Replicas of the chessmen are held at Uig Museum, Uig Community & Heritage Centre, Crowlista, Uig Isle of Lewis HS2 9JG. Tel: Tel: 01851 672456.

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