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- Isle of Arran
- Isle of Harris
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- Isle of Lewis
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- Orkney Islands
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- Isles of Coll & Tiree
Isle of Lewis Accommodation
Stornoway's bustling town centre
The contemporary An Llantair art gallery, cafe with harbour view & cinema
The grand Baronial Town Hall in Stornoway
Lews Castle once the Lewis laird's house. Woodland walks surround the castle.
Stornoway Golf Club in the castle's grounds welcome visitors
Museum Nan Eilean the centre for all Lewis and gaelic history and culture
Plenty of eateries in Stornoway including a range of different cuisine - mexican anyone!Stornoway Sightseeing Isle of Lewis Outer Hebrides Western Isles
Stornoway is the urban epicentre for these parts, with a wide choice of shops, both local and independent and national chains, a tourist information office and a museum, a modern art gallery and cinema complex. There are several specialist food outlets where you can purchase the local produce like the excellent Stornoway Black or White Pudding.
Ferries bring visitors to Stornoway over from Ullapool on the Scottish mainland and Stornoway Airport is served by flights from several main airports.
Stornoway Lewis Tourist Information
Stornoway has a long history as its natural harbour has meant it's had an important role for the many civilisations that have inhabited the islands. The town has grown from those roots and today is the commercial and social hub of the islands. The town hall with it many turrets and spires dominates the commercial centre.
The castle that dominates the skyline around the harbour was built in mid nineteenth century but has been the site of a castle since 1100. Lews Castle was built by the Mathesons who purchased the islands in 1844. It was gifted back to the people of Stornoway by Lord Leverhulme in 1923 just five years after he bought the island. It is not open to the public but the Stornoway Trust Rangers do run guided walks in and around the castle grounds. Unusually for Lewis the castle is surrounded by woodland which makes a change from the moorland and bog landscape on the rest of the island. The castle's grounds are also the site for one of the biggest events of the year - Hebridean Celtic Festival - HebFest.
Stornoway Tourist Information Centre, 26 Cromwell Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2DD. Tel: 01851 703088. Fax: 01851 705244. Open all year.
Being the main town there is a good range of places to eat and drink with several bars, cafes and restaurants including a Thai and an Indian restaurant. There are several B&Bs and hotels scattered around the town and on its outskirts.
Stornoway Museums & An Llanntair Art Gallery Harris Tweed Centre
Museum Nan Eilean on Francis Street illustrates the archaeology, social, domestic and economic history of the Outer Hebrides through a collection of artefacts, photographs, paintings and archives. Regular events are also held at the museum including art and photographic exhibitions as well as demonstration and activity days. Open Apr-Sept Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Oct-Mar Tues-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm.
Ironically the Lewis Loom Centre that tells the history of Harris Tweed is on Lewis in Stornoway on Cromwell Street. Housed in the Old Grainstore the eccentric owner gives guided tours and accompanied by presentations on the making of Harris Tweed. You can also see demonstrations of the whole process from spinning wheels, warding, dyeing, the hand loom right through to the weaving the tweed. There is also a craft gift shop. Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. The Old Grainstore 3 Bayhead, Isle of Lewis, Stornoway, Western Isles HS1 2DU.
An Lanntair is the modern Islands Arts Centre on the waterfront of Stornoway Harbour, not far from the ferry terminal. The gallery space exhibits temporary art exhibitions and there is a 250 seat auditorium, cinema and a cafe/bar.
Stornoway Golf Club
Stornoway is within the grounds of Lews Castle very near the centre of town. It was founded in 1890 when it was where Stornoway Airport now stands. It is an 18-hole parkland course with panoramic views of Stornoway Harbour and the Minch.
The Club has a shop, practice nets, short game practice area and putting green.
The Secretary, Stornoway Golf Club, Lady Lever Park, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland HS2 0XP. Tel: 01851 702240. Email: admin@stornowaygolfclub.co.uk
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