Self Catering Cottages Scotland Harris and Lewis

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Fantastic Days out to the Isle of Lewis

Great Bernera and The Callanish Standing stones

Within easy reach of the Isle of Harris is Great Bernera within Loch Roag on the north-west coast of Lewis linked by toll free road bridge. The main settlement on the island is Breaclete (Scottish Gaelic: Breacleit), home to a small museum. Since 1962, the island has been owned by Prince Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees, a former Queen's Herald, who is recognised as Laird of Bernera. Bernera is also known for its Iron Age (or possibly Pictish) settlement at Bostadh, discovered in 1992 and now covered by sand to preserve it. A replica Iron Age house matching those now buried is sited nearby. The island was the location of the Bernera Riot, where crofters resisted the Highland clearances. The main industry on Bernera today is lobster-fishing, with a fish processing plant at Kirkibost. There are still some weavers but it is no longer one of the main industries. The island now boasts a museum, a shop, post office and also petrol pumps. The present Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling owns a converted blackhouse on the island, and has ancestral connections with the area through his mother

Great Bernera and the Callanish standing stones

While visiting Great Bernera you should also visit The Callanish Stones situated near the village of Callanish on the west coast. Dating from around 2000 BC, the 13 primary stones form a circle about 13 m in diameter, with a long approach avenue of stones to the north, and shorter stone rows to the east, south, and west (possibly incomplete avenues). The overall layout of the monument recalls a distorted Celtic cross. The individual stones vary from around 1 m to 5 m in height, with an average of 4 m, and are of the local Lewisian gneiss. The first written reference to the stones was by Lewis native John Morisone, who in c. 1680 wrote that "great stones standing up in ranks [...] were set up in place for devotione". The tallest of the stones marks the entrance to a burial cairn where human remains have been discovered. Pottery finds suggested a date of 2200 BC for the erection of the circle. It has been speculated, among other theories, that the stones form a calendar system based on the position of the moon.

The Gearrannan Black House village

This amazing gem can be accessed in just over 1 hour from the Isle of Harris, The Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is situated on the west coast of Lewis, next to an Atlantic Bay and surrounded by traditional crofting landscape. The restored village with some 21st century residents! has an authentic working museum within one of the restored cottages. The houses are built by drystone masonry with thatched roofs and are the last group of traditional dwellings to survive in Lewis, there is also a Museum cafe and shop on site.

Panorama of the black house village and interior images of a real black house

Port Ness and the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

While visiting the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village it is well worth a trip up to Port Ness and the Butt of Lewis in the far North West of Lewis, after taking in the many amazing beaches and sandy coves on the journey there, you will reach in easy stages Port Ness and it's lovely harbour and beautiful sandy beaches. 2 miles to the west of here you can also reach by safe tarmac track the "Butt of Lewis" point and lighthouse offering spectacular views out to the North Sea similar to those of Cape Wrath and Dunnet Head

Port Ness Harbour and views of the beaches, the Butt of Lewis and it's lighthouse

Tarbert and Stornoway

There is plenty to see and do in your most small town and ferry port Tarbert, well stocked facilities ranging from Hairdressers, greengrocer, general store, post office, crafts stores and tourist information to fish and chip takeaway, tea rooms, restaurants and hotels.

Further afield is the principal town of the outer hebrides Stornoway where you will find supermarkets, high street stores, restaurants, craft shops, banks, leisure centres and just about every other facility you would expect to find in a large town. Stornoway is a very busy fishing port with fresh fish landed by the hour, the town also has it's own airport, 18 hole golf course, castle and gardens where you can often see seals and porpoises swiming in the harbour

Tarbert Ferry port (Harris) and views of Stornoway, it's castle and Harbour

The scenery is magnificent and varied, ranging from rugged rocky hills to gentle orchid strewn meadows, from mountainous sand dunes and unsurpassable beaches bordering blue green seas to Atlantic breakers on the rocky west coast of Lewis.

There are numerous art galleries, potteries and tea rooms in Harris and Lewis plus places of historical and archaeological interest such as the historic Rodel Chapel (3 miles from the cottage) in South Harris and Carloway Broch, the Black Houses at Arnol and Garenin and the spectacular 5,000 year old Callanish Standing Stones (plus excellent Visitor Centre and tea room) in Lewis.

The famous Harris tweed is made all over Harris and Lewis. It can be bought in many of the islands' shops and also direct from the weavers at Luskentyre or Plocrapool. The very first tweed was actually woven within sight of the cottage - you can find the plaque marking the spot down by the seashore!

For those without a car, one can hire bikes (01859 520319) or there is a very good bus service covering most of the island which is available Monday to Saturdays.

The nearest town is Tarbert (22 miles) with it’s ferry terminal, small supermarket, Tourist Information Office and new Leisure Centre. You will also find the Harris Hotel + restaurant and the Harris Inn. It is also the gateway to Scalpay - an island now connected to Harris/Lewis by a bridge - well worth a visit.

The nearest major city is Stornoway in Lewis (59 miles). Because of some narrow winding roads, the journey takes approx. 1.5 hours - although the roads are being upgraded all the time. Stornoway is a busy ferry and fishing port where you will find major supermarkets and good shopping facilities. There is an excellent library, bookshops, a Tourist Information Centre, a Museum, a Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre and many good restaurants and tea rooms. A new Arts Centre “An Lanntair” (featuring excellent exhibitions and concerts) will be ready for opening in October 2005.

"Lovely views" of the North Uist Islands and the sound of Harris from this cottage.

After an exhilarating day in the fresh air or simply a relaxing day, choose whether to eat out at one of the restaurants or to eat in, taking advantage of the well equipped kitchen and enjoying the view from the window and the sunset. If you fancy being spoilt in the comfort of the cottage you can order a gourmet meal from Lena (07786 685156) who prepares delicious dishes from fresh and local ingredients and delivers them to the cottage. You can chill out, listening to music of your choice, enjoy the view or relaxing infront of the open fire.