Photos and the City

Slow travel & photography

Eoropie –  the most northern village in the Isle of Lewis. I basically came for two things, the beach and St Moluag’s church.

Teampall Mholuaidh (St Moluag´s church)

Walking along Eoropie beach.

Constructed somewhen between the 12th and 16th century, this little church looks so whimsical, sitting within all the wildflowers. I couldn´t go inside as the church was closed but enjoyed a little walk around the church.

The church is associated as a place with healing powers, especially for mental health.

Many people were brought here in the hope of healing, and even those who could not reach the church sent wooden effigies of their afflicted parts. (wikipedia)

A visitor in 1603 noted that people had sent portions of their lame arms or legs to have lain under the saint.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

Eoropie Beach

The first thing you see, even before reaching the dunes is a huge playground. It really is a huge and fabulous playground for all ages. During the week there even seems to be a little kiosk for hot drinks and snacks.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

I walked through the dunes and arrived at the endless (and pretty empty) beach.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

 

You will understand the next photo if you have read the “Lewis Trilogy” by Peter May – in these books set in Lewis he always talks about the big churches “looming” over the villages and while driving through Lewis I really understood these words.

Walking along Eoropie beach.

 

From Ness I continued to drive towards the Butt of Lewis – there is also a stunning walk all around the coastline but I decided to do this another time and just walk along a few stops.

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Port Stoth

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Along the single track to the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse, I found one of my favourite beaches – Port Stoth. White shell beach and turquoise water.

Because of it’s proximity to the lighthouse and lack of roads, all the materials for the construction (between 1859 and 1862) were brought by ship and landed in here. (Visit Outer Hebrides)

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Spot the cute dog.

Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

I parked the car at the lighthouse and continued walking along the cliffs toward the site of Eoropie. Just watching the bird and the waves.

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Europe’s most northwesterly point can be pretty wild. I saw images of waves coming over the cliffs. The Butt of Lewis is also the most northern tip of the Outer Hebrides and according to the Guinness Book of Records the windiest place in the UK. So be careful when you open your car doors!

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

The lighthouse was built in 1862 by David and Thomas Stevenson.

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

This remote location is a rugged and wild landscape.  The Butt of Lewis is a collection of rocks and sea stacks with cliffs that rise 20-30metres above the boiling sea below.  Even on a calm day the water smashes into the rocks and the wind howls across the cliff tops. (Meanderingwild.com)

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Walking along the Butt of Lewis

Butt of Lewis 1

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

I arrived in Ness – as it was a Sunday everything was closed and pretty empty. I used the low tide for a long walk on the impressive beach right next to the harbour of Ness.

In the shelter of a rocky islet at Port of Ness, you will find the little harbour that has seen the local seamen off on many a mission, including the traditional annual journey to the island of Sula Sgeir where locals are licensed to capture gannet for food following in their ancestors’ traditional footsteps. (Visit Outer Hebrides)

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

At the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis lies the parish of Ness, offering a unique insight into the legends, lore and long-observed traditions that have shaped the island’s unique identity – as well as being a stronghold of the Gaelic language with a large majority of locals claiming Gaelic as their mother tongue. (Visit Outer Hebrides)

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

Per usual dark clouds on one side and blue sky on the other one – that´s just how it is.

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.

Met a local cutie for a bit of fetch.

Walking along Ness harbour and beach.