Photos and the City

Slow travel & photography

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

Nisabost Beach, Traigh Nisabos in Scottish – is one of the amazing and stunning beaches on the West side of the Isle of Harris. It was my 2nd day and I wanted to go on a little walk from Nisabost beach to a standing stone on a hill above the beach.

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

This was actually my second try to do this little hike, as it was raining before and I turned back halfway up the hill and went for a coffee at Talla na mara nearby. This is a restaurant, there are artist studios and galleries. Definitely would recommend a visit!

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

Back to the beach and up to another try going up the hill and then down on the other side will bring me to another stunning beach Traigh lar.

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

Macleod’s Stone

Clach Mhic Leoid is a standing stone with an amazing backdrop. The stone probably dates back to the Neolithic area and was used for rituals, including funerary rites. Other stones near the standing stone are believed to be the remains of a cairn.

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

Macleod´s Stone and there should also be an amazing view of Traigh Lar, but the rain was coming in quickly.

Walking from Nisabost beach to Mc Leod´s stone in Harris.

So in the end I didn´t walk down to Traigh lar but got drenched a second time that day.

 

Hello Stornoway, hello Lewis! I had some time to explore this lovely town before driving to my first accommodation right on the border between Lewis and Harris.

Hello Stornoway! 1

I parked near the ferry and walked along the harbour towards Lews Castle.

Hello Stornoway! 2

Stornoway is filled with a variety of independent shops, cafés and restaurants and is very lively. It also is the main town and capital in Lewis & Harris with some huge supermarkets.

Founded by the Vikings in the early 9th century around a natural harbour, the city soon became a hub for people travelling and trading with the rest of Scotland.

Hello Stornoway! 3Hello Stornoway! 4

James IV transferred Lewis to the MacKenzies of Seaforth in 1610 to further support the trading.

Hello Stornoway! 5

In 1844, the MacKenzies sold Stornoway, and the Isle of Lewis as a whole, to Sir James Matheson (and his descendants) who built the present Lews Castle on a hill overlooking the bay of Stornoway. (Wikipedia)

Hello Stornoway! 6

Today Stornoway belongs to the people.

In 1918, Matheson sold the island to William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme. Lord Leverhulme held the island for a short time. His economic plans for the island (together with various business setbacks) overstretched his finances. Faced with failure in Lewis, he gave Stornoway parish to the people of the town. The Stornoway Trust was formed and continues to administer the parish for the people. (Wikipedia)

Hello Stornoway! 7

Hello Stornoway! 8

Lews Castle today houses a museum and also offers holiday-let rooms and apartments. The view over the town from the rooms must be amazing!

Hello Stornoway! 9

Hello Stornoway! 10

On my way towards the border between Harris and Lewis, I made a stop at Crust – great Neapolitan-style pizza in the middle of Lewis. Enjoy some pizza with an amazing view!

Hello Stornoway! 11

Early next morning, after my lovely day in Ullapool, it was time to get in line for the ferry and cross from Ullapool to Lewis & Harris.

Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.

Bye Ullapool – it was a bit of a moody morning. The first part of the journey was pretty similar to my boat trip the day before, the ferry made its way towards the Summer Isles before going towards the Outer Hebrides.

Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.

At one point the ferry was accompanied by a school of dolphins.

Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.

The first glimpse of Lewis and there was sunshine!

Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.Ferry crossing from Ullapool to Lewis and Harris in Scotland.

Arrived at Stornoway.