Photos and the City

Category: Sotland

  • Hello Stornoway!

    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

  • Ferry Crossing to Lewis

    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.

  • Summer Isles Boattrip

    For my 2nd day in Ullapool, I planned a special treat – a boat trip to the Summer Isles. The Summer Isles are a group of small islands lying in the mouth of Loch Broom. Today none of the islands are inhabited, the last inhabited one was Tanera Mòr, which is also the largest one.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Leaving from Ullapool we quickly met the first (of many highlights) seals enjoying a nap.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Shortly afterwards everyone was looking out for sea eagles, we actually saw a tiny one, but I didn´t manage to take a picture but seeing it was more than enough!

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Rhue Lighthouse seen from the sea.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The Summer Isles and meeting the first school of Dolphins.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    They were a bit shy and didn´t come too close to the boat, our captain told us that this school was still recovering from a traumatic event which happened a few days earlier and we also moved on pretty quickly to not disturb them too much.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The ferry going to Lewis.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    And suddenly the next school of dolphins said hello. These weren’t shy at all and played close around the boat.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The dolphins said goodbye and we moved on towards one of the isles.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Turning around and going back to Ullapool.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    If you´re ever in Ullapool, I would definitely recommend going on a boat trip, it was a stunning drive and seeing all the wildlife was just amazing.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!