Photos and the City

Tag: Lewis

  • Another day in Stornoway

    It was a rainy day on the border between Harris and Lewis, but it looked a bit drier in Stornoway, so I decided to visit this lovely town another time. I also toyed with the idea of getting some wellies.

    I was lucky, as soon as I crossed some of the mountains the sun came out.

    Walking around Stornoway in Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

    I started my walk around town in the harbour and discovered this impressive monument remembering the sinking of the Iolaire on 1 January 1919 right in the Minch before Stornoway. One of the worst maritime disasters in United Kingdom waters.

    This monument was erected for the 100th anniversary of the sinking.

    Walking around Stornoway in Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

    A friendly fisherman greeting you on the other side of the harbour, vis a vis from Lews castle.

    Walking around Stornoway in Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

    The brewery at the edge of the world seemed to have moved…

    Walking around Stornoway in Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

    Another ferry arrived and brought lots of happy tourists ready to explore Harris & Lewis.

    Walking around Stornoway in Lewis, Outer Hebrides.

    And one of my favourite statues in Stornoway, the “Herring Girl”, or better said one of the “Herring Girls” statues – remembering all the women working in the fishing industry. For almost 100 years, from 1850 up to WWII, more than 3000 of the island’s women were employed in the industry as “Herring Girls”.

     

  • 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.