Photos and the City

Tag: UK

  • 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.

  • Ullapool

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.

    I´ve arrived in the lovely town of Ullapool and spent my first day here just walking around the town and enjoying the little bit of buzz going on after a very quiet week in Assynt.

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.

    Looking out into the north of Scotland and also looking forward to my boat trip to the Summer Isles the next day.

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.

    One of the many ferries arriving at Ullapool and two days later it will be my ferry going to Lewis and I was already excited about that!

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.

    All the views from Ullapool. The town has a lovely selection of independent shops and cafés. I really liked the Deli and went there twice!

    Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.Walking through Ullapool in Scotland.