Low stone cottages called blackhouses with thatched roofs were once a common type of home across the hebrides

Lewis is the most northerly island of the Outer Hebridean chain and is where many sail to from Ullapool to start their Hebridean adventure. The island is the busiest of the Outer Hebrides (although is by no means ‘busy’ by mainland standards!), with the town of Stornoway as the largest settlement and numerous villages across the island. The landscape varies from open moorland and towering cliffs in the north to rugged landscape and sandy beaches in the south. This page will cover the north of the island, including Ness and Stornoway – see here for information on the south of the island.

Sailing to Lewis, you first set foot on the island in Stornoway, the main town. Here you can stock up on supplies in the supermarket, visit the arts centre and browse local shops (there are some beautiful and fascinating Harris Tweed shops here!). For anyone interested in history, Lews Castle is worth a visit – built in the mid 1800s, it was gifted to the people of Stornoway in the early 1900s and later used as a naval hospital.

Leaving the town, you cross open moorland northeast to North Tolsta or Northwest towards Borve and Ness.

North Tolsta features a spectacular long sandy beach called Traigh Mhor – ‘the big beach’ – popular with surfers. At the end of the beach, 5 caves are accessible at low tide, known locally as “The Caves of Life”.

At the north of the island, the Butt of Ness forms the most northerly headland of the Hebridean chain. Here, towering cliffs plunge down to the crashing Atlantic waves below, and seabirds can be seen swooping alongside the cliffs and among sea stacks. This really is a spectacular sight, particularly is blustery weather (just make sure to keep back from the edge!).

A little south of the Butt of Ness is Eoropaidh Playpark – probably one of our favourite playparks in the country! Set among (and in many parts, built into) the dunes, kids (and big kids!) just love it. Beyond the playpark is a fantastic sandy beach.

Further down the coast, Gearrannan and Arnol Blackhouse Villages are a great way of experiencing what life was like on the Hebrides in the past, when low, thatched cottages housed people and animals alike.

Take some time to explore the north of Lewis on your trip to the Hebrides – initial sparse landscape as you leave Stornoway is deceptive as there are some great sights to see and places to visit, particularly along the coastlines.