Stornoway is the largest settlement on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. It is a town of about 8000 and is the administrative centre for the island. Ferries connect the island with the mainland at Ullapool and there are daily flights from the Stornoway Airport at Melbost. This town is the birthplace of several famous people, such as the explorer Alexander Mackenzie, for whom the Mackenzie River in Canada is named. Lews Castle is an imposing structure across the harbour of Stornoway. This is a college that is part of the UHI Millennium Institute and can house 40 students who wish to further their education by studying here. The castle grounds are the setting for the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival, which is a four-day event held each year in July. This event draws tourists from all over who come to enjoy the Celtic fold music as well as rock music, so there is something here for everyone.
Learn about the history of the Isle of Lewis as well as all the islands of the Outer Hebrides when you visit the Museum Nan Eileen in Stornoway. This museum houses artefacts and exhibits that date back 9000 years. Here you will learn about the traditional way of life on the island and how progress and technology has brought about changes. Stornoway is just one of the places involved in the manufacture of the famous tweeds of the Hebrides. A visit to the Lewis Loom Centre will give you information about the Harris tweed. You can take a 40 minute guided tour of the facility and see the artisans at work spinning and weaving. Stornoway is home to the An Lanntair Arts Centre, which is located in the Old Town Hall. Here you can see changing exhibits of artwork by local artists as well as those well known throughout the country. Visit the ruins of St. Columba’s Church where you can also see the grave slabs of Robert Macleod, the 7th clan chief of Scotland and his daughter.
This town is not too far away from all the other villages on the island, where there is a wealth of historic sites. In Arnol, you can visit the Arnol Blackhouse Museum, which is really a traditional Scottish Highland home, built in 1855. See the restored earth and thatched cottages at the Black House Village of Carloway and you do have to make a visit to the standing stones of Callanish. Stornoway is a great place to choose as you base of operations for touring the Isle of Lewis. It has a caravan park set in a woodland setting as well as several hotels and inns. There are self-catering cottages to rent and there are many restaurants where you can have an enjoyable meal. With the spectacular scenery that Stornoway has to offer, you will want to be out and about as much as possible snapping your pictures.
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