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Before I do a post on my home home, it’s only fitting that I dedicate one to my second home – the Isle of Lewis. With a mother from Stornoway (the main town in Lewis), it was only natural that I spent half my childhood exploring the Outer Hebrides and it’s still a place I constantly find myself being drawn back to now. The Isle of Lewis will guarantee you an unforgettable experience, whether it’s your first time visiting or your fiftieth.

You can get to Lewis by plane or by ferry. Although the plane offers a quicker and easier crossing, it’s worth taking into consideration getting around the island, it’s pretty widespread - so a car is highly recommended.





Beaches, Beaches and more Beaches.

Being right on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Lewis allows you to experience the elements in all their force, but it also means that its home to some of Britain’s finest beaches. When visiting the islands beaches, it is ESSENTIAL that you bring a camera along, as they offer so many photography opportunities without you even needing to try.



On the North East you’ll find Traigh Mhor, where you can take a stroll along roughly 2 miles of golden-white sand against low grassy dunes and enjoy watching powerful ocean swells. Also, keep your eyes peeled for Sea Eagles which tend to soar the nearby cliffs. Carry on North of the island to Port Nis at the very tip of the island, where you can find Eorapaigh beach where you are promised golden sand, large, windswept dunes, and layers of crashing Atlantic waves.





Down to the west of the island you can take in the beauty of Uig Sands / Ardroil where a vast expanse of flat sand meets turquoise waters and large sandy dunes- perfect for exploring. Also in the Uig region you can find Mangersta where there are rocky pools and dramatic cliffs. Carry on a little further down just north of the village of Carloway and you’ll find Dalmor, a slightly smaller beach than the others, where there is the ~bluest~ of waters, little caves and sea stacks.





Finally, one beach which is definitely worth the mention as it was a recommendation from none other than granny herself (who has lived on Lewis her entire life), is Reef Beach. Reef is a stunning golden-white arc of sand pinned against a rocky coastline and, in the summer months, a backdrop of machair (a stretch of wildflowers). Take a stroll along the beach and look onto the turquoise waters with little rocky islands sheltering the bay offshore in the distance.





It’s fair to say that the Isle of Lewis offers plenty of beaches to choose from. These are just some of the ones that I managed to visit on my last trip up, but there’s plenty more to add to the list too. Just go out, explore and admire creation at its finest.





Other things to see / do

The beaches alone should be enough to draw you to Lewis, however, there’s also a varied range of other things to see and do on your Lewis adventure. Check out the Callanish Standing Stones, dating back to the Neolithic era. Or step back in time and visit the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where you can experience what life was like in a blackhouse. The village also offers you the opportunity to stay in one of the villages blackhouses whilst you visit the island (don’t worry; their 4-star rating ensures the accommodation cottages are considerably more up to date than the historical examples – they even have underfloor heating!). In the main village of Stornoway itself, why not take a stroll around the Castle Grounds, along the River Creed and visit Lews Castle.





Eating Out

There is a huge variety of choice when looking for somewhere to get a bite to eat in Lewis. Some of my top recommendations for eating out include Digby Chick, Harris and Lewis Smokehouse, Uig Sands and HS-1. It is also worth noting that Lewis is home to the best black pudding in the world – so be sure to take some proper Stornoway Black Pudding home with you.





All in all

The Isle of Lewis is easily one of my favourite places on earth. If you’ve never been before I can’t recommend a visit enough. The Outer Hebrides offer a truly unique and special experience that you will never forget. Not only that, but I’m almost certain if you visit once, you’ll soon be back again. On that note, writing this post has made me realise how much I wish I was in Lewis again – I’m off to book a ferry ticket.





GALLERY

Traigh Mhor

Eorapaigh

Uig Sands / Ardroil

Mangersta

Dalmor

Reef Beach

Deer

Sea Eagle

Cliff Sunset

Eorapaigh Waves

Callanish Stones



























