Visit North Lewis

11/06/2024

😍😍😍

04/06/2024

Are you in North Lewis from 22nd - 29th June? There are events taking place in Port of Ness, Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve, and more locations across Lewis as part of Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival. A great opportunity to explore the area with local experts!

Full programme of events ⬇️
https://www.outerhebrideswildlifefestival.co.uk/lewis

04/06/2024

Last night's spectacular Dior Cruise 2025 show at Drummond Castle showcased some of Scotland's world-famous textiles including Harris Tweed. 😍 Did you watch it?

When you're here keep your eye out for weavers' sheds or beautiful Harris Tweed creations in shops and honesty boxes- the perfect memento of your Lewis holiday!

➡️www.visitnorthlewis.com/shop-local

24/05/2024

Looking forward to tasting some local Lewis produce when you visit? Check out the new Outer Hebrides Eat Drink Hebrides Guide, featuring some North Lewis favourites, Cross Stores and Cross Inn & Old Barn Bar! Which is your favourite?😋

26/04/2024

🌟Our favourite beaches 🌟

When is your favourite time of day to visit the beach? Whether it is sunrise or sunset, our beaches shine! ☀️

Traigh Shanndaigh (Eoropie Beach) is a popular beach with everyone, from surfers and dog walkers, to families having a picnic, and its not hard to see why! 🥰

Close to the award-winning Eoropie Play Park, Traigh Shanndaigh makes for a perfect day out. And, the machair hosts plenty of wildlife, birds and flowers, so there is lots to spot on land too!

📸Philippa Hare
📸Iain maciver
📸Roddy J Macdonald

24/04/2024

There are so many incredible artists and makers throughout the Outer Hebrides - just have a look at this arts and craft guide from Outer Hebrides!

19/04/2024

Did you know...

Loch Stiapabhat is the Western Isles' only Local Nature Reserve and is located in Ness. This area is hive of bird and wildlife activity throughout the year - just like these white tail sea eagles which were spotted earlier this week.

The Nature Observatory at Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve was opened in 2014. This hide is just a few hundred metres from the road and is situated at the edge of the loch with an excellent view over the loch, and surrounding wetland and croftland.

Head down and let us know what you spot!

17/04/2024

The sun is shining and there are lots of new, cheeky faces around North Lewis right now! 🥰

We want you to enjoy the outdoors, but please remember to respect the livestock and wildlife you encounter.

Crofting is an important aspect of life within our communities and it is a vulnerable time of year for livestock, with pregnant ewes, and lambs running about for example. Please be aware of your surroundings, particularly when near crofts with livestock and keep your dog on a lead. You can find more information via the Scottish Outdoor Access Code here: https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/practical-guide-all/dog-walkers

17/04/2024

Who is a regular in your garden?! 🐦

Did you take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch- the results are in! RSPB Highlands & Islands

10/04/2024

⭐️Our favourite beaches ⭐️

North Lewis is home to some of the most beautiful beaches you can find!

Next up is... Port of Ness beach

Port of Ness beach is one of the most well-known and frequented beaches in the north of the island.

The harbour is where the men from the area set sail from for the traditional annual Guga (gannet) hunt on Sula Sgeir (Sùlaisgeir), 40 miles north of the Butt of Lewis.

The landmarks at Port of Ness harbour have made it into modern day literature - the boathouse is the scene of the murder in Peter May - author's The Blackhouse and there are many other spots around the area which feature throughout the trilogy!

📸Iain Maciver
📸Marie Anne Macdonald

Which is your favourite beach? 🏖

08/04/2024

Habost Machair - àlainn🩷

When you are visiting, take care and help us to protect our machair - some useful information below, and on its website, from Outer Hebrides.

📸 Sradag Creative

Soon our Machair will be brimming with colourful and varied wildflowers. 🌿🌱🌼🌸

Did you know that our Machair (the fertile low lying grassland between sand dunes and moorland) is one of the rarest habitats in Europe, found only on the western coasts of Ireland and Scotland? Over half of the Scottish machair is in the Outer Hebrides.

The mineral rich soil is enriched by the sea and has evolved from centuries of human and environmental activity, it does not easily regenerate.

It is unique and creates a richly biodiverse habitat that is a precious haven for wildlife, including corncrakes, great yellow bumble bees, rare orchids, and a plethora of wildflowers.

Protecting this fragile environment is crucial for not only for wildlife conservation, but preserving our crofting tradition and preventing the sandy soil from erosion.

You'll see Machair signage around our islands. Please help us protect it from damage by:

✅Not parking on the machair
✅Leave no trace - take ALL your litter away
✅ Be aware of animals grazing and keep dogs on leads - especially in Spring where there are lambs and pregnant sheep
✅ Leave gates as you found them - they are important for animal management
✅ Do not camp on the machair - use campsites

Thank you! 🙏

Read more here: https://bit.ly/3NxfnOe

📸:

08/04/2024

This or that - North Lewis edition ☺️

🪻Blooming wildflowers or towering cliff tops?
🪢Neolithic cairns or handmade wares?
🏄Surf the waves or explore the moor?
☕ Friendly coffee shop or picnic on the beach?
🌅Dramatic sunsets or driving rains?

Where is your go-to spot when the sun shines? What is your favourite rainy day activity in North Lewis? Where can you always find the perfect gift? Which food spot gets your tastebuds watering?

We want to hear from you about your favourite places and things to do across North Lewis - comment below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

📸Ali Finlayson

20/03/2024

Today is International Day of Happiness and there is nothing like a good walk in the sunshine to put a smile on your face! 😁

There are lots of great walks across North Lewis, from the Eoropie Loop which takes in many of the must-see sights including Eoropie Beach, The Butt of Lewis lighthouse and St Moluags, to the Skigersta loop, a circular walk which takes you out to the vast Skigersta moorland.

Our app has details of various walks, just search for Visit North Lewis in your app store (available for Apple and Android devices).

📸Dunes - Philly Hare
📸 Lighthouse - Alex Thomson
📸Old church on cliffs, Skigersta moor - Angus Maclean

15/03/2024

Fantastic to see that local café The Breakwater has been nominated for a national award! 🥳 Very well deserved and well worth a trip when you visit North Lewis!

We are delighted to announce the finalists for the 7th Scottish
Hospitality Awards 2024 are...

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year

Little's Restaurant
Eleven Restaurant and Bar
The Breakwater
The Waterfront Restaurant Kenmore
The Bucket List
Cucina
The Scran & Scallie
First Coast Restaurant Edinburgh
The Boat House
The Corner House

Congratulations!
If you are on this list please send us a PM on this page with your company name, telephone number, town and email address and we will be in touch with all the details.

15/03/2024

Have you walked the Heritage Trail, from Tolsta to Ness? 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Situated on the north east of the Isle of Lewis, the Heritage Trail follows the moorland between Ness and Tolsta, an area renowned for its stunning coastline, abundant marine life and rich cultural heritage. Sites you will come across include Cuidhsiadar Shielings, Dùn Othail, Garry Bridge, Taigh 'An Fiosaich, Eaglais 'An Fiosaich and Dìobadal.

🛖Shielings were used in the summer months, when crofters and their families would leave their homes to graze their animals on the moor. Cuidhsiadar Shielings are still used today, often as a base when cutting peats.

🌉Garry Bridge can be found at the very end of the road on the northeast side of Lewis beyond the village of Tolsta. The bridge is sometimes referred to as the Bridge to Nowhere as there is no road beyond this point and was built as part of an ambitious plan by Lord Leverhulme in the early 20th Century, to have a road from Tolsta to Ness, but the plan never came to fruition.

To find out more about the other sites on the Heritage Trail, you can download our app, just search Visit North Lewis, or you can visit our website www.visitnorthlewis.com. You can also find out more about the historical sites from Comunn Eachdraidh Nis and North Tolsta Historical Society.

Let us know if you've walked the Heritage trail and what you spotted along the way!

📸Taigh 'an Fiosaich, Ali Finlayson
📸Garry Bridge & Tràigh Mhòr (Tolsta), Mairi Graham
📸Dùn Othail, Sandy Morrison

12/03/2024

Peatland is an internationally rare wetland habitat which supports populations of important breeding, migratory and over-wintering birds.

Depending on when you visit the area, you might spot white tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, hen harriers, skylarks, red grouse, fulmars, gulls, cormorants, gannets, oyster catchers, guillemots, and lots more! 🦢🦉🐦

On our app you can listen to some of these beautiful bird sounds and find out where you might spot them. 👀

Our 'Visit North Lewis' app will also help you to explore the spectacular area and its unique way of life, showcasing things to see and do, places to visit and local outlets. Available to download for Apple & Android, just search for 'Visit North Lewis'.

06/03/2024

⭐️Our favourite beaches ⭐️

North Lewis is home to some of the most beautiful beaches you can find!

First up is Port Stoth Beach. 💛

The furthest north beach on Galson Estate is also one of our favourite hidden gems with a rich history. A wee slice of paradise that could be mistaken for a beach in the Maldives, Port Stoth has beautiful white sands, turquoise waters and is nestled amongst stunning cliffs. 🌊 This makes it a sheltered sun trap, just out of the wind. ☀️

Port Stoth is within walking distance from a very small parking area. The ground is uneven and there is space for only two or three cars to park - it is not advisable for bigger vehicles or campers. It is possible to park in the villages of Eoropie or Lionel, and to walk to the beach.

📷 Iain Maciver

03/03/2024

Today is World Wildlife Day, a day to celebrate wild animals and plants, recognising the unique roles and contributions of wildlife to people and the planet.

North Lewis is home to so many animals, birds and plants, so depending on when you are here, you'll have the chance to spot lots of wildlife as you travel about.

🐦From white tailed sea eagles to oyster catchers, there is an abundance of bird life.
🐳Will you be lucky enough to see some Orcas or minke whales?
🦭Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and seals too.
🌸Our landscape is adorned with flowers and plants ​from wild primroses to bell heather, bog cotton to cuckoo flowers, and lots more.

What have you seen here? Or what are hoping to catch a glimpse of?

You can find lots more information about what else you can see and do whilst you're here on our website ⬇️
https://www.visitnorthlewis.com/florafauna

12/01/2024

CalMac Ferries

We’re pleased to let our customers know that the Summer timetables for 29 March to 30 September 2024 are now available to view on our website.

Bookings & advanced purchase up to 30 Sept will be released on a phased approach.

We’ve shared full details on key dates and new info on expectations for publication of 1-20 October phase in our customer update ➡ https://calm.ac/41jsdWZ

12/01/2024

Harris Tweed Authority 🤩

11/01/2024

Loch Stiapabhat Local Nature Reserve RSPB Highlands & Islands Air An Lot

’S e samhradh trang a th’ air thoiseach air Sweeny. An eventful summer lies ahead.

11/01/2024

If a seal’s head pops up, you’re close enough! When we disturb seals, pups can become separated from their mothers causing them to get hurt or abandoned.

Keep your distance, stay quiet and have your dog on a lead to avoid this.

More tips: https://orlo.uk/ieM4t

11/01/2024

📣 Join ClanMacq next Friday for a captivating journey into the past! 🌟

🗓️ Friday, 19th January
🕝 2:30 PM
📍 Clan Macquarie Community Centre, Borve
🎟️ FREE

Get ready for an enthralling "Local Stories" session with Agnes Rennie and Roddy Martin. Dive deep into the intriguing history of Galson Farm and Village, and the remarkable tales of crofters' daring raids that led to an unexpected twist - the arrest of four innocent men.

📚 Expect an afternoon filled with rich history, engaging narratives, and the kind of stories that bring our community's past to life.

☕️ And what's a gathering without some treats? Enjoy the yarns with a side of hot drinks and snacks, all on us!

📜🫖

Our next local “stories” session is planned for Friday 19th January at 2.30pm in Borve. We are delighted to have Agnes Rennie and Roddy Martin with us on the day - they will share some of the history of Galson Farm and village and the daring raids by crofters, desperate for land, that led to the arrest of four innocent men.

Should be a great session - join us for all the yarns and to wash these down with a hot drink and some snacks. This is a free event.

11/01/2024

The Uncles Croft Campsite has captured the beauty of the past few days.

03/01/2024

Have you been to Scotland's beautiful Outer Hebrides?

Where you can explore hills, beaches, lochs, cliffs and machair land...
Where the land and the people are intertwined by their way of life, history & culture...

Head to our website for all the information you could need www.Visitouterhebrides.co.uk

See you soon 😉

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18/12/2023

Festive Opening Hours at Cross Stores 🛍️🎄

18/12/2023

🍿🎬 Have you booked for the Taigh Dhonnchaidh Christmas Movie Party this Saturday? 🎥 🍿

‼️Booking required‼️please let us know if your coming. hotdog and hot chocolate £5 🌭🎄🌭

18/12/2023

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis Café Opening Hours this week ✨

15/12/2023

🤸‍♀️Tha 'Sunnd' beò! 🤸‍♀️

Thoiribh sùil air am postair seo. Tachartasan sunnd is slàinte thar miosan na gèamhraidh.

🤸‍♀️'Sunnd' is live! 🤸‍♀️

The 2024 programme for 'Sunnd', our health and wellbeing initiative, has been announced.

🔖 Pick up a programme at local outlets across the estate.
💻 If you prefer a digital copy, head to www.galsontrust.com/events
🎟️ To book events, head to: www.bookwhen.com/sunnd