Today (Monday) we travelled to the North of the Island of Lewis and explored the moors, the beaches, the ports and the lighthouse.
Our route was like this:
While the journey was only a round trip of 85 miles we took from 8.30am until 3.30pm to do it given the number of stops and photo opportunities on the way.
Petrol and Food
Given the absence of open petrol stations on the island on a Sunday our first visit today was to the Manor Filling Station in Stornoway. We also needed some additional items for the house, including dinner for tonight, so we also visited Tesco in Stornoway.
The route to Stornoway is really attractive, 4 miles along single track roads until the last 2.5 miles when there is two way traffic on the A849.
Heading North on the Island
Those tasks finished it was time to head to the North of the Island. We left Stornoway on the A847 heading west.
Next we came to tourist sign for Steinacleit Cairn and Stone Circle. We turned off and followed the road to a Loch with an ancient Dun in its centre. Dun's abound in this part of Scotland anywhere a fort or large roundhouse was built was called a Dun, and the Gaelic word and its Welsh equivalent Din has had influence on many place names - The welsh for City Dinas, is dirived for it.
The Dun was interesting as, by being in the centre of the loch it provided both security and fresh water, critical for success in an era of turmoil and change. The island can be seen near the centre of the very choppy loch.
One of the things that is very clear about these islands is how many small lochs there are. Apparently this is caused by the scouring of of the land by glaciers in the ice age. Leaving many low areas filled with water, as well as the more fjord type lochs nearer the sea which are also caused by glaciers causing flooded valleys but in that instance doing so with sea not fresh water.
After looking at the Dun and the Loch, we began to walk up to the Cairn but after 10 yards the path turned from being a path to being a bog or a river. The idea of sinking into peat not being attractive we didn't follow it any further.
Just as everyone is calling for slow food, as an antidote to fast food, so this is slow travel in response to the more speedy approach of last week and next. It is a nice change of pace, so having left the house at 8.30am it was 11am as we left Borve and we had only travlled 55 miles.
Nis or Ness
As we travelled further north we came into the Parish called Nis or Ness, depending on your preference for Gaelic or English. Like many Parishes in this area they are large spaces and include multiple small communities.The Butt of Lewis
Port Nis
Drew opted for a Cappuccino and a Hebridean Treacle and Apple Scone with Cream and Strawberry Jam, I had an Americano and, not being an eater of sweet food, had two nice apples we had bought earlier.
Returning South
After an hour or so watching the waves and the boats in the harbour we began the journey south. It is clear that my wish to avoid going back on ourselves en route, which I had planned for the holiday as a whole, is not an option here on Lewis. Where there are often only one road to anywhere. This was the case this afternoon.
Appropriate footwear (flippers!) and navigation skills essential.
I don't think they are kidding!!
We headed back for the main road, and retraced our steps back to Crossbost and our home. We arrived at 3.30 tired but pleased with our journey to the wild North.
The Benedictines of Glastonbury claimed that Brigid visited them, founded a religious community, and then left some artefacts before returning to Ireland. Mind you, those monks were given to inventing narratives and manufacturing fake artefacts to support the tourist trade. The story, though, was supported by William of Malmesbury.
ReplyDeleteHi Robin,
DeleteLike David and Patrick before her she did seem to get around a lot - but she was a saint, so perhaps all things are possible.
Of course there are those who believe the Saint and the Celtic Goddess of the same name have become conflated in some traditions, I wonder which got to Glastonbury and which to Lewis?