YEah, so bright and early on Saturday we set off for the South of Stornoway covering the Isle of Harris all the way to the southernmost tip of Levenborough. It was a really rustic and breath taking drive. I'm sure I've said this once before but I just have to say it again but the scenery in Scotland, particularly here in the open mooreland, highland and countryside is just amazing. Even the houses here are quaint, sturdy and to me an exact replica of the houses I read about from the Enid Blyton books of my childhood years.
We arrived in the little fishing town of Tarbert just before noon and had a wee walk around. Tarbert basically has nothing much accept for a ferry pier, a tourist information centre and overly priced souvenir shops. but wait! They also have.... an INFLATTABLE PUB! YEs, a most interesting sight indeed.
After Tarbert, we headed along the west coast of Isle of Harris and went to Luskentyre Beach. Yes, Thank you Dr. Welsh that suggestion was indeed superb. It was low tide when we arrived with a slight drizzle upon the beach, so basically we were greeted with a BEAUTIFUL expanse of sand decorated with little treasures of the sea such as conch shells and well polished pebbles.
After luskentrye, I decided to take over the wheel of our little ford fiesta. and believe you me.....the roads on the beyond of NOWHERE are DANGEROUS.
Not only do you have to be aware of sheep that are found just about anywhere and anywhere but you have to be aware of cars, trucks, and bloody bikers that appear just about anywhere and everywhere as well. The worse bit of it is that you have to dodge and giveway to this whole lot of 'things' whilst your on a SINGLE LANE PATHWAY that looks like a road for the better part of the way but can look just like a narrow strip of CONCRETE at certain areas. Blimey....drving down to levenborough was like tempting fate all the way down for me, a person who's so used to city driving with proper traffic lights and dual carriageways. I swear sheep are really cute, but when they decide to WALTZ across the road as and when they please or just lie in the MIDDLE OF THE ROAD staring at you through the windscreen with their insolent black faces ... it just makes you want to go on a one year feast of lambchops and to wear SOLELY wool just to reduce their numbers.
yeah...so somehow i managed to get everybody to levenborough in one piece which is always good. We visit St. clements church which was in Rodel which was quite nice, except for the fact that I pulled my hamstrings climbing up these horrendously steep stepladders to the loft in the church which in retrospect was a good thing because it put me out of the role as designated driver for the rest of the day.
Levenborough is really really rustic. AKA....there is NOTHING. literally NOTHING in this town. Save for a few houses, a post office and a shop selling groceries. There is basically nothing here. For us city chicks, it was a case of " Wow....this is so 18th century." " oooh look at that wheelbarrow and the well....." and then stamping down on the accelerator and zooming off towards the 'nearest' post of civilisation.
On the way back we visited th Harris Tweed factory outlet near Tarbert. Right Harris tweed is the thing that you have to get when you're on the Western Isles for a holiday. Because here in the Hebrides they boast of this pure wool material that is handwoven by the islanders. And believe you me, the clothes, accessories and stuff made of Harris Tweed is REALLY PRICEY. but it's good quality stuff and really well made and so, well, I would say a good investment to make. I made an investment in a smart looking bookbag which i'm preety pleased with so yes, that's me sorted with a souvenir for this journey.
So that was the main places we visited on Saturday.
On Sunday, we did the regions North of Stornoway.
First of were the Callanish stones.
So that was the main places we visited on Saturday.
On Sunday, we did the regions North of Stornoway.
First of were the Callanish stones.
Anne was telling us that they are one of the top three things that you have to see before you die.
and I think they most certainly are. Seeing these ranks and circle of stones standing on top of the hill against a back drop of rustic farmland, a loch and skies of cotton candy makes is truly a sight that you will carry with you for life. The air was so clean and fresh, and the sun was just rising over the moor so it was indeed rather spectacular.
After spending a good hour there, we headed off for the black house village. This is a little settlement that has been depopulated for some time which shows you the true essence of country living. From the thatched roofs to the fireside to the peat stacks in the back of the cottages. It just makes you so appreciative of what you have with your internet, your computer, your ELECTRICITY. But itwas really very interesting to see this little settlement in the middle of nowhere. But then again, which such a beautiful beach and cove at your doorstep I'd think pple would be rather happy with that as opposed to the unreal 2 D images from some computer generation.
After that we went all the way to the northernmost tip called ' The Butt of Lewis"
It was just Amazing. The coves here are a superb example of nature being the most talented sculpture of all. Just standing there watching the swirl of white as the blue waves crashed upon the rocks was just breathtaking. I could stand there for a whole day and watch this poetry in action. haha...but apparently we werent the only ones watching, because soon we had a seal come along and watch us from its bobbing position in the sea. I think the butt of lewis has to be the most spectacular point in our travels that day.
After this we drove back and stopped along the way to enjoy the numerous beaches along the east coast. The western isles may be an isolated set of islands in the middle of nowhere, but the compensate for its peripheralness, it boasts one of the best collection of beaches that I've seen anywhere. Clean, cold, clear waters. White, pristine sandy beaches. The perfect place for a nice stroll as the sun comes down.
Yes....so that's basically the gist of our roadtrip on our first weekend in Stornoway.
Of coures reading about it is not as great as experiencing it. But oh well, if I even managed to let u have an inkling of how it's like....then that's great. If not, a short trip to the western isles earns a 4 star recommendation from me. You can only blame the sheep and the heart attack inducing roads for that near miss of a perfect score.
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