</a></span>"}'/> Stornoway (Gaelic Steòrnabhagh ) is the main town on Lewis and the admin centre for all of Scotland's Outer Hebrides . Indeed it's the only town in these islands; it has the best amenities and transport links, and it's the obvious base for exploring both Lewis and Harris. It is industrial, and not particularly picturesque, but has lots to see. The population was 4800 in 2021, a sharp decline on previous figures.
Calmac ferries sail to Stornoway from Ullapool on the mainland, taking 2 hr 30 min. There are two sailings year-round M-Sa, and on Sunday two Apr-Oct and just one Nov-Mar. Until end of March 2025, return fares are £121.30 per car, £22.30 per adult including driver, and £11.20 per child aged 5-15. These ferries often sell out in summer, so even foot passengers should book in advance. Be at the pier at least 45 min before sailing.
There is also a ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert on Harris, from where you can drive up to Lewis.
You can also sail to Lochmaddy on North Uist , or to South Uist or Barra , then work your way north by road and ferry, as part of a tour of the Outer Hebrides.
See Lewis for buses around the island, which all converge on Stornoway. They're sparse M-Sa with nothing on Sunday. The bus station is next to the ferry terminal.
A bus-ferry service runs up the Western Isles through Barra, the Uists and Harris to Stornoway, so M-Sa it may be possible to go the whole way in one day. There are half-a-dozen services part-route, but for the full route you need to set off from Castlebay on Barra at 6:20AM, Lochboisedale on South Uist at 9AM, Benbecula at 11:10AM, Lochmaddy on North Uist at 11:30AM and Tarbert on Harris at 4:20PM, to reach Stornoway by 5:30PM. Going south, you leave Stornoway 9:30AM to reach Tarbert at 10:45AM, Lochmaddy at 1:45PM, Benbecula at 2:25PM, Lochboisdale at 3:25PM and reach Castlebay at 5:35PM.
By bus: see Lewis for routes around the island, which all converge on Stornoway. The town is small and the only bus you're likely to use within it is W5, which runs east along A866 to the airport and away out to The Point. Northbound it runs along B895 up the east coast past the hospital towards Tolsta. About a dozen run M-F and five on Saturday.
Bus W1 (for the north tip of the island) and Bus W2 (west coast loop) run through town along A857 to Manors roundabout and the hospital before wandering off into the countryside.
Car hire: rental firms are Stornoway Car Hire ( ☏ +44 1851 702658 ), Stornoway Vehicle Hire (+44 7502 156439) and Car Hire Hebrides ( ☏ +44 1851 706500 ). They can all pick up or drop off at the ferry terminal or airport.
Taxi: the Stornoway airport website lists almost two dozen local operators.
Never on a Sunday: Lewis Sabbatarians are fighting a bitter rearguard action. They've been unable to resist the ungodliness of flights and ferries on a Sunday, but all shops remain closed except Engebret's filling station, and the majority of eating and drinking places. On Saturday night, pubs and entertainments halt by midnight.
Several shops sell Harris Tweed, either by the metre or made into clothes and bags.
Advance booking is essential June-August, and advisable any time of year.
As of Sep 2023, Stornoway has 4G from EE, which extends along the island roads. You might get a signal in town from O2, Three or Vodafone. 5G has not yet reached Lewis and Harris.
Stornoway Library , 49 Cromwell Street HS1 2DA , ☏ +44 1851 822744 . Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM . This has internet access. ( updated Sep 2023 )
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Visit this hub for its gaelic heritage, the colourful waterfront and stornoway black pudding, a type of sausage and local specialty..
This is the main town on the Isle of Lewis, with a little something for everyone. Originally a Viking settlement, it’s now better known as a hub for its Gaelic heritage. Notable attractions here include the new Museum of the Western Isles inside the Lews Castle, the colourful waterfront and Stornoway Black Pudding, a type of sausage and local specialty.
Stornorway Town
Beaches of luskentyre & scarista, butt of lewis, arnol blackhouse museum, tours including stornoway.
You could experience Stornoway through any one of these tours below.
Scottish highlands & north coast 500, grand tour of scotland, classic scotland & outer hebrides, complete scotland at leisure, scottish highlands, north coast 500 & outer hebrides.
Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.
From the air
An old image of the harbour
is the main town on the Isle of Lewis and is also the home of the Western Isles Council . Just over 6,000 people live in the town, which represents about a third of the Islands total population. The economy is a mix of traditional businesses like fishing, Harris Tweed and farming, with more recent influences like Tourism, the oil industry and commerce brought about by the digital revolution and communications.
Stornoway is the main port on the island, due to its sheltered location with the ferry to Ullapool a regular visitor. The sheltered harbour is the reason for the towns existence and was named by the visiting Vikings "Steering Bay" which, when phonetically translated, became the name Stornoway.
Stornoway is the main port on the Island, due to its sheltered location with the ferry to Ullapool a regular visitor. The sheltered harbour is the reason for Stornoway's existence and was named by the visiting Vikings "Steering Bay" which, when phonetically translated, became the name Stornoway.
The town has a wide range of facilities ranging from a large secondary school, ( Nicholson Institute ) and technical college, to sporting facilities, which includes a brand new sports complex. The complex would be the envy of most mainland small cities with its 25 metre pool, climbing walls, fitness suite, soft play etc.
The town also has a Golf Course , Astro Turf pitch , Go-Karting and even a paintball action area. Cruises around the area by boat are available during the summer months, embarking from the pontoons behind the Lifeboat Station. Cultural facilities are well catered for with a good museum, art gallery and library. An Lanntair, a brand new arts complex was opened in summer 2005.
In the grounds of Lews Castle, the Stornoway Trust has developed a series of well maintained woodland walks of varying lengths and scenic features. Click here to find out more.
The Gaelic language is still spoken widely, however, it is not so common to hear it in Stornoway as in the countryside.
Accommodation is plentiful and a list of the different providers can be found on the Accommodation page . Places to eat out are also plentiful and range from restaurants and cafes to takeaways and hotels.
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Stornoway tourism | stornoway guide, you're going to love stornoway.
With a population of 5,423, Stornoway is a must-see destination in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Stornoway deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Stornoway in August, when the average temperature is 57.2 °F, and the highest can go up to 60.8 °F. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 35.6 °F, with an average temperature of 41 °F. You’re likely to see more rain in January, when precipitation is around 4.7″. In contrast, May is usually the driest month of the year in Stornoway, with an average rainfall of 2″.
When flying to Stornoway, you’ll arrive at Stornoway Airport (SYY), which is located 3 km from the city center. The shortest flight to Stornoway from the United States departs from San Jose and takes around 24h 40m.
Another option to get to Stornoway is to pick up a car rental from Edinburgh, which is about 316 km from Stornoway. You’ll find branches of GREEN MOTION and Europcar, among others, in Edinburgh.
Airlines serving stornoway, where to stay in stornoway.
Average rates range from around $183 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $259 and up for a 5-star experience.
Most booked hotels in stornoway, renting a car in stornoway.
Expect to pay $6.81 per gallon in Stornoway (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your rental car, filling up the tank will cost between $81.76 and $109.02.
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The travel guide on Stornoway in Outer Hebrides here guides you with information on and around the place. The guide also include details about getting to Stornoway, sights, sleeping and eating, transportation and essential information needed on a visit to Stornoway.
Phone code: 44 (0) 1851
The fishing port of Stornoway , the only town in the Outer Hebrides, is the islands' commercial capital and as such boasts more services and facilities than you might expect in any town of comparable size. It has the full range of banks, shops, hotels, guesthouses, pubs and restaurants, garages, car hire firms, sports facilities, an airport and ferry terminal, and for the visiting tourist it presents a rare opportunity to stock up on supplies. steòrnabhagh
Stornoway is also the administrative capital and home to the Comhairle nan Eilean (The Western Isles Council), which has done much to broaden the local economy and to promote and protect Gaelic language and culture, but is probably best known for its disastrous financial dealings with the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI), which collapsed in 1991, losing the islands a cool £23 million.
The tourist information centre is at 26 Cromwell St. They stock maps, bus timetables and various books and brochures, and sell tickets for minibus tours to Calanais and for wildlife trips around Lewis and Harris. Info Tel. 703088. Apr-May and Sep-Oct Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1700; Jun-Aug Mon-Fri 0900-2000; Oct-Mar Mon-Fri 0900-1700
The pubs and hotels serve the usual range of bar meals. Probably the best restaurant in town is at the Park Guest House , which offers top-class modern Scottish cooking using local fish, lamb and venison. It also caters for vegetarians and is open Tue-Sat. Mid-range to expensive.
Also recommended is The Boatshed , in the Royal Hotel , which specializes in seafood. Expensive. Less upmarket and cheaper is their HS-1 Cafe bar.
24 South Beach T:01851 706116. ( review ) Family-run restaurant that’s been in Stornoway for decades. The curries are the real thing and the service is great, but the real boon is that it is open on Sunday. Best value are the set menus: lunch £10, dinner £16. Daily noon - 2pm & 5 - 11.30pm.
27 Church St T: 01851 701811, website: thai-cafe- stornoway .co.uk (not working). Despite the name, this is actually a restaurant, serving authentic Thai food. The lunchtime Pad Thai is good value at £5, while evening mains like the spicy Jungle Curry - stir-fried beef and peppers in a spicy cocount gravy – cost around £9. No licence, so BYOB (£1 corkage). Mon–Sat noon - 2.30pm & 5 - 11pm.
Kenneth St T: 01851 703307, website: lanntair.com . Arts venue with a stylish, modern café-bar restaurant that serves food all day. Light lunches start at £4 for soup and bread, or for more substantial eating, they do burgers, fish and chips and pastas from £10. Food served Mon–Sat 10am–8pm.
5 Bank St, T: 01851 700026, website: digbychick.co.uk . Smart, modern, buzzy little bistro with a real emphasis on using local produce, such as the famous Stornoway black pudding. There are some interesting options on offer here like their Indian-French fusion of salmon with curried bisque, tandoori onions and coconut bonbons, or ordinary battered fish 'n' chips if curry’s not your thing. Two-course lunch menu costs £14.50. Mon–Sat noon–2pm & 5.30–9pm.
The Golden Ocean Restaurant ( facebook page ), on Cromwell St.
There are several other takeaways offering the standard fare of pizza, kebabs, fish and chips etc. The cheapest option is the all-day breakfast served in the Co-op supermarket. For a cheap lunch try the cafeteria in the Deep Sea Fishermen's Mission on North Beach.
32 Point St T01851 701990. A tiny, authentic no-frills Stornoway pub, where they have regular informal (music) sessions – if nothing’s going down, try nearby MacNeill’s. Mon–Thurs 11am–11pm, Fri & Sat 11am–1am.
There are 2 large supermarkets in town. Safeway is beside the ferry terminal and the Co-op is by the first roundabout on the road out to Barabhas. There's also a smaller supermarket opposite the tourist information centre.
Remember that
thet pubs are closed on Sun and hotels cater only for residents.
Travel directions to stornoway.
Stornoway is the island's transport hub. The airport is 4 miles east of the town centre, a £5 taxi ride away. For details of flights to the other islands and the mainland. The CalMac ferry terminal is just beyond the bus station, which is on South Beach, a short walk from the town centre. Full ferry details are also given in Ins and outs. Buses leave from Stornoway to all parts of the island and also to Tarbert and Leverburgh on Harris. Bus timetables are available from the tourist office.
Hebridean Excursions offer a wide range of car tours around the Hebrides - their phone number is 01851 870 882.
The town is compact and most of what you need is within easy walking distance of the tourist office. Some of the B&Bs in the residential areas are quite a distance from the centre, but there's an hourly town bus service, or hire a taxi from Central Cabs (Tel. 706900)
Buses leave from Stornoway to all parts of the island. Note that buses do not run on Sun. To Port Niss (Ness) via Barabhas (Barvas) 4-6 times per day; to Arnol, Siabost (Shawbost), Càrlabhagh (Carloway), Calanais (Callanish), and back to Stornoway ('West Side Circular') 4-6 times per day; to Bearnaraigh (Great Bernera) via Gearraidh na h-Aibhne (Garynahine) 4 per day; to Uig District 3-4 per day; to Ranais (Ranish) 6-8 times per day. For full details, Tel. 840269. There are also buses from Stornoway to Tarbert and on to Leverburgh (for the ferry to North Uist) 4-5 times per day (Tel. 01859-502441).
This is available at good rates from Lewis Car Rentals, 52 Bayhead St, Tel. 703760, Fax. 705860. Also Arnol Motors, in Arnol, Tel. 01851-710548 (Tel. 0831-823318 mobile), Fax. 710248. You can rent bikes at Alex Dan's Cycle Centre, 67 Kenneth St, Tel. 704025, Fax. 701712.
Stornoway is short on conventional tourist sights and once you've been to the tourist office and bought the necessities from the local supermarkets, there's not much else to do. The focal point of the town has always been its sheltered deep-water harbour and, though the fishing industry has declined since its peak at the end of the last century, there's still a fair amount of activity, especially at the fish market on North Beach on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The harbour is usually full of seals, giving the town its nickname of Portrona (port of seals). There's a good view across the harbour to Lews Castle , a 19th-century edifice built by Sir James Matheson with money earned from opium and tea. The castle now houses a college and its real attraction is the wooded grounds, the only place you'll see trees on the islands. The Museum nan Eilean, on Francis Street, features a range of temporary exhibitions on island life and history. Info Apr to Sep Mon-Sat 1000-1730; Oct-Mar Tue 1000-1700 and Sat 1000-1300 . Free. Tel. 703773.
Anyone remotely interested in Harris Tweed should visit the Lewis Loom Centre, housed in the Old Grainstore at the northern end of Cromwell Street, just off Bayhead. The 40-minute guided tour includes demonstrations of traditional methods of warping, dyeing and spinning, and a detailed lecture on the history of Harris Tweed. There's also a craft shop. Info Mon-Sat 1000-1700. Adult £2.Tel. 703117 .
The impressive baronial Town Hall on South Beach currently houses the An Lanntair Art Gallery, though plans are afoot to move the gallery into a new arts centre. The gallery features the work of local, national and international artists and also stages various musical events. The coffee shop serves home baking and tasty snacks. Info Mon-Sat 1000-1730. Free. Tel. 703307,
Fake castle built in 1863 by Sir James Matheson (of Jardine Matheson fame) who resettled crofters to take the land.It has undergone a huge refurbishment.
Dun Carloway is one of the best-preserved Iron Age Brochs in the whole of Scotland dating back to something like 1st century AD. It is near Callanish and should be visited.
As the largest settlement on the islands, Stornoway has a good selection of accommodation from which to choose, though you should book in advance in the peak summer season. The tourist information centre will do this for you, for a small fee. There are several centrally located hotels, the best of which is the Royal Hotel, Cromwell St, Tel. 702109, Fax. 702142. 24 rooms. Good value, and good food in its restaurant and bistro (see 'Eating' below). On the outskirts of town is B Cabarfeidh Hotel, Manor Park, Tel. 702604, Fax. 705572. 46 rooms. Not as convenient as the Royal but with the full range of facilities and a decent restaurant. B Park Guest House, 30 James St, Tel. 702485, Fax. 703482. 10 rooms. This Victorian townhouse is comfortable, only 500yd from the ferry terminal, and the best of the guesthouses. It also has an excellent restaurant which is recommended even if you're not staying.
There are many B&Bs in and around the town centre, most of which offer a 'room only' rate for those requiring an early start to catch the first ferry. There are several along Matheson Rd, which is close to the town centre and the ferry terminal, including, E Mrs Anne Maclead, at No 12, Tel. 702673; and E (F room only) Mrs M MacMillan, 'Fernlea' No 9, Tel. 702125. Another option is F Fairhaven, 17 Keith St, Tel. 705862, which can also do meals.
The basic F Stornoway Backpackers Hostel is at 47 Keith St, Tel. 703628. Includes breakfast, open all year. There's also a Bunkhouse Hostel at F Laxdale Holiday Park, on Laxdale Lane, about a mile out of town on the road to Barabhas, Tel. 703234. It has 16 beds, basic facilities and is open all year.
Stunning luxury Island Lodges with a spa. Highly recommended for honeymoons, romantic weekends, or just a beautifully relaxing holiday. Sleeps 2 in luxury!
This is a traditional croft house near the northernmost point of the Outer Hebrides, only a few minutes from the Atlantic.
Enjoy a peaceful holiday in this large, well equipped, 5 bedroomed bungalow on the beautiful Isle of Harris. Watch otters, see golden eagles, catch trout like some of our guests or take a short drive to Finsbay and watch the seals swimming or sleeping on the rocks
This is a lovely, ground floor apartment, situated in an historic, listed building, located in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis and can sleep two people in one bedroom.
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The following article is an account of a trip from Mosstodloch in Moray, Scotland, to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, at the start of October 2022. John Luckwell has been a great contributor to this website since its inception two years ago, with many fantastic photographs taken on his drone. I'm honoured he has written this article about his trip to Stornoway with his wife Margaret, thank you John - over to you!
My wife Margaret and I have holidayed on Lewis three times, each time being completely different. That is probably true of most places in the World, but in Scotland especially so, as the season, time of day and weather all make a distinct mark on the experience. There is a saying which goes, ‘if you don’t like the weather in Scotland, wait 30 minutes, and it will be different!
Today was an early start! It was still dark for most of the road trip to Ullapool to catch the ferry to Stornoway, so there were not many photo opportunities en route! We left the house at 06.30 as we had to be in Ullapool for 09.00 and drove via Inverness on the A96, Tore on the A9 and Contin and Garve on the A835, which is around 100 miles in total. The ferry, Loch Seaforth of Caledonian MacBrayne (usually shortened to CalMac), left on time at 10.45, and we had a lovely calm sailing across The Minch (no blue men to be seen!), arriving in Stornoway at 13.45 in a heavy rain shower!
Luckily, it brightened up soon after and having made the few hundred yards to our lovely flat, we started setting up our belongings in our temporary home. Our host, Margaret Ann, popped in later to ensure all was well, which it certainly was!
The flat belongs to Margaret Ann Macleod, who, with her husband and daughter, is a ‘native’ of Lewis. It is luxurious with two double bedrooms, a shower/bathroom and an enormous well-appointed kitchen/lounge, with excellent views over the harbour. This photo shows my wife Margaret setting up the kitchen in her element!
Stornoway is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides , with a population of about 7000 people - it is the third largest island settlement in Scotland, after Kirkwall in Orkney and Lerwick in Shetland.
Being the largest settlement, it is also home to the Western Isles Council (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar), established in 1975 after the administrative centre was moved from Dingwall.
Located on the island's east coast, Stornoway has a long history of fishing and links to the Vikings due to the naturally sheltered harbour.
Stornoway is known for:
Shops selling Harris Tweed
Stornoway Harbour
Lews Castle grounds
Stornoway black pudding
Sundays are quiet days on Lewis (due to the observance of the Sabbath), and I took the opportunity to fly the drone around the harbour, the calm weather being ideal. It is such a beautiful town, and there is much to see if history interests you. As an ‘aside’, Stornoway is home to the well-known band Peat and Diesel, who play humorous songs about island life , becoming famous via social media.
Later on Sunday, we walked around the beautiful grounds of Lews Castle. Lord Leverhulme donated the building to the people of Stornoway in 1923. He had bought the Lews Estate and Castle in 1918 from the Matheson family. It is now operated as a museum by the local council, and there is a cafe and a restored ballroom. There are also luxury holiday apartments within the castle.
We walked around the harbour area and saw the thought-provoking tribute to the Iolaire, which sank outside the harbour on 1 January 1919 with the loss of at least 201 of the 280 Royal Navy veterans returning home from WW1.
Sir James Matheson built The Lews Castle in 1863, and Lady Matheson erected the Lady Matheson Monument in memory of her husband. Margaret took the photo from across the harbour (she has a good zoom lens!) The monument sits on the grounds, to the SW of the castle.
This is An Lanntair (The Lantern), an unusual-looking building housing the cinema and arts centre across from the ferry terminal. We didn’t attend any events this visit but have done so on previous holidays.
Stornoway had a thriving fishing industry, and many women became famous for being ‘Herring Girls’, travelling with the fish shoals as they moved around Britain, from as far north as Lerwick in Shetland and as far south as Hull in NE England. It was very cold, hard work and they made ‘bandages’ from strips of cloth for their hands to give some protection from the salt water. The social nature of the work helped, and Ceilidhs would often be arranged each Saturday, even if they were away from home in an English port. The height of the industry was around WW1, but by WW2, it was decreasing as other countries developed their own fishing.
This statue was erected in the town in December 2021 to acknowledge the work of the womenfolk, both domestic and outside, in the cottage and on the land. Peat-cutting has long been an important part of life on the islands, and this shows a woman carrying a creel of peat.
This day saw us brave the strong winds, and we visited the Callanish Stones on the west side of Lewis. There is a visitor centre near the car park, with a cafe and toilets.
I don’t have the space to relate the history of the site in detail, but much information is readily available online. The main point to remember is that the stone circle was erected approximately 5,000 years ago, predating Stonehenge.
Tuesday was the day for a walk, and a long walk it was! We drove around 20 miles south from Stornoway to the Community Woodland car park. From there, we walked to Loch Shiphoirt (Loch Seaforth) and back, which, although just 2 miles, was on some difficult surfaces. We then walked along the many lengths of boardwalk around Loch Na h-Aibhne Ruaidhe (Red River Lake).
I flew the drone again to see the boardwalks better.
This view shows the boardwalks around the loch and on the west side of the A859
We had planned a return visit to Bogha Glas to walk up the glen where we saw both golden and white-tail eagles several years ago. However, the weather said otherwise, and we had to abandon those plans and head back towards Stornoway. However, on the way, the weather cleared, and we stopped again at the Aline Community Walks car park and I flew the drone again, with a view looking north towards Stornoway and another looking east over the loch.
We continued north and decided to visit the War Memorial in Stornoway. It was still dry now but VERY windy, and it took us all our strength to remain standing!
It was VERY windy, and yes, that is Margaret’s hair blowing into view!
Today was a visit to Harris Tweed mill, Shawbost, with Margaret Ann Macleod, Director (and owner of our lovely flat in Stornoway!).
Many thanks to Margaret Ann for showing us around the Mill and seeing first-hand the processes of manufacturing this iconic material, much loved worldwide.
After we visited the Shawbost Mill, we took a selfie by the whalebone arch, just two miles east of the Mill.
We rounded off the day in fine style at the County Hotel in Stornoway, having a lovely Indian meal cooked by their Indian chef. The next photo shows the Luckwells scrubbed up for their date night!
Margaret Ann had arranged with one of the independent ‘outworker’ weavers for us to pay a visit to see Harris Tweed being made. Rebecca lives in Northton, Harris, at the island's southern end. She works her weaving machine in a shed she built herself in her garden, and it is leg-powered! She is a lovely lady and made us very welcome.
Here are two videos taken on my drone from Stornoway/Lewis. Please visit my youtube channel for more drone videos from around Scotland.
Sadly, it was time to pack up and head home. The whole trip was amazing, and our very grateful thanks go to Margaret Ann for her hospitality and for setting up our Harris Tweed ‘tours’.
Another Margaret deserves thanks; that is my wife, who manages to combine several duties on a trip such as this. Her ‘hats’ include organiser, cook/chef, waitress, food-shopper and, during this week, photographer. A few of the photos are mine, but most are from Margaret’s camera.
Lews Castle / Stornoway Castle
Museum Nan Eilean Stornoway
Comunn Eachdraidh Nis
An Lanntair Gallery
Tiumpan Head Lighthouse
St Columba's Chapel
Stornoway Sculpture Trail
Isle of Lewis Cheese Company
Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument
Yes, there are regular flights to the airport in Stornoway from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Benbecula via Loganair . The airport is only a short distance from the town centre.
It takes about three hours to get from Ullapool to Stornoway with Calmac Ferries.
Both English and Scottish Gaelic are spoken in Stornoway.
I am certain we’ll return for a 5th time on Lewis, and I hope our account of this trip will inspire you to visit this great island and its special community spirit. Even if it only encourages you to delve deeper into the history of the Outer Hebrides, I’ll have achieved something good.
P.S. the return ferry trip across The Minch to Ullapool was again calm, and we were treated to dozens of Common Dolphins next to the ship. That was the icing on the cake!
All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.
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All photography by Chris Thornton, John Luckwell and Alan Butterfield. Some stock photography is used.
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Located on Cromwell Street beside the town’s bustling harbour, the Stornoway iCentre is ideally situated with ample public car parking and just a short walk from the Ferry and Bus Terminals. There is so much to see and experience during your time on our islands, and our friendly staff will provide you with all you need to enjoy our famous Hebridean hospitality by providing tailored information and inspiration. We offer a retail range including Gifts, Books and Maps and can also help with your Accommodation, Transport and Travel enquiries. We also offer a Booking Service on behalf of Scottish Citylink Coaches. In addition to our in-person service, we are also happy to answer queries by telephone call and e-mail.
Be sure to drop into the iCentre on your arrival into Stornoway. We have a wealth of information on the many historical attractions, stunning beaches and amazing views and can sign post you to all the best that the Outer Hebrides have to offer.
Having been refurbished in 2020, the centre offers a bright and modern environment for staff and visitors alike. We have a wide range of retail items on offer from Harris Tweed to Books and Maps.
Our friendly yet professional team can also assist you with information and advice on all of the islands in the Hebrides, covering activities, walks and more. Thanks to our close working relationship with Outer Hebrides Tourism, we also stock their full range of leaflets – covering everything from walking routes, food and drink, birds of prey right through to the connections with Peter May’s famous books.
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A SCOTS airport has come under fire after dozens of passengers were left stranded in Stornoway on Thursday night.
The Glasgow-bound Loganair flight departed from Stornoway Airport after 45 travellers were unable to get through security due to a lack of staff.
In July, Loganair’s chief executive officer, Luke Farajallah, lashed out over a similar incident.
He accused the Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) security team of “abandoning the airport and refusing to handle the flight,” which meant passengers couldn’t board the Stornoway to Edinburgh service late on a Sunday night.
Transport chiefs at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar have raised concerns over the situation as paying passengers are often travelling for employment reasons or risk losing connections to overseas holidays.
On Thursday evening, ticket-holding travellers turned up at the airport only to be left gutted when they were told last minute they had no chance of catching their flight due to the unavailabilty of security staff.
It is understood that due to earlier delays, the Loganair flight was running well over an hour behind schedule when it landed at Lewis airfield.
A spokesperson for Loganair said: “We sympathise with the frustration of all passengers who were unable to board the service from Stornoway to Glasgow last night owing to the closure of the security area.
“We are confident HIAL recognise the importance of resolving this matter very quickly and that they will engage with their staff accordingly to make this happen.”
A HIAL spokesperson said: “Stornoway Airport yesterday received an extension request outwith operating hours.
“Unfortunately, due to operational reasons, we were unable accommodate this request.
"We apologise to passengers for any inconvenience.”
Uisdean Robertson, transportation and infrastructure committee chairman at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar urged the airports operator to “improve the resilience” of their service at Stornoway Airport.
Councillor Robertson said: “I have heard reports from individuals who have missed work commitments and connections to holidays abroad because of these cancellations.
“As a community we are used to accepting the disruption of weather-related cancellations and frustrations of technical difficulties but when flights are cancelled for seemingly avoidable reasons it is right that we demand that improvements are made."
He added: “Consistent and reliable transport links are vital for our communities. To achieve this the lack of resilience we are witnessing must be addressed.”
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The Stornoway Ferry terminal is also the best way to travel into the Isle of Lewis and Stornoway, offering an adventurous way to arrive in the harbour and fresh to start your Stornoway journey. Island Darkroom. Just outside of Stornoway lies the Island Darkroom, a traditional darkroom in the Outer Hebrides Scotland.
Lews Castle and Museum in Stornoway. Lews Castle is one of the best things to do in Stornoway. Uncover the island's past and find out how it has shaped the way of life today at the newly redeveloped Museum nan Eilean in Lews Castle. Six of the iconic Lewis Chessmen are on display here, after they were uncovered in Uig on the west coast of Lewis ...
See all. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveller reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 2024. 1. Lews Castle. 819. Castles. Historic castle featuring luxurious self-catering accommodations, stunning harbor views, and dog-friendly woodland walks.
Based in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, they have been making travel dreams come true for their clients for over 25 years. Cabarfeidh Hotel. A 4-star luxury hotel, the informal Cabarfeidh offers modern guest rooms with bath and shower, large beds, free wi-fi and flat-screen TV.
These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveller reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 2024. 1. Lews Castle. 818. Castles. Historic castle featuring luxurious self-catering accommodations, stunning harbor views, and dog-friendly woodland walks.
According to the Stornoway Historical Society, over the years the town has been a bit of everything: "a medieval castle, a colonial settlement, a Cromwellian fortification, a major fishing port, and centre of the Harris Tweed industry.". Stornoway has certainly had an eventful history so far. Today, Stornoway is a small harbour town that ...
Ardmor B&B. 18. Cuanna House. 37. Hal O' the Wynd. 166. Sandwick Bay. 89. Stornoway Tourism: Tripadvisor has 12,937 reviews of Stornoway Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Stornoway resource.
Bayhead Playpark - Just along from the castle grounds and town centre, offers a wide variety of activities and fun for the family such as; Playpark, Skatepark, Tennis Courts, Rugby Club, Bowls and Crazy Golf. Stornoway Golf Club - An 18 hole golf course within the Lews Castle grounds.
Royal Hotel Stornoway. 460. from $129/night. The Crown Inn. 483. from $75/night. Cabarfeidh Hotel. 482. from $139/night.
Golf: Stornoway GC is on Lady Lever Park just west of town. White tees 5010 yards, par 68, visitor round £40. Boat trips: Stornoway Seafari go wildlife-spotting May to mid-Oct. Stornoway Historical Society occasionally holds exhibitions and events. Hebridean Way is a way-marked hiking and cycling trail the length of the Outer Hebrides ...
Scottish Highlands, North Coast 500 & Outer Hebrides. Price p.p. from. View map. Best seller. 17 days / 16 nights. Apr - Oct. Close map view. Stornoway is the main town on the Isle of Lewis on the Outer Hebrides. Discover its highlights and how to visit with Nordic Visitor's Scotland Travel Guide.
We offer Private Tours of Outer Hebrides from our base in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. Bilingual locals we provide flexible, professional journeys in our 4x4 7-seater vehicles and the highest standards of service possible to our clients. More Details. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating. 9 reviews.
from. $651. per adult. 4. Isle of Lewis Heritage: Private Day Tour from Stornoway. 1. Historical Tours. 6 hours. Explore the rich history and ancient wonders of the Isle of Lewis on our private full-day tour with convenient transportation….
per group (up to 6) Isle of Lewis Heritage: Private Day Tour from Stornoway. 1. Historical Tours. from. R 12 242. per adult (price varies by group size) 3-Day Hebrides Tour from Inverness: Isles of Lewis and Harris. 5.
Stornoway. is the main town on the Isle of Lewis and is also the home of the Western Isles Council. Just over 6,000 people live in the town, which represents about a third of the Islands total population. The economy is a mix of traditional businesses like fishing, Harris Tweed and farming, with more recent influences like Tourism, the oil ...
Stornoway Town Hall. The town was founded by Vikings in the early 9th century, [8] with the Old Norse name Stjórnavágr.The settlement grew up around a sheltered natural harbour and became a hub for people from all over the island, who travelled to Stornoway either by family boat or by horse-drawn coach, for onward travel to and trade with the rest of Scotland and further afield.
With a population of 5,423, Stornoway is a must-see destination in Scotland, United Kingdom. It is among the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Stornoway deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.
Interactive museum set amid scenic woodlands, showcasing Hebridean culture with informative exhibits, engaging 3D videos, and historical artifacts like the Lewis Chessmen. 4. Stornoway Harbour. Nice small harbour to walk round and admire the views and look at the boats then to explore the town alongside it.
As the largest settlement on the islands, Stornoway has a good selection of accommodation from which to choose, though you should book in advance in the peak summer season. The tourist information centre will do this for you, for a small fee. There are several centrally located hotels, the best of which is the Royal Hotel, Cromwell St, Tel. 702109, Fax. 702142. 24 rooms.
As an 'aside', Stornoway is home to the well-known band Peat and Diesel, who play humorous songs about island life, becoming famous via social media. Stornoway Harbour. Later on Sunday, we walked around the beautiful grounds of Lews Castle. Lord Leverhulme donated the building to the people of Stornoway in 1923.
Isle of Lewis. Located on Cromwell Street beside the town's bustling harbour, the Stornoway iCentre is ideally situated with ample public car parking and just a short walk from the Ferry and Bus Terminals. There is so much to see and experience during your time on our islands, and our friendly staff will provide you with all you need to enjoy ...
Map. See all. These rankings are informed by Tripadvisor data—we consider traveller reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location. 2024. 1. Lews Castle. 819. Castles. Historic castle featuring luxurious self-catering accommodations, stunning harbor views, and dog-friendly woodland walks.
A SCOTS airport has come under fire after dozens of passengers were left stranded in Stornoway on Thursday night. The Glasgow-bound Loganair flight departed from Stornoway Airport after 45 travelle…