Interesting how so many of these main streets in little port towns have color, like they decided together.
Day 11 – Discovering Lewis and Harris
Today, we immerse ourselves in the history and landscapes of this wild island. We first head to Arnol Blackhouse. Here, we can experience what traditional farming life was like in these remote reaches without getting our hands too dirty.
A little down the road, we visit the stone fort of Dun Carloway. This structure was built before 100AD and has experienced more battles than we’ve had hot dinners. It’s a wonderful location to ponder over the vast swathes of history that have come before us.
The rest of our afternoon is spent in the beautiful beaches and mountains of the western side of Lewis. We head back to Stornoway in the late afternoon.
Overnight – Stornoway
The Lewis Chessmen, a very long and very old story.
A Tourist Farm with llamas and dinos and etc.
According to AI “This animal is a Kunekune pig, a domestic breed originally from New Zealand that is now commonly kept across farms and sanctuaries in Scotland”, also called a Hairy Pig!
WHAT?! These four+ horned sheep are called Hebridean sheep, “living links to the Iron Age”.
Doesn’t he look like he belongs in Viking mythology, or a satanic character from Hieronymus Bosch.
This is a picture of a picture, not mine, and shows how useful it is to be able to wait for the light. I mentioned before how there are standing stones all around the Highlands and we visit two or three sites today.
People were yelling at people to get out of their shot. “Move behind the stone! Step aside!” But not me, ’cause I’ve got photoshop.
Now you see her, now you don’t, from the tv show, or was it a movie, that they filmed here.
You see this scene everywhere, green hillsides and scattered sheep.
What a beach. I wasn’t expecting so many gorgeous beaches. I thought it would be too cold or too rough up there by the North Atlantic, but no.
There was a huge campsite up on the ridge above this scene of a happy-family-vacation.
These gals were at the campsite and I enjoy a delightful conversation with them, where they were from and where they were going.
Next stop, The Weaving Shed for a tutorial on Harris Tweed. We’re in Harris now btw, the area that borders Lewis, hence Lewis and Harris. I’m a HUGE fan of Harris now because I’ve finally found a replacement for my beloved Original (not! Sapphire) Bombay Gin, and it’s called Standard (not! Tidal) Isle of Harris Gin, and they export to the States.
This was super-interesting. One thing everyone agreed though, Harris Tweed is rough, thick, and itchy. We found this to be true everywhere we found Harris Tweed.
More sheep, more lochs (sea water or fresh water? who knows).
