Beth Maclean . June 2024
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We were delighted to have 6th year student Beth Maclean, from the Nicolson Institute high school in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis doing her work placement with us through the Developing the Young Workforce scheme (DYW). Beth is undertaking a Business Administration Foundation Apprenticeship and was looking for a work experience opportunity to fulfil her keen interest in travel, languages and business.
Beth Maclean, DYW Apprentice and Sarah Maclean, CEO, Outer Hebrides Tourism
During her work placement with Outer Hebrides Tourism (Visit Outer Hebrides), she created this excellent blog to highlight the wonders of the westside of Lewis.
1. Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor Centre
Image: Michael Dutson
These magnifient megaliths were erected some 5000 years ago. No one quite knows why but it is thought that it was a kind of astronomical observatory.
You can access the stones from the car park, but note that the the Callanish Visitor Centre is currently undergoing a refurbishment and will, on completion, have state of the art facilities. From 25 March - 31 October 2024, there will be limited facilities - a food trailer, a pop-up shop and toilets and they will be available Mon - Sat from 9am - 5pm. For a short time, some services will be accessible in the centre, including ‘The story of the stones’ exhibition.
More information can be found here.
2. Dun Carloway Broch
Image: Rachel Keenan
An impressive Scottish stone structure built around 200AD can be found on a hilltop, standing at 9m tall. It is the best-preserved Iron Age structure in Lewis. The broch has been used as a ‘family home’. Pottery kiln and as shelter for the Morrison clan of Ness during cattle rustling on the Macaulay clan in the 1500s.
Some of the broch’s main features include: a ground-level low entrance to the broch and a double wall with 2 levels of internal galleries.
At the broch you will find a visitor centre, bus parking and a car park.
More information here.
3. Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
Image: Kathy Allen
Located in Carloway, the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village allows you to step back in time by exploring these traditional stone-walled houses. Each house in the village is finished with a beautiful thatched roof. By exploring the village you will get a feel for what life was like in times gone by. Each house has a traditional peat fire, making the atmosphere cosy and welcoming. In the village, you will find a museum where you can learn more about the history of the village and the way of life. There is also a gift shop and café.
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.30pm
More information can be found here.
Image by: @hungoinscotland
Located just off the A858 road near Shawbost and a short walk along a path, you will find 2 renovated thatched stone structures that were traditionally used as a mill and kiln to convert barley into meal. These structures were even used right up to the 1930’s. The building on the right was used to make the corn ready for milling. The building on the left had the mill in the centre to move the paddles and mill wheel.
More information can be found here.
Image: Rachel Keenan
A striking archway located between 2 houses next to the A858 in Bragar. The archway comprises of the 2 lower jawbones of a blue whale that came ashore during the 1920’s. It is a relic of our island’s whaling past. As the charge failed to explode, the whale bone and the Harpoon is still intact.
6. Grinneabhat Centre
Image: Grinneabhat
Once the local school in Bragar, Grinneabhat busilding was converted to a locally run community hub which contains a café and exhibition.
Grinneabhat also has a hostel with 4 rooms for guests, all of which have en-suites. One of the rooms is fully wheelchair accessible. There is also a guest kitchen, for 12 people at most.
The centre also runs events, some of which are weekly, e.g. Every Tuesday there is a coffee morning from 11am-12pm in their community room.
More information available here.
7. Arnol Blackhouse
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Image: @moomafrazzle
Located in Arnol, the traditional blackhouse allows you to get a feel for life in times gone by exploring the blackhouse and seeing the byre which housed the animals. You can also look in the small, cosy box-beds in the bedroom. Fun fact: there is a peat-fire in the middle of the room that is never allowed to stop. Across from the blackhouse is a whitehouse which was built in the 1920’s. This differs from the blackhouse as it has windows, rigid walls, chimneys and an angled roof, similar to our style today.
8. Additional Amenities/Useful Information
Carloway Shop - Has a launderette and café as well as the shop itself. Opening times: Monday-Saturday from 9am-7pm
Toilets/Recycling Points - click here to view map
Bus Timetables - W2 Westside
Related
The standing stones of Calanais are the most famous archaeological monument in the Outer Hebrides. It is a remarkable complex comprising a circle of 13 stones, with a central monolith, and a small chambered tomb which was later wedged between it and
A cèilidh/meeting place with arts and cultural exhibitions, a café, accommodation, events and classes. A warm welcome – ceud mìle fàilte – awaits visitors from near and far at Grinneabhat.
This is the best preserved and most visited broch in the Outer Hebrides. It occupies a low hilltop with commanding views across the seaways to the south and west.
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