Hebridean Way Cycling Route Section F: Callanish to Butt of Lewis

About

The route follows the west coast and further on from Callanish, you can take a break from the main road by riding through Tolsta Chaolais, a pretty village strung out around a loch. Then comes Dun Carloway; a broch which is thought to date from the last century BC and then the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where you can experience what life was like here a century ago.

Further along the road, the narrow beaches of Dalmore – much loved by surfers—and Dalbeg are just off to the left. Then comes a series of typical ‘west side’ villages; Shawbost, where there is a restored Norse Mill and the tweed mill that is leading the renaissance of Harris Tweed; Bragar with its famous whalebone arch and Arnol with its blackhouse museum, before arriving at Barvas.

There is a shop  just to the right of the junction and a gallery, just north of Barvas, exhibits local artists and bakes irresistible cakes. The Ballantrushal Stone at Shadar is the tallest standing stone in Scotland. Then after passing through Borve and Galson, another stretch of open moor brings you to the final string of villages that are collectively known as Ness. It is a surprising buoyant community for such a seemingly isolated place. Turn left at Lionel, where you have The Buttery cafe to the left and follow the signs for the Butt of Lewis where the route ends beneath the red-brick lighthouse built by brothers David and Thomas Stevenson in 1862.

The route that you started on the gentle machair 185 miles (297km) to the south ends here on these rugged cliffs.

Well done – you’ve done it! 185 miles, 10 Islands, 6 causeways and 2 ferries!