Hebridean Way Cycling Route Section E: Tarbert to Callanish

About

HARRIS

After so many miles of fairly easy riding, climbing through the hills of North Harris might come as a shock to the system. But it’s soon over and there are good views up to the summit of the Clisham, which is the highest hill in the Outer Hebrides, and down to the fjord-like Loch Seaforth. It is a good place to look for Golden Eagle; just scan the sky and if it has broad wings and a longish tail, it is most likely it’s an eagle. Then enjoy an exhilarating descent back down to sea-level and cross the border into Lewis.

LEWIS

Antiquities in Lewis can be found at every turn.  At Arivuraich in South Lewis, a roadside monument commemorates Bonnie Prince Charlie passing through in 1745 and further on a cairn at the turn for Eisgean remembers the local men who raided the Pairc Deer Park in 1887 to make a peaceful protest about their conditions. Then once you have turned left at Leurbost, where there is a well-stocked shop and a café, and crossed the moor to the west side, they come thick and fast.

First up are the famous standing stones at Callanish. Two smaller circles, Callanish II and Callanish III, are visible on the left as you enter the village, but Callanish I is accessed from the visitor centre, which has a shop and excellent café.