Whenever we talk of dramatic landscapes and stunning scenery in Scotland, a number of sites click through our minds including, Isle of Lewis. The island stuns with its beauty and accommodates a significant number of tourists annually. This piece of information is going to talk about this isle, its history, culture, and things to do there.
History of Isle of Lewis
The Isle of Lewis has a rich history shaped by Norse and Gaelic influences. Early settlers arrived around 5000 years ago. By the 9th century, Norse Vikings established control. In the 12th century, the island came under Gaelic rule, and Christianity spread. Lewis was later divided between clans, notably the Macleods and the Mackensies, who ruled until the 19th century.
In the 1800s, the island underwent significant changes, including Highland Clearances and Act of Dress, which led to depopulation and domestic disturbance. Today, the Isle of Lewis is popular for its archaeological sites, including the famous Standing Stones of Callanish.
The Culture of Lewis Isle
The site is quite less populated and just 21,574 people live there and the majority there is Christian. Therefore, the culture of the Isle of Harris and Lewis is deeply rooted in its Presbyterian tradition. Once part of the Norse Kingdom of the Isles, the island maintains a strong connection to its past. Today, life on Lewis remains distinctive within Scotland, with a deep respect for Sabbath observance, which significantly influences the community’s rhythm.
The Scottish Gaelic language thrives here, preserving a link to the island’s ancient heritage. Additionally, traditional practices like peat cutting are still common, reflecting the islanders’ close relationship with the land and their customs that set Lewis apart from other regions of Scotland.
Precautionary measures before exploring Isle of Lewis
A large population worldwide is fascinated towards this isle and visiting it is still a dream to many. Surprisingly, some people arrange a visit without proper planning and management. As a result, they could not enjoy the history and beauty of the site. We have compiled a list of points to recall while planning to visit Isle of Lewis, but prior we must plan everything. So, have a look at the list of things to consider first.
- Plan everything before you leave for the trip. Know about the weather in Isle of Lewis and ensure to dress accordingly.
- While deciding your outfits, keep the value of kilt outfits in mind since locals respect their traditional dress a lot. Even wearing the Isle of Lewis tartan kilt might be a better idea, worn initially by the Lewis family.
- Keep the temperature of the Island in mind while preparing your bag, since the temperature in winter can reach 9°C and in summer it can be 17°C, according to Weather & Climate.
- Book your hotels before you leave, because the Isle of Harris and Lewis accommodation might be difficult to find on peak days.
- Parking might be an issue there just like the Isle of Arran, so be careful while leaving your vehicle and do not block the roads.
Sites to Explore the History
We already know about the history of Lewis Island, but to explore the history personally, one must visit the site himself. Without a doubt, a tour will help discover the history more deeply. Similarly, it will be fun. Here are some historical sites to visit explaining how old the island is.
Visit Callanish Standing Stones
Callanish Standing Stones is a historical site there which is said to become a part of the World between 2600 to 2900 BC. However, the religious rituals started there 2000 years ago. The site from the skyview truly reflects the beauty of Scotland. There are 13 stones standing in a circle with one in the center, thought to be a sign of ancient religion. Many theories are connected to it, while the strongest one is to track the duration of the moon and sun.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village is another popular destination to dig out the history of Scotland. Humans have been inhabiting there for centuries, a common example is its use as a conversation area in the 1600s. A typical thing setting it apart from other Scottish villages is its unique houses, the blackhouses.
The houses are very different from modern houses since they comprise humans and housed animals together. They have holes on the rooftop to let the smoke out of home. Actually, the smoke changes the colour of houses to the black, that’s why they are called blackhouses.
Lews Castle
A Scotland tour is never complete without visiting Scottish castles, since the fortresses exist in every town or city, almost. In Lewis Isle, a castle telling about the past of its people is Lews Castle, which is not that older but still witnessed different Scottish circumstances. Built in 1847, it is a must-to-visit site.
Museum & Tasglann nan Eilean is the center of attention in this castle. Many historical things in the museum surprise people relating to the prehistoric era. People with knowledge about the Lewis Isle must be aware of the Isle Chess set. The set is kept in the museum connected to this island. Likewise, the gallery has thousands of more things explaining the history.
Carloway Broch
Explore the actual depth of Lews’ history by visiting Carloway Broch said to be constructed in 200 BC. Broch was the fort used by chieftains for living purposes instead of defensive buildings. Evidence claims the usage of this site till 1000 AD. Visiting the destination might be a surprising gift for those preferring Scottish road trips.
Scottish road trips.
Local Events of Isle of Harris and Lewis
Local events or festivals are a unique source to describe the history of a place. Similarly, some events are specified to this island that take place annually. Some of these events are Highland games, Hebridean Celtic Festival, etc.
Hebridean Celtic Festival
The Hebridean Celtic Festival, or HebCelt, is a vibrant celebration of Celtic music held annually in Stornoway(a town in Scotland), usually in July. The festival showcases a mix of traditional and contemporary music, featuring both local and international artists. It includes concerts, workshops, and ceilidhs, creating an energetic atmosphere.
Lewis Highland Games
The Lewis Highland Games, typically held in August, is a quintessential Scottish event celebrating the island’s Highland and Gaelic heritage. It features traditional athletic events like the caber toss, hammer throw, and tug-of-war, alongside pipe bands and Highland dancing.
Stornoway Christmas Lights Festival
The Stornoway Christmas Lights Festival, held in December, marks the beginning of the holiday season with dazzling light displays throughout the town. This festive event features a parade, live music, food stalls, and markets, offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere for locals and tourists alike.
Fèis an Eilein
Fèis an Eilein, held in the summer (annually in july), is a vibrant Gaelic arts festival celebrating the island’s rich cultural heritage through music, dance, and language. Participants of all ages can join in, learning about the island’s history and traditions. It’s an immersive experience that fosters a deeper understanding of the Hebrides’ Gaelic roots and creative expressions.
Adventurous Activities at Lewis Island
We complete exploring the history of the Island by visiting some ancient sites. Let us talk about some fun activities to make the tour unforgettable and explore history as well. As a tourist, a person has a lot of things to do there including:
Water Sport: At Lewis Island, many water sports can be enjoyed including kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding, and swimming.
Boating: One of the best ways to explore the beautiful water and the areas surrounding it is booking a charter boat and leaving for a boat trip.
Cycling: According to experts, no way is better than cycling to explore the real identity of this island. Grab the cycle at the east coast and leave for the west coast to witness something unique.
Walking & Climbing: Can you imagine seeing a rock and not climbing it? Definitely not. Similarly, leaving yourself for a walk on bumpy and pebble routes is a favourite activity of many.
Fishing: No one can stop him from fishing when a Scottish shore is in the front. The chances of doing so becomes minimal when the water in front is Isle of Lewis.
Beach Landing: The Isle of Lewis has a beach, Traigh Mhor where planes land.
Hotel in Lewis
Lewis has many hotels for the tourists to serve them. Similarly, every type of hotel can be found there from luxurious to cheaper ones. One thing to keep in mind about the locals is that they love hospitality and they respect their guests. So, while staying at any hotel, one must consider paying them back and respect them.
Cheap Hotels
Luxury Hotels
Restaurants in Isle of Harris and Lewis
A unique way to learn about the past of people or the place where they live is to taste or study about their traditional dishes. No chance to miss this point, even if a person is in Scotland. The Lewis Isle has a traditional dish “Guana, the gannet chicken” that must be tried. But the question is where to try? The location has many restaurants including:
- Old School Restaurant
- The Old Inn & Waterfront Bunkhouse
- Smokin Skye BBQ
- Restaurant at the Duisdale
- Claymore Restaurant
Other Must visit Scottish Islands
Scotland has almost 790 islands, while 94 of them are recorded as the ones where people inhabit. On the other hand, most of the total number are visitable with different landscapes and climates. Here is a list of other isles that one must consider visiting to experience something amazing.
- Isle of Skye
- Orkney Island
- Mull Island
- Isle of Raasay
- Isle of Iona
Isle of Lewis is a stunning destination in Scotland and remains a choice for many visitors every year. Symptoms of humans living there goes 5000 years back while the culture there is quite different from other parts of Scotland. A majority there is religious, that’s why many Churches can be seen there. Visitors must plan the trip wisely to explore the history of the site, while some historical and popular destinations are Callanish standing stones, Lews Castle, Carloway Broch, etc.
