Blogs from Isle of Lewis, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

I am in paradise. I am on the west side of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides staying in my 4th Gatliff Trust hostel (of the same collection as the rustic hostel I last wrote about). This hostel is actually in a national heritage site and museum -- the bunkhouse is one of 6 preserved 'blackhouses' -- a traditional Norse stone thatched-roof longhouse. Few people realize that you can stay here and when they learn you can, they assume you would have to have booked long in advance. But you don't. You don't book at all. And so far, each night has only had a total of 6 or 7 lodgers -- less than half full. But we are perfectly placed here. I can't imagine a better location, nor time to be here. The ... read more

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bike stats: time cycling: 4 hours 13 minutes travelled 39.4 miles average speed 9.3mph max speed 30.7mph Today was still pretty wet and windy. We planned to do a circular trip west out of Stornoway to the Callanish Stone Circle and Carloway Broch on the west coast. We initially got a bit lost on the road out of Stornoway on the road back to Tarbert and struggled against very strong headwinds for a few miles before turning back. The actual turning we needed was cunningly disguised as an industrial type place! Once on the right road we were straight out into beautiful moorland and bogland scenery full of hills. Whoever said Lewis was flat was lying - ravens and eagles swooped around near the road. Unfortunately as I cycled I became aware of a twinge on ... read more

Cycle Stats: 1 hour 45 minutes cycling 12.1 miles travelled 6.9mph average speed (I keep having to remind myself when I despair at this speed that this is not too rubbish considering I was lugging my entire luggage, camping kit and a 5 litre mineral water bottle in my panniers!) 30.4mph max speed Woke up after a bad night's sleep due to the foul weather. However this morning we had the luxury of heinz beans with veggie sausages which I had picked up in the shop in Leverburgh the previous day - a delightful addition to our now habitual beans and tomatoes brekkies. We started the ride to Tarbert, the capital of Harris. Very mountainous and the ascents seemed to go on forever, occasionally we were pushed up the mountain by a tailwind. Sometimes it would ... read more