Our Lewis MegaTour is unique. It is designed for the visitor who wishes the maximum amount of time at the principal heritage features - especially prehistoric sites - of Lewis. It is the only scheduled trip which allows long periods at not only the celebrated [principal] Callanish site, but also the very important satellite arrays. We appreciate that, as a day trip, it may seem expensive but it gives exceptional value for money.
Gearrannan Blackhouse Village
ITINERARY
The Puffin Express minicoach picks you up from your accommodation in Inverness
between 0705 and 0730. We head north and west for the 1¼-hour drive to Ullapool
in Wester Ross. At Ullapool we join the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Stornoway,
a 2¾-hour journey.
On arrival in Stornoway we immediately set off south and west to Ceann Hulavig, a fine circle with 5 stones still standing, sometimes known as Callanish IV:
We then drive to the small parking area near Cnoc
Fillibhear Beag, also known as Callanish III. A short walk brings us to this array of a dozen stones, four standing inside a circle of eight.
Callanish III, above left; above right, detail: fallus or phallacy?
From here you may accompany the driver to Cnoc
Ceann a'Gharraidh, also known as Callanish II (below), but if conditions are agreeable, we suggest you walk the few hundred yards.
Above left, Callanish II; above right, one of the stones seen edge-on.
Many visitors find these sites extremely exciting, the
casual visitor to Lewis tends to neglect them in favour of the main Callanish
site.
We then continue to the main Standing
Stones of Callanish site (below).
Main photo courtesy of Lubos Fiala
Click on thumbnails (above) for detailed pictures of two of the stones, and here
for more pictures and information on Callanish.
We give you a whopping two-and-a-quarter hours (135 minutes) - or even longer, see below - to explore Callanish I, II and III. You have great flexibility; you may acompany your driver-guide in the vehicle or you may walk between some or all of these three circles. (Total distance, should you walk between all three, is a little over a mile:
< 2km.)
We then continue north to the
Great
Broch of Carloway. Brochs are circular defensive towers from the Iron Age,
and are found only in Scotland, especially in the north. Dun Carloway is one
of the best preserved. We spend 45 minutes here.
If you wish even more time at Callanish, you can forgo the broch visit.
A general view of Dun Carloway, or the Great Broch of Carloway
Click on thumbnails below for more detailed images showing (left to right):
The typical double-walled construction;
The stone stairway in the gap beyween the walls;
A general view of the interior
Continuing north by the west coast of Lewis we come to our last long stop - the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village.
Blackhouses were a form of dwelling widely used in the Outer
Hebrides.
Gearrannan is special because it was occupied until the 1970s when the inhabitants left as a group to be rehoused in modern homes. It is a whole village, with the field system still clearly visible. Lastly, it has a very attractive position.
There is a café in one of the blackhouses, and another is open as a museum (admission fee applies).
We spend 45 minutes here before returning to Stornoway about 1815hrs and boarding our ferry for the return
crossing to Ullapool. We drive back to Inverness, arriving about 2315hrs,
and drop you at your accommodation.
The ground at some of the sites - especially Callanish II and Callanish III - can be boggy after rain so you should
have good footwear.
Windproof clothing at any time of year is advisable.
Our fare of £ 99 includes:
pick-up at accommodation in Inverness;
guided tour
to Ullapool;
return [round-trip] ferry Ullapool-Stornoway by Caledonian MacBrayne;
guided tour as described within Lewis. Our guide is usually someone who is also familiar with Stonehenge; Avebury; the Orkney monuments; and some of those at Carnac. Though not a professional archaeologist, (s)he will add to the enjoyment of your trip;
return transport Ullapool-Inverness and drop-off at accommodation;
VAT (ie sales tax) of 17.5%
Two-day trip:
