Day 18 - North Lewis

Another sunny, warm morning.  There is a lot of places to see north of Stornaway so we went out early - before 9.  We started with Tolsta Head which is an out and back road opposite the Eye peninsula, where we were yesterday.  We stopped at the Gress Land Raiders monument so the second of 3 on the island and went to look at Gress beach on the other side of the road.

Gress Land Raiders Monument

Loch near the Gress Land Raiders Monument

Garden planter at Gress

Gress Beach

Paul at Gress Beach picnic area

We then moved on to look at a couple of other headlands and beaches before ending up at Garry Beach at the end of the road.  At this point is a bridge over the river.  When Lord Leverhulme owned Lewis and Harris he had great plans to remove the crofts and create larger farms for cattle and sheep farming and to bring in more industry.  One of his plans was to extend the Tolsta road to the Butt of Lewis and this bridge was about the last development on the road before he had to abandon all projects and leave the island after the government sided with the crofters. It is now known as 'The Bridge to Nowhere'.

Rams skull on Tolsta Head

Ghioradail Beach from the Tolsta Headland

The Bridge to Nowhere 

View of Garry beach from Bridge to Nowhere

Garry Beach

We made our way back and headed for the north west coast road, firstly taking the eastern side.  There were roadworks and a convoy system in operation which slowed us down a bit.  Just after passing the roadworks, we saw a lorry that had gone over and into a wall, presumably his wheels had sunk in the soft verge or he went down a ditch.  It was still there when we returned a few hours later.

DFDS lorry with driver on mobile

We stopped for coffee and cake at a community run cafe and noticed some people staring at something through the window.  It was 2 red deer running across the countryside.  We did see a stag later on in the day.  He was at the top of a hill just watching over the road.  We couldnt pull in to take a photo unfortunately.

 

We visited a few historic sites and nice beaches before going to the Butt of Lewis where there us a lighthouse. There were lots of rocks with nesting Fulmars just off the headland.

Steinacleit Stone circle 

Eoropaidh beach

Butt of Lewis lighthouse

Headland at Butt of Lewis

Rocks at Butt of Lewis

Rocks at Butt of Lewis

Butt of Lewis

As we left and drove down the road we saw a lot of cars and people taking photos of something on the beach down below.  A family had driven their car down a small track to the beach which is supposed to be for launching small boats.   They parked on the beach at low tide and got stuck in the soft sand.  They were waiting for help when we saw them and the tide was coming in. 

 

Numpty and others trying to help when car got stuck on the beach. 

 

As we made our way back we stopped at a few places and took a circular route back to Stornoway.

 

Swans at RSPB Stiapabhat Nature Reserve.  In the hide it showed that this reserve is the one of the first places migrating birds from Iceland will come to. 

 

RSPB Stiapabhat Nature Reserve 

 

Lapwing at RSPB Stiapabhat Nature Reserve 

 

Port of Ness Harbour where we had our lunch

 

Port of Ness Harbour  

 

Port of Ness Harbour  

 

Port of Ness - memorial to fishermen 

  

Stream alongside the Norse Mill at Shawbost

Inside the Norse Mill at Shawbost

Norse mill and Kiln at Shawbost

Whalebone Arch at Brager

Peat fire in Blackhouse.  We could smell it on our cloths for the rest of the day.

The Blackhouse Museum at Arnol.

 

The Blackhouse museum, Arnol.  

Blackhouse Museum, Arnol. The hay storage area

Clach an Truishall standing stone

 

Seen near the standing stone.  Looks like a thrush but too small and was making a different sound

 

 

After dinner we went for a walk around the harbour.  A German cruise ship had visited today and was preparing to leave. We watched it until it left the harbour then we came back.

 

Stornoway Harbour lighthouse 

Aida Luna cruise ship