Top Things to do in Isle of Lewis
What to do and see in Isle of Lewis, Scotland: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
A visit to the Isle of Lewis is like stepping into the pages of a Scottish fairy tale. Everywhere you look, medieval structures remind you of the island’s remarkable history. The legendary Callanish Standing Stones poke up from the ground like a strange and massive stone city. The Blackhouse, the Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln, and the Carloway Broch all offer insight into what life on Lewis used to look like. Cheerful Stornoway boasts a charming, colorful harbor and several lovely restaurants and pubs.
Restaurants in Isle of Lewis
1. Surf Lewis
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
SurfLewis & Harris offer Surfing, Stand Up Paddleboarding Open Water Swimming and Snorkelling lessons throughout the Isles of Lewis and Harris.
2. Out and About Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
If you are planning to pay a short visit to Lewis and Harris, a customized day tours would be the ideal way to see more of these beautiful islands.Out And About Tours can put together itineraries that provide opportunities to see all the highlights of both islands, although we would strongly recommend that you allow at least 2-3 days for your visit in order to see all that our islands have to offer.
3. Segway Hebrides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 137 reviews
The Segway Tours are not operating for the 202Segway Hebrides provides tours in Lews Castle Grounds in Stornoway. Travelling on the off-road Segway X2, we glide over terrain and tracks including coastal paths, riverside and woodlands. Your guide will provide historical, wildlife and local information in line with each group's interests. Tours start and end at the Woodlands Centre cafe.
4. Uig Sands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The whole area around the extensive Uig Sands is a must visit on any trip to Lewis.An hour or so from Stornoway but definitely Lewis's most beautiful area (along with Mangersta and Reef.) In fact this must be one of the most impressive areas in the whole of the Outer Isles. We were lucky in that the sun shone and we walked from the car park, for 20 mins to a particularly deserted part of the Uig sands (you could walk for miles all round the little bays and headlands) and had a picnic. Paradise. Beautiful pink/orange rock of the type I've seen on Iona were a gorgeous backdrop to the turquoise seas and white sands. There is a free (donation) area behind the main part of the beach, set back from the dunes, where wild camping is allowed supported by public toilets/showers. A replica large Lewis Chessman is passed while heading to the parking. Luskentyre is still to me the most beautiful area of all (and in any weather given the colours and rock/moorland there) but Uig is stunning also.
5. Eoropie Dunes Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By colinmV761IH - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
There are quite a few mentions in the reviews here that toilets were not installed during the time of folks' visits. I can now confirm there's a brand new facility with disabled access and baby changing. All that's asked for is a 30p contribution. It's to be noted that the toilet is only open when the snack kiosk next door is also open (holidays and Saturdays) due to the fact this is a volunteer organisation and cannot be manned every day.
6. Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By nethycurl - Nethy Bridge, United Kingdom
There are many wonderful beaches in the Western Isles. The island of Lewis and Harris is home to many. Bosta beach is not nearly the largest, but is one of the loveliest, and has the added attractions of a Time and Tide Bell and the nearby attraction of a reconstructed Iron Age House.
7. Dailbeag Beach
8. Callanish Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Callanish Alpacas remains open for drop-in visits/informal tours but not currently any booked feeding slots for practical and safety reasons. We have 6 female alpacas and are expecting baby alpacas between mid-April and early June! We also have 32 unusual looking chickens, a peacock and peahen, 7 rare breed four-horned Hebridean sheep, Dougal “the tour guide” sheep, 3 smiling goats and 55 ducks of various comical and striking breeds! All 100+ animals have names! Please note that the whereabouts of the animals is weather-dependent. There is no charge but a voluntary donation towards the cost of keeping the alpacas and other animals is welcomed. Mollans Takeaway and Craft Shop are on site. For further details and opening hours search Mollans.
Reviewed By Hereward102
Finally made it out to Callanish Alpacas with the family. A really great experience. A warm welcome and tour of the mini-farm, the kids loved feeding and petting the animals. We then had a delicious lunch at the Mollans shed with an equally warm welcome from Rachel and Julie. Highly recommended and a great way to spend a few hours with the kids.
9. Callanish Standing Stones
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,608 reviews
This ancient monument is one of the most significant archaeological spots in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.
Reviewed By naturequeen - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
The time to visit this if it were possible would be alone in the evening with you and the stones for company. Set in beautiful scenery and quite extraordinary it is well worth a visit when you are in this part of Scotland. Don't go to Scotland and not visit here. Great gift shop but the cafe was packed and very long queues because of its popularity so would suggest an "out of season" or out of school holidays if you don't want to be squeezed out by the other tourists visiting here.
10. An Lanntair Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By JillG411 - London, United Kingdom
This may only be a small museum, but I loved all the activities and films that went alongside the displays. All of Harris and Lewis life was represented here, from films in Gaelic to exhibits on tradtional jobs and crafts. Local people had been interviewed on different aspects of culture in the Outer Hebrides and their responses were shown in film clips, which I found fascinating. I loved the film explanation of the Lewis chessmen and the exhibit of some chessmen. I have decided to go to the British Museum and see some more of them based on this visit! There was a game about trying to work out what the Gaelic placename was in English to help the postman deliver his letters- good for the young and not so young! The exhibitions are housed in a modern, airy building with a long corridor showing views of the sea - and a coffee shop to recover from the showers. All in all, a very pleasant visit.
