ISLE OF LEWIS |
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN BY OURSELVES
Feel free to use any images you wish from the website F.O.C.
Hi-Res Images can be supplied for a small
admin charge of £3.00 per image
Email: chris@gcwweb.com
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Scene from Col Beach
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Early Morning Mist - Newmarket
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Meadow Pipit - Balallan
Ref:MEA2000
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You can see the mountains on the mainland covered in snow - taken from Col beach - Dec 2nd 2010
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The view looking across to Broad Bay as seen from our Front Windows at Newmarket - Isle of Lewis - so pretty. |
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There were about twelve meadow pipits, all flitting around ouside our house on the moors - May 2013. I had thought it was a rock pipit - but am informed that as this bird has pinkish legs and is olive coloured, then almost certainly it is a meadow pipit |
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Stornoway - Isle of Lewis
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The Broch - Isle of Lewis
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Callanish Stones
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View taken from the castle grounds April 2009 |
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These prehistoric standing stones are splendid. Why they were placed here in the Isle of Lewis is still an enigma.
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The gorse adds to the scene at the harbour near where the Seatrek departs for boat trips on Lewis |
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The jetty at Kneep near to the REef Beach - Isle of Lewis |
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The colours of the moor against the blue of the sky and loch are stunning |
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Stornoway Herring Girl Statue
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Stornoway - Western Isles
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Inside the Arnol Blackhouse
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View from the castle grounds opposite April 2009 |
The blackhouses were houses for both animals and humans. There was no chimney and a peat fire was lit at all times in the centre of the kitchen and living area. Click Here to Read More........ |
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Reef (Riof )Beach - Traigh na Beirghe
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Herring Gull - Lewis
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Valtos (Bhaltos) Beach - UIg
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A long, sweeping, and usually deserted beach! Sheltered by the islands of Pabaigh, Bhacasaigh and Siaram. |
Stornoway - a herring gull in the harbour |
The lovely Valtos beach - just a little way from the Reef beach is beautiful. |
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Garry Beach - Tolsta
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Kirkibost Pier
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Taken from the cliff tops after crossing"The Bridge to Nowhere" |
Garry Beach - Tolsta - Isle of Lewis - A lovely rock formation. |
Kirkibost Pier - Isle of Lewis - a working pier - The Western Isles |
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Bosta Beach - Great Bernera
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Near Valasay
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Bosta Beach
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Bosta Beach - Isle of Lewis
Great Bernera Beach |
A scene en route - a walk from Valasay to Bosta
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Bosta Beach - The Western Isles
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Cave - Garry Beach
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Great Bernera Drama
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Serenity - A peaceful walk Tolsta - Traig Mhor |
The cave is completely covered when the tide comes in |
Great colours in this dramatic scene - the skies were so wild |
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Sunset - Butt of Lewis
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Mievaig - Great Bernera
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As the sun sets near the Triumpan
Lighthouse - Butt of Lewis |
Another view of the sun setting on the Isle of Lewis |
I snapped this on as we passed by the lovely Mievaig village |
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HIghland Cow - Great Bernera
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Bosta Beach - Great Bernera
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What a backdrop for this rather large highland cow on Great Bernera |
Another view of the rocks at Bosta Beach the Isle of Lewis |
Another view looking out from the lovely Bosta Beach |
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Bosta Beach
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Scenery from Bridge to Nowhere
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Dunes - Traigh Mhor - Tolsta
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Looking out to sea from the lovely Bosta Beach Great Bernera |
Looking out to sea from the Bridge to Nowhere - Lewis |
View looking down on Traigh Mhor Beach Tolsta from the tops |
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Kinloch - Rainbow
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Mealista - Near Uig
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Valtos (Bhaltos) Beach
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Travelling from Stornoway towards Harris - we saw this lovely rainbow |
Mealista - near Uig -Isle of Lewis |
Breaking waves at Valtos Beach near Uig |
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Snow Scene - Nov 2010
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Scenery - Phentland Rd
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Snowy November in Lewis
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Snowy scene - Isle of Lewis - late November - near Loch Seaforth
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The Old and The New - The remains of an old building in the foreground - the 3 wind turbines in the rear. |
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Actually only a slight covering of snow - so pretty though - Nov 2010
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Snow Scenery - Isle of Lewis |
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Long and Winding Rd |
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View from Col Beach |
Snowy scenes - Western Isles beauty - late November 2010
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A scenic drive shows us the long and winding road in the snow
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The view of the snow covered hills on the mainland - taken from Col Beach - Dec 2nd 2010
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The Lone Piper - Near Uig - Mar 2012
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Scarecrow - 2011 - Near Uig
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Stormy Seas - Mangersta
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This is just one of the splendid displays that someone regularly treats us to - near Uig - Lewis,, look out for different ones which just appear as if by magic - Thank you, they are just great! |
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These scarecrows really are a work of art, the artist has a great sense of humour and fun - Near Uig - Isle of Lewis |
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The waves just pounded the rocks at Mangersta - near Uig - Isle of Lewis. |
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Bog Bean
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Bog bean - near Uig
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Moorland Mealista
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Lovely bog br=ean in a loch near Uig -stunning pinky-white-wildflowers |
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Moorland near Mealista - near Uig - Isle of Lewis. |
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Flag on the Calmac Ferry
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As we left Lewis - the flag on the ferry - and the glinting sea. |
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| ISLE OF LEWIS |
The northern part of the Western Isles - known as Lewis, which is not an isle on its own, but is joined to Harris in the south. Between the two, is a range of mountains. The Isle of Lewis is the larges and most northern island of the Outer Hebrides. The northern part of the island is largely flat, with much peat land, but has some gorgeous beaches on its coastline edges.
The south part of the island has dramatic scenery, with remote hills around Uig and the Pairc peninsula. The beautiful hills of the Isle of lewis are rugged and spectacular.
The day to day life on Lewis is different to that on the mainland. The Sundays are to a great extent kept sacred, the observance of the Sabbath being just one thing that visitors will notice.
Another is that the Gaelic language which has been passed down the generations is still spoken by quite a few people.
Also, tourists might notice the piles of peat that are laid around, as many locals still cut the peat and leave to dry, to use for heating on coal fires
The traditional industries of crofting, fishing also feature in the islands day to day living although now, not nearly as much as they have in the past.
Weaving also, still plays a part in the Islands life although it is actually Lewis that is now the main centre for the Harris Tweed industry. The popularity of the tweed was certainly waning somewhat recently, however the pure quality and indeed new designs and a little more innovative marketing seems to be ensuring that the tradition lives on. Indeed the tweed is being exported to places like China, where it is becoming ever popular.
The main fishing fleet is somewhat reduced from its heyday, but together with fish farms and the onshore processing and transportation, the fishing industry as a whole is still a major employer. The public sector however is the biggest employer, involving 40% of today’s working population.
Historically the Isle of Lewis and The Isle of Harris have gone their separate ways, despite the existence of the common clan surname Macleod. - however today The Isle of Lewis and Harris are more united with the Western isles Council - the Comhairle nan Eilean Star, playing a great role in their present day
The Isle of Lewis is and island where culture and history have played and indeed still play a great part in the current life. Gaelic is still spoken readily by a lot of the locals - although most of the local people speak English as well. Most of the Isle is covered in blankets of peat and the rugged landscape and the beautiful beaches really do make Lewis and Island to remember.
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