Isle of Lewis

Lewis is the largest and most populous of the Outer Hebridean islands, with over 6000 residents living in the main port of Stornoway alone. With its media village in Stornoway, Lewis is well established as a centre of Gaelic television production, and numerous quality documentaries have been made in and about the area. Bursting with world famous archaeological sites, Lewis holds the Neolithic 'Callanish Stones,' (which predate the Egyptian Pyramids) the Pictish Carloway Broch (roundhouse,) and the Norse mill house.

The west coast of these islands experience the full impact of the North Atlantic swells and have the most consistent surf in Europe - this surf was broadcast worldwide on Sky Sports last year for the first time thanks to the first Hebridean international Surfing Competition. The whole landscape of the island is built for adventure with great sea cliffs to abseil and bays and islands to explore by kayak or boat. The main town of Stornoway surprises most first time visitors as it has all the amenities and industry of a small mainland town, as well as a lively and vibrant social scene, especially at the weekends! There are a host of pubs, restaurants and clubs to keep you busy as well as organised events and ceilidhs. In Stornoway, the Lews Castle grounds is an extensive mixed woodlands planted in the mid 19th century by Sir James Matheson and now owned by the community - this is a popular location for fashion shoots. There is a huge variety of trees including some rare foreign species. Common seals fill the harbour and it is likely that you will spot dolphins, whales and sharks if you venture out onto the water.