Day 9: South Lewis to North Lewis

After the excitement of yesterday, the wind took pity on us and blew us along the road to Stornoway in quick time. We are back to main roads and traffic which is a bit strange after days of quiet pedalling along, most of which on single track roads. We paused half way to Stornoway at a cafe recommended by other cyclists, to find it was full of cyclists in clouding several from our B & B!

Back on the road and we were in Stornoway before we knew it. We decided to visit the new Museum in Lews Castle before booking in at the Caladh Inn and enjoyed an hour or so learning more about the lives of the Hebrideans in a very creative set of displays. Lunch in the Cafe then a quick book in at the hotel before we took a walk through the town.

There isn't a great deal to see in Stornoway and it looks as if it has seen better days, but I did treat myself to a length of proper Harris Tweed (bit more pricey than a fridge magnet!) which will be made up in to a throw and posted to us next week! That will be my very nice reminder of our trip.

We found a cafe in the local Arts Centre which looks to be a popular place and I spotted a display of bunting from the Barra Bunting Project which I remembered coming across when planning our trip. This began as a community project on Barra but has extended to include bunting contributions from anyone who has visited Vatersay or Barra. I will be making mine and sending it when we get back home. I will have to have a good think about what stands out for me, apart from the wind of course!

So now a night in Stornoway before we turn back south tomorrow, hopefully taking in the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village and the Callanish Stones in a loop out to the west coast before we return to Loch Erisort.

My blip is of the very fine ceiling in the hall at Lews Castle.