Isle of Lewis - My recommended things to do, including where to eat and shop

Last year I spent a week on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.  After my trip many people asked me to write a blog post with my recommended attractions that they could refer to for their own trip.  However, even after a week, I felt I had only scratched the surface and although I could have easily written a classic '10 things to do' list, I would have been doing the island and my readers a disservice.

I strive for my Scottish travel guides to be among the best out there which means they are well researched and I personally visit every location I write about.  There is no point in me churning out another blog post that only features the popular attractions or I wouldn't be giving you anything that hasn't been written about widely already.  I want my Scotland travel blog to offer you something fresh, original and comprehensive which also showcases some of the many hidden gems that other guide books and blog posts miss out.

I only write about a place once I feel I have gotten to know it fairly well and have explored beyond the stereotype.  Often this involves multiple visits and in this case it took a second trip later in the year for me to feel comfortable enough to write about this captivating island. 

Lewis has a long history and a deep culture so to sum it up in a 'top ten' list doesn't do it justice. Although travel blogging is my job, at the heart of what I do is travelling to learn about and understand the destinations I visit on a deeper level. I hope to encourage others to do the same.

While this blog post featuring my recommended things to do on the Isle of Lewis could be used purely as a tick-list, I would suggest it is better used as a starting point for learning about the many aspects that have contributed to moulding the people and the culture of this interesting island in to the place you see today.

TRAVEL TIPS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

From top attractions to hidden gems, activities to try, and places to eat and shop - hopefully you will find something that appeals in my recommendations.  They are all tried and tested by me so you are getting the benefit of my personal experience to help you put together your own Isle of Lewis itinerary. 

Incidentally, if you are still needing some help to put your Scotland travel itinerary together or would like a local to check your plans are doable, then I offer a range of Scotland itinerary planning services that might be of interest.

Here are a few things to note when planning your trip to Lewis -

Parking at some of the popular attractions is quite limited and those with motor-homes seemed to be struggling to find a big enough space.  Arrive first thing if you can is my top tip for the popular places.

​Religion is a big part of life on the island and most places close on Sunday, which is a day of rest and worship.  This is worth remembering when you plan your itinerary.

​Public transport is limited so I do recommend a car to make the most of your time.

You can sail to the Isle of Lewis from Ullapool with CalMac Ferries - you might also like to read my recommended things to do in Ullapool

You can also reach Lewis by sailing from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Harris and driving to Lewis, which is the route I followed on my west coast of Scotland road-trip

I've also marked all of the places mentioned in this handy interactive map to help you plan your itinerary.

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A HANDY MAP OF LEWIS WITH ALL THE LOCATIONS MENTIONED

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My recommended things to do on the Isle of Lewis

Stroll along the beautiful beaches

While the Isle of Harris may be better known for its breathtakingly beautiful beaches, Lewis's southern neighbour definitely has some competition in the north.  In fact the beaches of Harris get so much limelight, the stunning offerings on Lewis tend to get a little overshadowed.   I wasn't aware of the plentiful large expanses of pristine sand on the island until I arrived.

On my first trip I stayed in North Tolsta and everyone in my family unanimously agreed that nearby Traigh Mhor was our personal favourite, with the adjacent Tràigh Ghearadha (Garry Beach) also being highly rated.  In case you are wondering - tràigh is Gaelic for sandy beach.

On my second trip I stayed in Ness and explored the nearby Eoropie Beach which turned out to be another favourite.  Other places I highly rate include Reef Beach, Cliff Beach at Valtos. and Tràigh Uig which is enormous and stunning but a I found it to be a bit busier than the others. 

I have no doubt there are many more I have yet to discover but these were a few favourites.

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Calanais Standing Stones & Visitor Centre

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