The Isle of Lewis and Harris off the coast of Northern Scotland is such a hidden gem and absolutely worth visiting. I roadtripped through with some friends, and the beaches, nature, and small towns were simply breathtaking! My friend, a local to the island, showed me around and gave me a list of the best things to do to get the full experience on the isles. These include some local secrets and favorite spots, as well as beaches, incredible nature, lighthouses, etc. I hope you enjoy this list of the best things to do in the Isle of Lewis and Harris!
For a map of the spots on this list, click HERE!
Things To Bring To Scotland With You
- Rick Steves Scotland book.
- Rick Steves is probably my favorite person in the whole world. His books have every single detail you could ever need: emergency numbers, history, local secrets, walking routes, etc. This is a must have!
- Portable chargers
- While Lewis and Harris are incredible, towns are few and far between. Don’t risk your phone dying and not having access to service or maps! Grab this pack of chargers to ensure you won’t get stranded in the middle of this Scottish island.
- Waterproof backpack cover
- I love Scotland with all my heart, but my Scottish enemy is the weather. It’s nearly always raining, snowing, or cloudy. If you’re backpacking through, it’s super important to keep all of your things dry! Grab this super cheap and practical backpack cover on Amazon.
- Outlet adapter
- If you’re traveling from the US or another country with different outlets, be sure to have some sort of adapter so you can charge your devices!
- For other crucial items for backpacking through Europe or camping in general…
Going to Scotland? You May Be Interested In…
How To Get Around
The one difficult part of the island is that it’s pretty difficult to get around if you don’t have a car. The places you’ll be visiting are pretty far from each other, and buses are often inconsistent and reliable. If you have a car, epic! You’re all set. If not, DON’T SKIP THIS SPOT! I just recommend a guided tour. I listed a few below for you!
Guided Day Tour of Lewis
6-Day Outer Hebrides and Isle of Skye Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh
3-Day Hebrides Tour from Inverness: Isles of Lewis and Harris
To explore more, click here!
Stornaway
Stornoway is the largest city in the Outer Hebrides and the capital city of the island. It’s a great spot to head to first, and you can find some coffee, stock up on groceries, and be on your merry way. You don’t need more than a few hours or so in this city, but while in Stornoway, be sure to check out the places below:
- The harbour
- Museum Nan Eilean
- Click here for all information about directions, parking, hours, etc. Tickets are by donation.
- Lews Castle and Museum
- Click here for more info!
Blackhouses in Lewis and Harris
Blackhouses are super interesting and a staple of the Outer Hebrides. They tell the story of life on the islands and show how resilient the islanders have been with the harsh environment. They were usually made of stone and thatch, using peat as a roofing material. The interior was split into two sections, one acting as the living quarters for the residence and the other for animals such as cows, sheep, or goats. All of the bodies in the house helped retain body heat, especially in the very harsh and cold temperatures. The name “blackhouse” likely comes from the smoke produced by the open fire in the center of the house, which would blacken the walls. There was often no chimney, so the smoke would escape through a small opening in the roof.
Overall, there are two cool spots where you can go see blackhouses, and you can also see ruins of blackhouses pretty much everywhere you go. Go check out the Blackhouse at Arnol (click here for info and tickets) and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village (where you can actually spend the night! Click here)!
Calanais Standing Stones
If you know anything about Stonehenge, you have to check out the Calanais Standing Stones! It’s like a mini-Stonehenge, without the crazy tourism and rituals.
Beaches
The beaches on the isle are so incredible, with lighthouses, the incredible colors of the water, and insane rock structures. Below is a list of spots you absolutely have to go check out, either for a swim, a picnic, or just to explore the beautiful landscape.
Traigh Dhail Beag (Dalbeg)
Luskentyre Sands (Harris)
Port of Ness Beach and Lighthouse
Horgabost Beach
Seilebost Beach
- While you’re in the area, there’s a wonderful little cafe with coffee and pastries that you can stop by and look out at the nearby beaches! Its called Eat Drink Hebrides – Talla na Mara!
Talbert Harris Tweed Shop
If you’ve ever been to the UK, you’ll have seen the famous Harris Tweed in nearly every shop; they make everything from wallets to jackets to random souvenirs. The spot where all the tweed is made and sold is on the Isle of Harris in Talbert! It’s a tiny little shop, but it was so cool to see the origin of such a well-known brand.
Thanks For Reading!
Thanks so much for being here! Every time you come to my page, you’re making my dreams come true. The Isle of Lewis and Harris was such a special time in my life, and I hope you are able to go on a adventure here that you remember forever! Happy exploring! xoxoxoxo, AnitaBelle
