Isle of Lewis Scotland Day 2

Day 47/Scotland 24

Travelled:120km

Stay:Dalmore Beach- carpark, toilets N58.3047 W6.7519

Visited: memorials, Ness Port, Butt of Lewis, sheiling/hut, Blackhouse Arnol, Norse Mill and Kiln

We woke up to fog which came and went throughout the day. Our destination this morning was to the Butt of Lewis. From Tolsta we had to back track on the B895. Along the way we stopped at a Memorial for crofters who fought for their rights to be granted some land after the war, as was promised by the government, but Lord Leverhume was not forthcoming.

 The next Memorial was for a battle between 2 clans over cattle.

 We also stopped to have a look at the Steinacleit stones.

 We then strolled around the quaint Port of Ness. 

We finally reached  the Butt of Lewis renowned to be the windiest point in all of Britain. 

 

Luckily the weather was kind to us and we enjoyed a stroll along the cliffs, watching the seals basking on the rocks below.

 We then had to double back on the A857 stopping for lunch at a sheiling/hut. They were very common for people to use in the warmer months escaping the long winters spent in the Blackhouses.

 We visited the reconstructed Arnol Blackhouse that got their name because newer Whitehouses we built and it was to distinguish the two appart. The Blackhouse traditionally had the livestock living under the same roof as the human occupants (although there were partitions).

 A peat fire would burn continuesly. The smoke would kill bugs in the thatch roof and would enable fish to be dried.

Took this with the flash and you notice the smoke.

Box bed.

Where the animals live.

In the ‘white houses’ the animals were kept outside and had a modern layout.

 As the day was getting on, we chose a spot for tonight. Along the way we saw a tourist brown sign pointing to a Norse Mill and Kiln. So we went to have a look at these lovely 2 restored huts. The kiln was to dry the grain before it was milled.

 Then off to Dalmore beach we drove, managed to find a flat spot and enjoyed a lovely walk.

 

Can just see Bluey