Top Things to do in Lewis and Harris
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What to do and see in Lewis and Harris, Scotland: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
A visit to Lewis and Harris is like stepping into the pages of a Scottish fairy tale. In Lewis, the northern part of the island, the legendary Callanish Standing Stones poke up from the ground like a strange and massive rock city. The Blackhouse, the Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln, and the Carloway Broch all offer a peek at what island life used to look like. In southern Harris, the east side beaches boast some of the oldest known rocks in the world, dating back millions of years. Cruise over to the volcanic islands of St. Kilda to explore the ruins of a medieval village.
Restaurants in Lewis and Harris
1. Luskentyre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,055 reviews
Reviewed By gillyy2014 - Norwich, United Kingdom
This is as close to heaven as you could get, it took my breath away so calming and peaceful.The white sand and crystal clear sea that just go on for miles and miles with the Harris hills as a backdrop it truely is a magical place
2. Uig Sands
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By Scotlandmac - Glasgow, United Kingdom
The whole area around the extensive Uig Sands is a must visit on any trip to Lewis.An hour or so from Stornoway but definitely Lewis's most beautiful area (along with Mangersta and Reef.) In fact this must be one of the most impressive areas in the whole of the Outer Isles. We were lucky in that the sun shone and we walked from the car park, for 20 mins to a particularly deserted part of the Uig sands (you could walk for miles all round the little bays and headlands) and had a picnic. Paradise. Beautiful pink/orange rock of the type I've seen on Iona were a gorgeous backdrop to the turquoise seas and white sands. There is a free (donation) area behind the main part of the beach, set back from the dunes, where wild camping is allowed supported by public toilets/showers. A replica large Lewis Chessman is passed while heading to the parking. Luskentyre is still to me the most beautiful area of all (and in any weather given the colours and rock/moorland there) but Uig is stunning also.
3. Eoropie Dunes Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By colinmV761IH - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
There are quite a few mentions in the reviews here that toilets were not installed during the time of folks' visits. I can now confirm there's a brand new facility with disabled access and baby changing. All that's asked for is a 30p contribution. It's to be noted that the toilet is only open when the snack kiosk next door is also open (holidays and Saturdays) due to the fact this is a volunteer organisation and cannot be manned every day.
4. Scarista Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 205 reviews
Reviewed By trippingovertheglobe - London, United Kingdom
This was such an amazing beach, stunning views all around, soft white sands, and hardly anybody around. We had earlier visited Luskentyre beach, and found that to be far too busy and an unpleasant experience due to the hoards of people and human excrement everywhere. You can park just on the road side here, just before you get to Northton, and walk through the field, and into the dunes where the wonders of this beach then reveal themselves. We spent a magical and solitary couple of hours here, just marvelling at the views and solitude. We will be back
5. Traigh Bhostadh (Bosta Beach)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By nethycurl - Nethy Bridge, United Kingdom
There are many wonderful beaches in the Western Isles. The island of Lewis and Harris is home to many. Bosta beach is not nearly the largest, but is one of the loveliest, and has the added attractions of a Time and Tide Bell and the nearby attraction of a reconstructed Iron Age House.
6. Huisinis Beach
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By MartinC209 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
We were advised to visit here by our hotel. Sadly the weather was not good with heavy rain most of the time but even so the scenery and views were spectacular on the road to get there. On a sunny day it would be simply magnificent. At the end of the drive, which takes a good 30 minutes I would say, is the beach which is beautiful (even in the rain). There is a small camper van campsite there.
7. Callanish Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 31 reviews
Callanish Alpacas remains open for drop-in visits/informal tours but not currently any booked feeding slots for practical and safety reasons. We have 6 female alpacas and are expecting baby alpacas between mid-April and early June! We also have 32 unusual looking chickens, a peacock and peahen, 7 rare breed four-horned Hebridean sheep, Dougal “the tour guide” sheep, 3 smiling goats and 55 ducks of various comical and striking breeds! All 100+ animals have names! Please note that the whereabouts of the animals is weather-dependent. There is no charge but a voluntary donation towards the cost of keeping the alpacas and other animals is welcomed. Mollans Takeaway and Craft Shop are on site. For further details and opening hours search Mollans.
Reviewed By Hereward102
Finally made it out to Callanish Alpacas with the family. A really great experience. A warm welcome and tour of the mini-farm, the kids loved feeding and petting the animals. We then had a delicious lunch at the Mollans shed with an equally warm welcome from Rachel and Julie. Highly recommended and a great way to spend a few hours with the kids.
8. Callanish Standing Stones
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,608 reviews
This ancient monument is one of the most significant archaeological spots in Scotland's Outer Hebrides.
Reviewed By naturequeen - Huddersfield, United Kingdom
The time to visit this if it were possible would be alone in the evening with you and the stones for company. Set in beautiful scenery and quite extraordinary it is well worth a visit when you are in this part of Scotland. Don't go to Scotland and not visit here. Great gift shop but the cafe was packed and very long queues because of its popularity so would suggest an "out of season" or out of school holidays if you don't want to be squeezed out by the other tourists visiting here.
9. An Lanntair Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 243 reviews
Reviewed By JillG411 - London, United Kingdom
This may only be a small museum, but I loved all the activities and films that went alongside the displays. All of Harris and Lewis life was represented here, from films in Gaelic to exhibits on tradtional jobs and crafts. Local people had been interviewed on different aspects of culture in the Outer Hebrides and their responses were shown in film clips, which I found fascinating. I loved the film explanation of the Lewis chessmen and the exhibit of some chessmen. I have decided to go to the British Museum and see some more of them based on this visit! There was a game about trying to work out what the Gaelic placename was in English to help the postman deliver his letters- good for the young and not so young! The exhibitions are housed in a modern, airy building with a long corridor showing views of the sea - and a coffee shop to recover from the showers. All in all, a very pleasant visit.
10. Butt of Lewis Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 483 reviews
Reviewed By PatriciaBremner - Gryon, Switzerland
This was a spectacular visit and well worth the drive to reach it. The coastline is amazing and full of bird life and the cliffs and rocks are breathtaking. If traveling with children it is worth noting that this is a dangerous location and children should not be allowed to run around unsupervised because of the easy access to cliff tops and steep falls.
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