Stornoway Hotels

Mini guide to Stornoway

Stornoway is the capital of the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis that lies off Scotland's northwest coast and is the only real town on the island. Stornoway is a picturesque harbour town that has some good attractions and is a great base for exploring the delights of the rest of Lewis.

The bustling harbour is the focus and main attraction of Stornoway, with its numerous colourful leisure craft and fishing vessels, while nearby Stornoway Castle dates from around the 11th century. One thing to remember about Stornoway is that the tradition of Sunday observance is strong here and as a result most shops, cafés, pubs, petrol stations and transport links will be out of service on this day.

The town wraps itself around the harbour and there are a number of interesting streets and worthwhile attractions here. Some streets are pedestrianised and there are some quality local shops, while the An Lanntair Gallery and Museum Nan Eilean add a bit of culture.

The numerous lochs and spectacular landscapes around Stornoway allow for a number of leisure opportunities including cycling, water sports and kayaking, and there is an 18-hole golf club in the town. There are numerous pubs and bars in Stornoway for friendly evening entertainment and a multitude of eateries.

The biggest attraction on Lewis is the Callanish Stones in west Lewis. The monoliths, not unlike those of Stonehenge, are shaped to resemble a crucifix. To the northeast of here is the Black House at Arnol, while Harris is rugged country and known for its tweed.

Getting to Stornoway is straightforward and there is an airport near the town offering direct flights to Glasgow and Inverness, while there are also flights from Stornoway to Benbecula in the southern Hebrides Islands. Ferries arrive in Stornoway from Ullapool on the mainland two or three times per day.

Selection of hotels in this region:

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Holiday Inn, Travel Inn, Marriott, Travelodge, Hilton, Hyatt, Novotel, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Swallow. <*pagetitle*> <*countrydescription*> from www.cheaphotelbookings.com

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