Snow Capped Mountains, Harris, Scotland
This morning, we departed our lodgings at Tarbert, Harris and headed north to Isle of Lewis passing en-route through some stunning scenery entailing mountains topped with an overnight covering snow which reflected nicely in the sunlight. The tour progressed as follows:
- First destination was the new (founded 2008) whisky distillery known as Abhainn Dearg at Carnish on the west of Lewis which is at the end of a long and narrow road with no obvious signage. We eventually found the site and on second attempt were provided with a visit to the distillery operations and a sample of the new, three year old single malt.Interestingly, this distillery is close to the site where the set of famous Viking era carved chessmen were found buried on the beach area. We made some purchases of this unique and limited availability single malt.
- Next to the famous prehistoric, standing stone site at Callanish.
- Next to the Gearrannan Black Houses, a former community of traditionally built stone houses with thatched roofs. This site provides a tangible link with traditional island lifestyle of fairly recent times.
- Next to the Carloway Broch, a former high status dwelling with a history dating back perhaps some 2000 years.
- Next to Shawbost and a water powered mill and kiln dating from the Norse or Viking era, about 1200 years ago.
- Next to the Blackhouse Museum (former island house) where we learned more about the use of peat for fuel and toured the museum with authentic sights and smells from a bygone era.
- Finally, we returned to Tarbert in readiness for our departure for Skye in the morning.
Dram of Whisky at Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Scotland
Inside Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Outdoor Boy Band, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Prehistoric Stone Circle at Callanish, Scotland
Gearrannan Black House Village, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Carloway Broch, Lewis, Scotland
Norse Mill and Kiln, Lewis, Scotland
