Thinking of the Outer Hebrides brings to mind remoteness and beauty in an altogether mystical fashion. Set on the absolute periphery of Europe the Outer Hebrides are situated off the West coast of Scotland where they face the ravages of the North Atlantic ocean. Through the effects of the last Ice Age, the tremendously powerful weather of high winds and horizontal rain, and the pounding wave of the Atlantic, the islands have become a unique landscape of dramatic proportions. Of great interest to many, ranging from all manner of scientists eager to study the environment, to the tourist from a far off land visiting the islands to trace family routes, there is something for everyone in the Hebrides and the Isle of Lewis offers a most varied selection of visitor attractions.

One of the most famous places to visit on the Isle of Lewis is widely known as the Callanish Standing Stones. However, since the local naming policy has recently changed to a preference of the native language of Gaelic the stone circle is now to be known as the Calanais Standing Stones. Whatever you want to call them there is no denying the fact that these are amongst the most important and most spectacular in Europe and are often referred to as being unique because of the four avenues which come together in the shape of a cross/crucifix. Getting to the stones can prove rather difficult if you do not have your own transport, although there is a bus service to and from them it is a limited service.

If you are considering visiting Calanais you must also be aware of another important site very nearby. Formerly known as Carloway Broch and now named in the Gaelic as Dùn Chàrlabhaigh the broch is an iron age, twin-walled, structure shaped rather like a small cooling tower (conical) but has either corroded on one side or the stone has been reused by locals at some stage. You are able to gain access to the interior by a very low entrance and great care should be taken at all times. It is possible to walk up between the two exterior walls but it can prove dangerous so I repeat - take great care.

Another historic place to visit, not quite as old as the previous two places, but still very interesting is the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village. At one time almost everybody in the Hebrides lived in this cottage-like type of building but, unfortunately, only very few survive today and are mostly single examples, such as the blackhouse ar Arnol on Lewis and the one on South Harris which is available as self catering accommodation. Happily the village of Gearrannan, which consists of a small, and closely packed, group of blackhouses, was able to be fully restored/renovated to the level in which they were when last lived in. Some have been modernized such as the example housing the lovely cafe/tearooms. During the summer months you can see some islanders dressed in traditional clothing and performing duties such as weaving tweed, which would have been commonplace not too long ago.

The above introduces you to only three of the many places on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, that are well worth visiting. There are a great many more including numerous amazing beaches, especially those found on the south west coast of Lewis, plus, in the main town of Stornoway there are countless places of interest including museums, galleries and other modern visitor attractions.