The King over the Sea: Part 7

 

Will this gorgeous weather not stop? I expected biting winds, chilling showers with a brief sunny respite. But no, the complete opposite as we sidle up to Stornoway’s  dockside. We’re on the Isle of Harris and Lewis and have a fun packed morning in a coach slipping back in time. We first visit an ancient group of homes - abandoned only in 1970’s, when the remaining occupants were rehoused in appropriate 20th century accommodation. Gearranna Blackhouse Village was a treat, set close to the sea, these homes were built to house both the animals and humans. I was told they were deliberately built sloping so that the animal waste stayed at one end. I wonder if Heracles ever visited. 

Next  was the fortified home Carloway Broch, above Loch an Duin, which was built a couple of thousand years ago. After being left in ruin for many a long year it is being “renovated”

We had about 50 minutes at each of these sites. Enough time to visit the ancient pile, have a wee and spend a few quid in the souvenir shop. 

Our last visit was back in deep time 6,000 BCE. Callanish Stones near Loch Rog are late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age and quite impressive they are. Although with busload of tourists - their stature is somewhat diminished- but never mind the gift shop and cafe were well worth a visit.

That was the morning taken care of before it was back to the boat - lunch and we’d slip anchor and sail majestically towards Shiant Isles, a small archipelago, set in the Minch Strait, and a favourite nesting place for seabirds. The views were something else.Tomorrow, Friday, it’s the Isle of Skye and Eigg.