By Bernie Bell

Getting there………

We stopped off at Knockan Crag, which is part of the North West Highlands Rock Route (a.k.a. North West Highlands Geopark), and where the car park has a  ‘new’ standing stone.

Just up the path from the carpark, is an open-sided visitor information point, known as the Rock Room!  This has information about what you can see around you, and explains the idea of the Rock Route, which is a series of stopping-off points which are of particular interest, geologically, between Ullapool in the south and Loch Eriboll in the north.

There are ‘geology walks’, up the hill, from the information point but, again, we didn’t have much time, so….next time, maybe?

So much related to human habitation, begins with geology.

The main thing about this place, for us, was the views from the Rock Room – you’re right in among the mountains. You can get some idea of this, from the background to this picture of myself, communing with an eminent geologist….

And so, after a smooth ferry crossing from Ullapool, we arrived at Stornoway, and stayed at The Royal Hotel .

It’s  a good place to stay, clean, comfortable, friendly, with very good food, and perfectly positioned next to the river, with views across to Lews Castle.

While Mike attended the meeting, I mooched around Stornoway, looked at the Arts Centre,  and got some good things in the charity shops.

Then – it was the weekend, and we got the chance to explore properly. First , we crossed over the river to the grounds of Lews Castle, which are open to the public, where we walked up Gallows Hill, which gave us a wonderful view over Stornoway

There is a lovely, still pool in a sheltered spot in the grounds – another place to sit and think, or just sit.

We found two interesting tree stumps, one grumpy – and one – a house for fairies!

Image credit Bell

Follow the website to read part 3 of the trip to Lewis next week

You can read about the first part of Bernie’s trip Our Trip to the  Isle of Lewis: 1

All images credit B & M Bell