Lewis Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
northern part of the Scottish island Lewis and Harris
About Lewis
During the 19th century Lewis, like much of the Scottish Highlands, became impoverished and depopulated. This reflected eviction of tenant farmers by the landowners (the "Highland Clearances"), harsh living conditions, famine in some years, and hopes of a better life in the Lowlands or America. Those left behind dwelt in squalour, alongside empty arable acres given over to sheep, deer-stalking or grouse-shooting. Eventually the government sought to reverse these trends by providing land for small farm settlements, allotments or crofts. Violent agitation for land reform broke out, and on Lewis the farm of Coll was seized by land raiders in 1888. Agitation faded when the Highland economy recovered from its 1880s slump and when optimism grew about government action. But progress was very slow
Top Attractions in Lewis
Explore the best things to see and do in Lewis:
- ★Blackhouse at Arnol
- ★Bonnie Prince Charlie Monument
- ★Callanish Standing Stones
- ★Deanstone (Deanston)
- ★Dun Carloway
- ★Gearrannan
- ★Kinloch Historical Society
- ★Ness Historical Society
Where to Eat in Lewis
Must-try local food and restaurants:
- 🍴Buth an Rubha
- 🍴Cross Inn
- 🍴Mollan's Takeaway
- 🍴Stones Cafe
- 🍴The Breakwater
- 🍴The Edge Cafe
Where to Stay in Lewis
- 🏨Borve House Hotel
- 🏨Broad Bay House
- 🏨Clearview B&B
- 🏨Doune Braes Hotel
- 🏨Eilean Fraoich Campsite
- 🏨Galson Farm
Lewis Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 12 sections including: