Today is the penultimate day of our holiday and we decided to make the most of the little bit of good weather and head back across to the Isle of Lewis, more specifically, we were heading to the Callanish Stones. These are a set of neolithic standing stones. They are set in a landscape of neolithic monuments and are very impressive to see, albeit that they are next to a house these days.
We headed out at about ten for the sixty or so mile journey. The weather was quite reasonable when we set out so it was a pleasant drive. James had a good nap in the car which was great as it meant he would be in good spirits later. When we arrived we changed into our walking shoes under clear blue skies. Everyone else headed to the stones whilst I nipped to the toilet in the visitor centre. I had been inside for about two minutes and came out ready to catch up but the heavens had opened! I did what any true Brit would do and rushed out into the pouring rain to help everyone back, ok ok no that is a lie and not what a true brit would do. What I actually did was jump in the queue for coffee before the bus load of tourists arrived there so everyone would have a hot drink to enjoy when they dashed back in. Shortly after a bedraggled Lyns, Granny, Grandad and James arrived, soaked through. Lyns took James off to get changed whilst we all sat down to a hot brew. It was around lunchtime so we ordered some lunch, nice and very reasonably priced, I would thoroughly recommend, and we sat and enjoyed it whilst watching the rain pour down outside.
Once we had eaten and the rain had stopped we headed out to the stones, this time in the dry with, again, clear blue skies. What a funny day.
Walking up to the stones, the soaking earlier had not dampened spirits.
Who is the biggest poser here?
Granny looking cold after her soaking
BANANANANANANANA!
After having a look round the stones we headed back to the car. We had decided earlier to take the scenic drive along the coast from Callanish to Arnol to visit the black house there. It is a lovely drive following the coast all the way.
When we arrived we found that Lyns and I could use our English Heritage membership to get in as the site is run by Historic Scotland otherwise it is £5 per person. At the site there is a black house and also a 1920s cottage. It is weird to think that the black house was populated until 1966 and over the road for forty years or so there was a cottage!
Peat fire at the centre of the black house that, even today, is never allowed to go out.
Peek-a-boo
After the black house it was time to head back via Stornoway. We had to get some pies and black pudding to take home with us from the Butchers. We could not come all this way and not take some home! After collecting our goodies it was back to the house to have dinner. A long day with lots of driving but a lovely one with lots to see.
The view from our window as the sun set.