Barnacle guidebook
Sightseeing
A beautiful beach featuring Sea Stacks. A lovely walk over The Bridge to nowhere!
Garry Beach
A long and beautiful sandy beach. I often spot White Tailed Eagles, porpoises and whales here. In the summer the Machair wild flowers are stunning !
21 locals recommend
Traigh Mhòr
A long and beautiful sandy beach. I often spot White Tailed Eagles, porpoises and whales here. In the summer the Machair wild flowers are stunning !
The Wildlife Sighting! If you enjoy whale or bird watching , I’d recommend this spot.
Tiumpan Head Lighthouse
The Wildlife Sighting! If you enjoy whale or bird watching , I’d recommend this spot.
City/town information
Restaurants and bars. Shops, including my favourite, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Lewis Revival and Blue Lobster.
15 locals recommend
Stornoway
Restaurants and bars. Shops, including my favourite, Harris Tweed Hebrides, Lewis Revival and Blue Lobster.
Food scene
The castle grounds have offer great walks and also mountain bike trails. There’s a wide variety of trees and other plant species. You can enjoy the cafe’s too.
55 locals recommend
Lews Castle
The castle grounds have offer great walks and also mountain bike trails. There’s a wide variety of trees and other plant species. You can enjoy the cafe’s too.
Harbour Kitchen
5 Cromwell StFantastic with a focus on Seafood.
County Hotel
12-14 Francis StI really enjoy the Indian Cuisine here.
The best pizza, hand made to order from a shipping container in Achmore (out in the moor with stunning loch and mountain views). Delicious and unique !
11 locals recommend
Crust
The best pizza, hand made to order from a shipping container in Achmore (out in the moor with stunning loch and mountain views). Delicious and unique !
Friendly service, relaxed atmosphere and yummy food. Perfect for pre/post walk or bike ride in the castle grounds. Bespoke Bike shop is down stairs too.
7 locals recommend
The Hub Cafe
Willowglen RoadFriendly service, relaxed atmosphere and yummy food. Perfect for pre/post walk or bike ride in the castle grounds. Bespoke Bike shop is down stairs too.
Experience
A memorable experience doing activities in the Outer Hebrides
Immerse Hebrides
Swim in beautiful Hebridean waters with a guide. I can’t recommend this enough.
The centre is a charity organisation that benefits the community. They are passionate about getting people into the outdoors. The centre offers many activities; walking tours, mountain biking, loch & sea kayaking, climbing, orienteering & coasteering. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Scaladale Centre
The centre is a charity organisation that benefits the community. They are passionate about getting people into the outdoors. The centre offers many activities; walking tours, mountain biking, loch & sea kayaking, climbing, orienteering & coasteering. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
The centre is a charity organisation that benefits the community. They are passionate about getting people into the outdoors. The centre offers many activities; walking tours, mountain biking, loch & sea kayaking, climbing, orienteering & coasteering. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Scaladale Centre
The centre is a charity organisation that benefits the community. They are passionate about getting people into the outdoors. The centre offers many activities; walking tours, mountain biking, loch & sea kayaking, climbing, orienteering & coasteering. Suitable for all ages and abilities.
Kate and Daryl have fantastic knowledge and experience in the various activities but also the wildlife in the area! You’re guaranteed a wonderful day out!
Wild Harris
3b Meavaig NorthKate and Daryl have fantastic knowledge and experience in the various activities but also the wildlife in the area! You’re guaranteed a wonderful day out!
Surflewis & Harris
10 East StEnjoy learning to surf in the Hebrides!
great bike services including hire! Fantastic food too in the cafe
https://www.bespokebicycles.co.uk/
7 locals recommend
The Hub Cafe
Willowglen Roadgreat bike services including hire! Fantastic food too in the cafe
https://www.bespokebicycles.co.uk/
A sauna at a beautiful beach, what's not to love about this experience. I personally find great benefits in swimming in cold water, now there's this sauna which allows for cold and heat. It's AMAZING!
Saltbox Sauna
A sauna at a beautiful beach, what's not to love about this experience. I personally find great benefits in swimming in cold water, now there's this sauna which allows for cold and heat. It's AMAZING!
Traveler advice
Customs and culture
Island life is quieter on Sundays.
Most shops and facilities are closed on Sunday. A few do open but the supermarkets are closed. Please, make sure you prepare for this. For example, take a pack lunch with you to enjoy and make sure you shop for this in advance.
What to pack
Be prepared!
The Hebrides is a stunning place but please be prepared for all weather. I would strongly recommend walking boots, waterproofs and warm layers. During the height of summer, when the wind drops, the midgies (tiny flies) make an appearance. It’s good to travel with a repellent as they can become annoying.
The Barnacle is very cosy, but you may wish to bring your slippers as it’s a hard floor throughout.