A fantastic time was had by the 10 lucky people who ventured to this beautiful and wild part of Lewis. Everyone was there for the 3 nights of Friday to Sunday but others took the opportunity of arriving on Thursday and some stayed until Tuesday. This is of course is easy for those who don’t have to earn a crust! It also makes sense in view of the high cost of taking a car on the ferry. The Otter Bunkhouse and Bothy are very comfortable although they could be improved by additional fridge space and an oven. The selling point is the position on the sea front. Unfortunately it did not live up to it name and no otters were spotted despite a resident family living near by.
Early arrivals Debbie and Evelyne had a pleasant walk around the woodlands of Lews Castle in Stornaway on Thursday afternoon. Also arriving on Thursday, Bob and Fiona headed to the Bothy and in view of the glorious weather decided to simply chill and view the various birds on the water.
Friday started overcast but by late morning it had turned out into another glorious day. Debbie and Evelyne drove across the new bridge to the island of Great Bernera. They walked the waymarked coastal path from Breaclet to Bosta and returned via the road. Their highlight was getting a guided tour of an iron age house at Bosta. Bob and Fiona took the opportunity of using one of the bunkhouse’s double kayaks and paddled around the island of Flodaigh before lunch. In the afternoon they climbed the local and rugged ‘Marilyn’ Suaineabhal. Afternoon arrivals Alan, Fiona, Maggie and Katrina also climbed Suaineabhal and met Bob and Fiona just below the summit. Robert is scheduled for a factory reset on his right knee next month, so decided to take in the splendid views at the bunkhouse. Last to arrive was Jake on his bike having set off from Forres on Thursday. He found a good spot at Torrachilty Forest, Contin on Thursday night to lay down his sleeping bag. He was up at the crack of dawn and arrived in good time for the mid morning ferry.
Saturday was the worst day of the meet weather wise with rain and wind until mid afternoon. Debbie, Eveyne and Robert visited the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, Carloway Broch and the Callanish Stones. Bob and Fiona began walking the cliffs north of Mangersta, but in view of the weather quickly headed down to the beach. From there they headed up to the radio mast at Gob Rubha Phail. Despite the weather they obviously had a good day, as they didn’t arrive back until 7.30pm. Alan, Fiona, Maggie, Katrina and Jake found the coffee and cake shop in Uig. They also visited the local museum and walked to the Uig Sands beach. Alan decided to walk up the ‘Marilyn’ Forsnabhal. I don’t understand why the girls refused to join me as the rain was down to a drizzle. Half way up I turned around and there was Jake chasing after me on his bike. On a good day this hill would have provided amazing views. A drive around the peninsula of Valtos followed on route to the bunkhouse for beers and gin and tonics.
We awoke to a beautiful warm day on Sunday. Alan, Fiona, Maggie, Katrina, Debbie and Evelyne climbed the rugged and majestic ‘Marilyns’ Mealaisbhal (highest point on Lewis) and Cracabhal. Some mist came in between the 2 hills leading to interesting route finding. A long tiring but rewarding day. The BRB is blank for Bob and Fiona’s adventures but they were out all day and I think did some cliff walks beside the sea stacks south of Mangersta. Robert despite his dodgy knee walked along the coast north of Crowlista. He then took a rough mainly pathless route back under Suineabhal. Jake was out touring on his bike somewhere. All I can say is he was dry unlike on Saturday.
Monday saw everyone departing apart from Alan and Fiona. They quickly moved into the excellent and compact Otter Bothy vacated by Bob and Fiona. They headed to Great Bernara island and did a similar walk to the one Debbie and Evelyne had done a few days earlier. Evelyne was staying on in Stornaway and paid a second visit to the Callanish Stones.
Tuesday morning left sufficient time for Alan and Fiona to explore the standing stones at Callanish and have coffee and freshly baked scones in the Visitor Centre.
In summary, an excellent long weekend in an amazing setting with decent weather. There was time for Marilyn bashing, coastal walks, kayaking, biking, bird watching and appreciating the local culture. It is worth stating that most of the hills are Marilyns but they are very rugged and majestic and definitely worth climbing. I for one will be heading back again.
Report by Alan Duncan
