Stornoway

Stornoway is a natural harbour in the Western Isles of Scotland. It has been recognised as a haven for nearly a thousand years.

The main centre of commerce for the Outer Hebrides, this is a town where the Gaelic language is still spoken. It is the island’s main seaport, where it provides a link to mainland Britain.

The Stornoway Port is the entrance to a history filled island. Some of Europe’s most famous monuments, The Standing Stones of Canlais and the Brochs, can be found on the island. The famous Black Houses can be reached easily from the port.

The Lewis War Memorial, completed in 1924, is a war memorial dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War I. It is situated at the highest point of Stornoway. Brochs, circular defensive towers that were used in the Iron Age, can only be found in Stornoway. The Great Broch of Carloway is one of the best preserved brochs in Scotland.

Every July, the annual Hebridean Celtic Festival is held, which attracts more than 10,000 visitors. The An Lanntair Arts Centre can be found in the Old Town Hall. Artworks by local artists can be found here. The harbour is usually full of seals and was given a nickname ‘Portrona’, which means port of seals.

The Number 3 Pier is where cruise liners put into port. Though limited in terms of facilities, smaller vessels are also found here. Located 4 km from the port is Stornoway Airport, linking the island with Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh by air.

If you’re from outside the EU and would like to spend your holiday in Stornoway, Scotland, you will need to enquire as to whether you need a tourist visa.

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