I can’t tell you for how long I have wanted to visit the Isle of Lewis and Harris. On my bucket list is to fly into Barra and land on the beach, and I plan to get this ticked off by Summer 2023!

In the meantime, I made it to the Isle of Lewis and partially to Harris.

I was visiting as a mystery judge for the Highland and Islands Food and Drink Awards, in particular visiting The Harbour Kitchen, who received the prestigious award and are now the Best Restaurant in the Highlands and Islands 2022. Read all about why you should be making a booking at their restaurant here in Stornoway www.tartanspoon.co.uk/home/food-harbour-kitchen

ISLE OF LEWIS, STORNOWAY, SCOTLAND HOTELS

You’ll arrive in Stornoway via a 3 hour ferry from Ullapool (book via Calmac HERE ). It was a smooth sailing for us and luckily the hotel we were booked into was merely around the corner. We stayed at the Royal Hotel.

It’s a historic hotel and sits right on the Marina with views across to Lews Castle. There are two spaces in which to dine; the more relaxed bar/cafe, HS-1 and their more elevated restaurant, The Boatshed which is also where you enjoy the hotel breakfast.

REVIEW OF THE ROYAL HOTEL, STORNOWAY, ISLE OF LEWIS

I was booked into a Deluxe Twin Room with harbour views. The room is large and fitted with extremely comfortable beds which had been made into a King size - pure starfish joy for me!

The fabrics used in the room felt luxurious; heavy curtains which crossed over each other in the middle so that no light came in once the curtains had been pulled over (loved this!). Bed linen was white cotton, heavy and super cosy.

Toiletries were provided in the en-suite bathroom and I loved the heated towel rail. Shower was great, powerful with good water pressure.

Other facilities in the room included free wifi, tea and coffee facilities and a small wall mounted tv.

THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLE OF LEWIS - THE OUTER HEBRIDES ISLANDS

The Royal Hotel in Stornoway is an ideal spot from which to explore the Isle of Lewis.

• 25 minute drive to the Callanish Stones. You can visit the stones anytime but the visitor centre and cafe have opening times. More information on their website - www.calanais.org

• 1h 20 minutes to Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris. A must visit with its pure white sand and turquoise sea

• 5 minute drive to Lews Castle. The castle is open seasonally and Tuesday to Sunday. They are THE ONLY place open for a coffee and cake on a Sunday! (I kid you not!) . More information on their website - www.lews-castle.co.uk. This is also were you can purchase the Isle of Lewis Chess sets

• 1 minute walk to The Harbour Kitchen

SUNDAY CLOSURES

Stornoway and the Isle of Lewis is very different from elsewhere in Scotland. The Isle of Lewis has a Presbyterian tradition with Sabbath observance, meaning that most places are closed on a Sunday including supermarkets, shops, cafes, restaurants, petrol stations etc. and most local folk attend one of the 92 churches. The ferry does however run on a Sunday and Lews Castle Cafe is possibly the only place that is open!

I am glad that I have been to the Isle of Lewis. It’s not a pretty isle and certainly didn’t steal my heart like Islay but it does have its charms and of course it has the BEST RESTAURANT in the HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS - so that’s the perfect excuse to visit!

I really liked staying at The Royal Hotel, Stornoway. It’s a grand ol hotel with lovely large rooms that are spotless, warm and comfortable at a reasonable price. My room was around £150 for bed and breakfast.

Unfortunately, breakfast was a disaster with poached eggs that resembled comets. Hard and cold, these eggs could no longer be called eggs and the rest of breakfast was a write off. However, the cost of breakfast was deducted from my room bill, so its good to know that they take situations like this seriously and will compensate you for the inconvenience.

THINGS TO NOTE :

• The hotel has free parking

• This hotel does not have any lifts/elevators, with a few flights of stairs to the rooms

• It is not dog friendly

• Do check opening days and times for restaurants/cafes in Lewis. Many places are closed Sunday/Monday/Tuesday
  
  

The Royal Hotel, 81 Cromwell Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, HS1 2DG www.royalstornoway.co.uk

I booked and paid for my accommodation at The Royal Hotel, Stornoway. Accommodation were bought for by me and not complimentary in exchange for a review. Views are very much my own.