Thursday - up to Lewis again

The weather was dry and sunny so it was a day out on Lewis again. We followed the same road as yesterday to just before Stornoway but the views this time were fabulous and we could see hills which yesterday were covered in clouds.

Out first stop was one of the 3 mills on the island which produces Harris tweed. I'd read on the internet that tours were only conducted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but as we were going to the area anyway we stopped at the mill and I popped in to ask. It didn't look much from the outside - in a rural location, not much of a car park and when I went in the door no sign of an office or reception. But one of the workers came up and asked if he could help and we ended up having a brilliant show round by Billy who operates the spinning machines. It was fascinating seeing the wool coming in one end and the entire process to the fabric going off to tailors.

Range of colours;

The different dyed batches are mixed together;

The 'recipe' for today's tweed mix;

Billy

Old machines but still going strong

Finished tweed back from the outsourced weavers ready for checking and washing

All ready and stamped as genuine Harris Tweed

We drove on to see Dun Carloway broch, probably constructed about 200 BC.

Next were the Callanish Standing Stones where it was a challenge to take photos trying not to get tourists from a tour party in the picture!

It's so quiet everywhere in the Outer Hebrides - there are plenty of hamlets with houses but hardly any traffic, no airplane noise, no farm machinery, so still and calm.

We stopped off at a beautiful loch hoping to see Sea Eagles and otters but nothing was stirring.

Onto the next place where they frequent...

.....nothing.

Ah well, back to the house to do the jigsaw.