A Little Bouncy

Yesterday was our biggest move of our time in Scotland. We were up and breakfasted at 8 to catch the ferry at 9:45 or thereabouts. The ferry had been cancelled the day before for high winds, and there was some chance we would not go. The day was still blustery, but we left on time for our 2 hour and 45 minutes crossing from Ullipool to Stornaway on the Island of Lewis.

The crossing was, "A bit bouncy." according to one crew member. It was, however, sunny and exciting and I wouldn't have missed it for anything. That stretch of sea is called The Minch. The village of Ullipool quickly receded over the horizon and we drew into another world. Stornaway is the biggest village on the island of Lewis. It has a Tesco grocery store into which just about every car on the ferry pulled.

After stocking up with provisions for the next two days, we drove out onto a treeless rolling rocky countryside along a circular road that joins a chain of tiny clusters of houses. Most are gray stucco or stone. And each is visible from the next as you lollup around the island. We followed our excellent directions to the low slung group of black houses of Gearannan that have been preserved after the last residents left in 1974.
There have been settlements here for at least 2000 years. These dwellings were built in 1886. The people fished and dried the fish over the years between.

These houses were preserved and I'm sure are much nicer than the actual residents ever saw. We have very comfortable furishings, a beautiful modern kitchen and a great shower. They are now rented out to the likes of us as holiday homes. They are just up from a beautiful beach and provide endless walking experiences.

We had a walk on the surrounding hills. A local warned us to stay back from the cliffs as the wind can blow you over. We walked and breathed cold fresh  air and slept like logs.