The
Islands are not known for their deciduous trees but the magnificent 270
hectare Stornoway woods were created in the 1850’s by Sir James
Matheson and have been in community ownership since 1923. Being
adjacent to the town centre they are very popular with walkers, cyclist
and a dog lovers. Anna and I went for a reasonably brisk 2¼ mile walk on
Monday afternoon ending up, of course, at The Woodlands for coffee. So
this is a little bit of Stornoway for you.
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| Stornoway's Marina and Cromwell Street |
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| Ness Sgoths |
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| The Lews Castle |
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| Stornoway Harbour |
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| There are lots of donated seats throughout the grounds |
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| The mouth of the River Creed |
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| A walk up The Creed |
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| Smiths Shoe Shop - a legend in Stornoway - donated this rest place. |
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| The walk continues |
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| A place of rest at the far reach of the walk |
Beautiful photographs. Lovely place, lots of scenes to paint
ReplyDeleteFor some reason though, the mouth of the Creed photo gives me the chills, and it does every time I look at it whether I scroll up or down.
Maywyn you are not alone in getting eerie feelings. The water is very deep and quite still after the rushing river that can be hear 25 metres away and the cliffs around it are rather out of character from the rest of the walk.
DeleteLovely pictures. Those woodland scenes really don't seem as if they were taken in The Outer Hebrides. More like Outer London.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about Outer London YP (I'm not sure how much sea there is there) but it's certainly not what most people expect of the Outer Hebrides.
DeleteThat,s a very pleasant place to go for a walk.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed Red.
DeleteAn uncharacteristically mellow place. Grand for a wander.
ReplyDeleteAdrian don't forget you're seeing it on a relatively calm, sunny day. I wasn't available on the other three of these we had this year.
DeleteHeeheeeeee! Very funny, GB...
DeleteSome of those photos look remarkably similar to certain places here. Mossy mounds and wild ferns etc. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA rather different climate though, Cro>
DeleteLovely, lovely photos, Graham...thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a pleasure, Lee.
DeleteNo wonder it is a very popular place, and yet it does not look crowded at all! Really beautiful, I'd love to walk there, and you had perfect weather, too.
ReplyDeleteMeike, crowded on Lewis probably has a very different meaning to crowded in most other places.
DeleteHow beautiful for it to be a community asset. One for all to enjoy. Wonderful photos Graham.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful asset, Lynda, and thank you (as a really superb photographer) for the compliment.
DeleteTo be honest I was suprised at the beauty of the place and that is looks so calm and sunny. My reading of books based in the area are always set in dark, blowy winters!
ReplyDeleteGenerally speaking, Potty, the winters are very dark and blowy.
DeleteIt's very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhy is Smith's Shoe Shop legendary?
Good question Kylie. It was really the family that was legendary in that they were part of 'old Stornoway'. The shoe shop closed in 2006 after a 100 years in business. I used to take my shoes there and have a yarn because I still wore shoes with leather soles and heels that could be repaired by a proper cobbler (which he was). He was a 'Stornoway Cove'.
DeleteWhat a lovely area and a forest is so not what I expected to find on Lewis.
ReplyDeleteJust a pity the weather on the west coast is often so wet and windy.
Ah yes, Beverley, but only most of the time. It makes one appreciate the good days.
DeleteLove the shoe shop seat. It's the unexpected that adds to the charm. I didn't expect inside those woods to be so soft, lush and green. It's nice to see Stornoway from a different angle, too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you liked it Pauline. It's a shame that we didn't get to walk in the woods.
DeleteLove it, love, love, love it. I think the mouth of the Creed looks awesome and I would love to sit on top of that rock and just stare it down.
ReplyDeleteMrs S it would be like staring down into a black void - and that's when the sun is shining.
Deleteoh what beautiful scenery, this is why I love Autumn, so many colours.
ReplyDeleteAmy it's my favourite colour season too.
DeleteWonderful photos, and I'm glad you got such lovely sunny autumn weather for a walk in this beautiful spot. I don't think I have seen any pictures before that have quite done justice to these woods. I think I've been under the impression the area was smaller.
ReplyDeleteIt's a remarkably large area, Monica. It's always beautiful but it's a great place to be on a lovely day.
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