An easy but delightful walk from the centre of Stornoway exploring the coastal grounds of Lews Castle. Refreshments are available at the Woodlands Centre in the Castle grounds.
Road with pavement, easy tracks and paths, suitable for some baby buggies.
Buses and ferry to Stornoway.
Cromwell St Quay car park off North Beach (A857), Stornoway.
Start from the free car park on North Beach (A857) near Cromwell Street Quay. The remaining fishing boats operating out of Stornoway tie up here and there is a statue of a herring girl at the corner of the car park near the toilets. Walk up the street keeping the small marina on your left, continuing along Cromwell Street and following the pavement parallel to the water.
At the apartment block turn left to cross a bridge over the river and on the far side turn left to follow the wide pathway. These grounds were laid out as part of the formal gardens of Lews Castle built in the mid 1800s by James Matheson, a rich merchant who bought the island in 1844 and built the lavishly-appointed castle. Where the path forks you can visit the Woodland Centre to the right which houses an excellent cafe and a small shop - note the wooden Lewis chessmen guarding the entrance pathway.
Continuing the walk keep left to stay on the track beside the water, ignoring all branches to the right. Pass Gardener's Cottage, still keeping by the waterside - there are good views up to the Castle to the right. The Castle was bought by Lord Leverhulme in 1918 when he purchased the entire island and set about implementing a number of ambitious industrial plans. Many of these met with local opposition and Leverhulme offered the island back to the people in 1923 as he concentrated on neighbouring Harris. Only Stornoway took up his offer and the Castle was used as a hospital during the second world war and then a school and college. Pass the jetty at Cuddy Point where there are good views across to the colourful buildings of Stornoway. Go through the gate and stay on the lower waterside track which winds around the attractive wooded coast.
This area was once full of rhododendrons but attempts are being made to eradicate these invasive plants which were taking over the grounds. Pass a green man sculpture up on the right and continue around the headland - there are a couple of seats off to the left as the tracks curves round to the right. Just beyond this a t-junction is reached; turn sharp right here. The track then immediately forks - take the right hand branch heading uphill.
This climbs gently through trees; ignore a path off right and follow the main track which curves left steeply uphill. Ignore a second path on the right. When the track joins a larger one turn sharp right for a detour up to the hilltop to visit some superb viewpoints. Ignore path off right, and then, after a picnic bench, the track forks, stay right to complete a short loop to a cairn and a couple of picnic benches with great views over Stornoway and Lews Castle. Continue around the same track to eventually return to the main track left earlier; now turn right.
At the next junction ignore a track off right, and instead turn right at the t-junction just beyond (with a bin opposite). Keep on this main track ignoring a path to the left and two to the right. After the second path look out for green-painted iron railings and turn right on a path to these. Descend steps and go through a gate in the railings to visit Lady Matheson's Memorial. This was built in honour of James Matheson, the poppy heads on the pillars alluding to the profits his company made from the opium industry.
From the monument keep on to leave via the railings on the far side, and ignore a path descending to the right, instead keeping ahead on a path winding through the trees. This eventually emerges on a larger path with Lews Castle now seen. Turn right to pass to the right of the impressive former stately home. The castle has been restored; it houses a cafe and stately function rooms as well as accommodation; the modern building attached is a museum. Pass the castle, following the wide pathway. Fork right to head back down to the riverside and rejoin the outward route; turn left here to head past the Woodlands Centre and continue back to the start.
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