Crossing the Minch to the Hebrides
There is always a touch of romance jumping on a ferry to visit an island. Any island creates this magical feeling, but there is something extra special about taking a ferry from the charming ferry port of Ullapool, on the far north west of the Scottish coast, to the Outer Hebrides.
In the 1980's Ullapool was, surprisingly, a busy port full of Russian Klondykers! These factory ships, processing herring for much of the summer, could be seen from the shore. The workers loved coming off the ship for their weekly supplies, finding groceries, clothes and even televisions which were not available back home in the USSR.
Nowadays Ullapool is a thriving tourist stopover. A centre for great music and literature. A popular place for an overnight stay for those keen to drive north towards Lochinver then around the famous NC500, or for those seeking an island adventure across the open seas of The Minch.
The ferry crosses in under three hours and arriving into Stornoway, the capital of the Western Isles, is always a special experience. With a population of around 8,000 it is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides and offers a wonderful gateway to the ancient wonders of this Celtic land.
Callanish Stones
The mystical Callanish Stones (also known by the gaelic Calanais) are a strong draw for people from all over the world. The Stones are thought to be older than Stonehenge and were erected up to 2900 BC in the Neolithic Period. The cross shape of the stones distinguishes them from the other famous Stone Circles such as The Ring of Brodgar in Orkney. The purpose of the stones has been lost in the mists of time, but it is clear these were very important to our ancestors, judging by the effort and clever positioning of these massive stones.
