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TOP 20 ATTRACTIONS IN THE NORTHERN AND WESTERN ISLES
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Ardbeg Distillery
Isle of Islay
PA42 7EA
Perched on a wave-washed, rocky headland the Ardberg Distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardberg and the distillery's scattered white-washed buildings, reminiscent of a Dutch settlement, add to the dramatic coastal landscape. Ardbeg has had a chequered and in recent times had been closed down for many years. Glenmorangie plc acquired Ardbeg in 1997 and has set about restoring this unique distillery to its former glory. Despite the turbulence of its past, none of Ardberg's qualities have been diminished. All of the timeworn traditions and skills have been preserved and passed on to today's craftsmen.
Hours: June - Aug Mon - Sun 10:00 - 17:00; Rest of the year Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00
Details: 01496 302 244
Bishop's and Earls's Palaces
Kirkwall
Orkney
The Bishop's Palace is a 12th Century hall-house, later much altered, with a round tower built by Bishop Reid in 1541-48. The notorious Patrick Stewart, Earl of Orkney, built the adjacent Earl's Palace between 1600 and 1607.
Price: Adult £1.50 Child 75p
Hours: Summer only
Details: 01856 875 461
Black House
Arnol Village
Isle of Lewis
A traditional Lewis thatched house, fully furnished, complete with attached barn, byre and stackyard. A peat fire burns in the open hearth with the smoke filtering out through the roof.
Price: Adult £1.80 Child 75p
Hours: open all year except Sundays
Details: 01851 710 395
Broch of Gurness
Aikerness
Orkney
Surrounded by a warren of Iron Age buildings, this broch probably dates to the 1st Century AD. Vikings may have built the long house on top of the ruined broch. The grave of a Viking woman was found nearby.
Price: Adult £2.30 Child £1.00
Hours: Summer only
Details: 01831 579 478
Calanais Standing Stones & Visitor Centre
West of Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
A cross-shaped setting of standing stones, dating to around 3,000 BC, unique in Scotland and outstanding in Great Britain. The visitor centre in managed by the Urras nan Tursachan.
Price: Adult £1.50 Child 50p
Hours: Open all year
Details: 01851 621 422
Clan Donald Visitor Centre
Armadale
Isle of Skye
IV45 8RS
The visitor centre is set in the magnificent woodland gardens and arboretum surrounding the ruin of Armadale Castle. There is also a museum of the Isle that has an exhibition and an audiovisual presentation, a library and study centre for family history research.
Hours: Apr - Oct
Details: 01471 844 305
Dunvegan Castle
Isle of Skye
A fortress stronghold in an idyllic loch-side setting, surrounded by dramatic scenery, where seals play and eagles soar. The castle estate boasts sea lochs, croft land, farms, rivers, gardens, mountains - The Black Cuillins and MacLeod's Tables, sea eagles, otters, seals and a multitude of sea birds, plus golden eagles and red deer. One of the must visit locations in Scotland, and the scenery guarantees to drop your jaw.2
Hours: Mid-Mar - Oct 10:00 - 17:30; Nov - Mid Mar 11:00 - 16:00
Details: 01470 521 206
Hermaness Visitor Centre
Shore Station
Burrsfirth
Isle of Unst
This exciting interactive centre is situated close to Hermaness National Nature Reserve, home to over one hundred thousand seabirds during the summer months.
Hours: 25th Apr - 15th Sep Mon - Sun 8:30 - 18:00
Details: 01957 711 278
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Sumburgh Head
Shetland
Over three acres of remains spanning 3,000 years from the Stone Age. Oval shaped Bronze Age houses, Iron Age broch and wheel houses, medieval farmstead and 16th Century laird's house.
Price: Adult £2.30 Child £1.00
Hours: Summer only
Details: 01950 460 112
Maes Howe
West of Kirkwall
Orkney
This world famous tomb was built in Neolithic times, before 2700 BC. The large mound covers a stone-built passage and a burial chamber with the cells in the walls. Runic inscriptions tell of how Vikings plundered it of its treasures.
Price: Adult £2.30 Child £1.00
Hours: Open all year
Details: 01856 761 606
Orbost Gallery
Dunvegan
Isle of Skye
IV55 8ZB
Orbost Gallery presents a selling exhibition of professional artists working on Skye or in the Highlands. Landscapes by Marion Roberts, Angus Stewart and other invited artists: wood engravings by Paul Kershaw; calligraphy and antique prints.
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 daily
Details: 01470 521 207
Skara Brae & Skaill House
North West of Kirkwall
Orkney
Uncovered by a storm in 1850 Skara Brae is one of the best-preserved groups of Stone Age houses in Western Europe. The houses contain stone furniture, hearths and drains and present a remarkable picture of life in Neolithic times.
Price: £4.00 Child £1.20
Hours: Open all year
Details: 01856 841 815
Stornoway Churches
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
St Columba's, on Lewis Street, was erected in 1794 and is the town's parish church. Martin's Memorial (1885), on Francis Street, stands on the site of the house where explorer Sir Alexander MacKenzie lived. The MacKenzie River is named after him. Inside St Peter's Episcopal Church (1839), Francis Street, is a small sandstone font of considerable antiquity, brought from the hermit's chapel on the remote Flannan Isles off the west coast of Lewis. The tower bell (1631), was once Stornoway's town bell, which summoned the burghers to important meetings. David Livingstone's bible is kept in the vestry. The Free Church, Kenneth Street probably attracts the largest Sunday evening congregation in the U.K. with nearly 1,500 people attending.
Up Helly Aa Exhibition
St Sunniva Street
Lerwick
Exhibition detailing the celebrated Fire festival. There is a replica galley, costumes, shields, paintings, photos and video which showing this unique festival.
Price: Adult £2.50 Child Free
Hours: Mid May - Mid September Tue & Sat 14:00 - 16:00; Tuesday & Friday 19:00 - 21:00
Click on any of the categories below to find detailed local information:
REGIONAL INTRODUCTION GOLF WINING & DINING
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