Loch Shiaboist.
Start. North Shawbost (Siabost bho Thuath)
Route. North Shawbost - Loch Shiaboist - North Shawbost.
Notes. After ten hours on the road, and sea we arrived in a wet and windy Stornoway capital of the Isle of Lewis. A friend once said "when your on Lewis the wind's your constant companion", he also said "if you don't like the weather just wait five minutes", with that advice ringing in our ears Sue promptly went out and purchased a new set of waterproofs, a bad oman. The wind arrived the following day and we all know what a battering Scotland got.
The small crofting community of North Shawbost (Siabost bho Thuath) on the stormy west coast was our home for the week, 500 souls living in the shadow of Beinn Bhragair, a small hill rising from the vast peat bog that blankets most of the island, an ascent I intended to make, unfortunately the Lewis climate put paid to that. After unpacking the sun made an impromptu appearance, a wander down to the local beach was called for, followed by a walk around Rubha Neidalt a rocky headland to explore some of the sea cliffs and spectacular scenery along this stretch of coast.
From North Shawbost a finger-post beckoned us down a tarmac lane, we followed this lane as far as the beach, a high banking carried us between the fresh water of Loch a' Bhaile and Loch Shiaboist a small sea loch, with water all around it just had to arrive from above forcing us to abandon our plans, quickly re-traced our steps, save the cliffs for another day, little did we know the weather gods had other plans.
This quaint bridge spans a rather deep burn, the fresh water of Loch a' Bhaile drains into Loch Shiaboist.
Loch Shiaboist.
Looking to Beinn na Cloich and South Shawbost (Siabost bhd Dheas) across the choppy waters of Loch a' Bhaile,
Across the skyline the crofting community of North Shawbost.
Seen from this wonderful sandy beach, Carnan Mor across Loch Shiaboist.
Beinn Bhragair across Loch a' Bhaile with Beinn na Cloich rising to the right.
The tide's turned bringing with it wind and rain.
Looking to North Shawbost over the now choppy waters of Loch Shiaboist, our home for the week can just be seen to the left of the red roofed building.
From the beach Beinn Bhragair.
On the west shore of the loch the gentle slopes of Leathad Mor roll down to the sea.
Sue strides out heading for home.
Atlantic swells break over the cliffs of Rubha Neidalt.
Typical crofting landscape, including an old bus. bet it's a hen hut?