Dun Carloway Broch

Advantages: An interesting structure, free to visit
Disadvantages: Remote location

...A broch is the name given to a type of Iron Age stone structure that are unique to the Scottish Highlands, and in particular to the Isles of Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Their original purpose was probably a mixture of a defensive structure and a grand dwelling for a noble within the community. The broch at Dun Carloway on the north west coast of Lewis is one of the best remaining examples to be found. The broch is circular in shape and constructed from local stone. There is no cement between the stones but instead it has been built using a similar method to that used in the building of the dry stone walls that you see in the countryside. The other notable feature is that the structure is hollow, although it is thought that there might have originally been a roof. There is a signpost to the Dun Carloway Broch from the A858...

micksheff 28.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of Dun Carloway Broch, Isle of Lewis

The Arnol Black House

Advantages: Fantastic insight into how the islanders lived
Disadvantages: Small admission fee, remote location

.... This particular Black House only dates from the late 19th century and is therefore one of the later examples of such a dwelling, it was abandoned in 1966. It does however represent a way of life that dates back many centuries and probably to the time of the Vikings. The Arnol Black House Museum is open daily throughout the year (except Sunday) from 9.30am until 6.30pm between April and September and from 9.30am until 4.30pm between October and March. Historic Scotland looks after the property and their members can enter free. 42 Arnol Isle of Lewis Arnol Isle of Lewis HS2 9DB Tel (01851) 710395...

micksheff 22.12.2009 · Read review
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Review of Arnol Black House, Isle of Lewis

The Misty Isle

Advantages: Stunning landscape, nice towns to visit
Disadvantages: None

...The Isle of Skye is somewhere I have wanted to visit my whole life, but have never had the chance. The Scottish Isles for me have a sort of mystique about them, the isolation and the tradition they have, but Skye has always been the one I?ve wanted to go to. I think a lot of it has to do with my favourite band, Runrig, being from there ? their songs are often about the landscape they grew up in, and they even have a song called Skye. Finally, at the end of September this year, I went to the island with my parents. Having been staying on the mainland for several days in rubbish weather, the first remotely decent day we had we jumped in the car and shot across the bridge, as they knew how excited I was to go to the island, and we didn?t want to miss the best weather we were likely to have (best in this sense is mainly dry with showers...

eilidhcatriona 16.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

John Lewis

Advantages: Great range of services
Disadvantages: None

...John Lewis is a department store with 29 shops around the UK. They offer a wide range of high quality goods in departments such as: gifts, lighting, pictures, china and glass, linens, haberdashery, furnishing and fabrics, womenswear, lingerie, beauty, nursery, menswear, audio, toys and kitches/kitchenwear. Within the store they stock not only their own range of goods but also other branded names such as, Jigsaw, Joules, Levi and Warehouse in clothing, Bobbi Brown, Clarins and Clinique in the beauty section and Bose, Apple and Canon in electricals. As you can acertain they sell a wide range of products from knitting needles and wool to high end audio systems. All items are of great quality and if anything falls below the standard you will expect they have a great returns and refund policy with a flexible 28 days. They will even return...

rachieb123 12.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of John Lewis (Department Stores)

Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye

Advantages: Free to visit
Disadvantages: Only ruins

...When you are on the Isle of Skye you are never very far from a castle. These castles come in many different shapes and sizes. Dunvegan is the islands most famous and most visited castle but if castles are your thing and you want to avoid the ridiculous admission charges of Dunvegan then there are plenty more to choose from. Duntulm Castle stands on the rocky north coast of Skye on the western tip of the Trotternish peninsula. It was only a few miles from where I was staying in Uig and as it was clearly marked on the tourist map I thought that I ought to check it out. I visited on a sunny day in May 2009 and the first thing that struck me was its location. I know that by their definition as a defensive structure castles always occupy a prominent piece of land but the ruins of Duntulm Castle are quite literally perched on the edge...

micksheff 02.01.2010 · Read review
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Review of Duntulm Castle, Isle of Skye

I'm glad I went to the wrong beach

Advantages: Tranquil
Disadvantages: Very remote

...The thing about the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides is that when it comes to beaches the visitor really is spoilt for choice. There is no landmass between here and Canada so there is nothing to break the waves that crash ashore which has turned some of these beaches into real magnets for surfers. The most popular surfing beaches with the huge "Atlantic Rollers" tend to be the longer beaches some of which stretch for almost 20 miles but some of the nicest beaches, in my opinion, on the island are the smaller ones. We took the advise of the campsite owner who told us that one of the nicest local beaches to where we were staying in Shawbost was at Dail Mor a couple of miles down the road. We had already seen the beautiful beach at Shawbost, which didn't even qualify as a "nice" beach by the locals standards so on our second day on Lewis...

micksheff 08.09.2009 · Read review
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Review of Dail Beag Beach, Isle of Lewis

JEWEL OF THE ISLE

Advantages: Gorgeous designer & unusual clothing
Disadvantages: No changing facilities for the disabled

...Famous for its mountainous and breathtaking scenery, The Isle of Skye ? situated off the West coast of Mainland Scotland - is the largest and best known of the Inner Hebrides. Renowned for its natural beauty and therefore a magnate for climbers, artists and photographers, it is perhaps not the first place one would think of to visit for a glorious shopping experience. Seek and ye shall find. The island looks tiny on the map but you'll need your entire holiday and more to discover even a small proportion of some of the area's hidden gems. I'd like to share one such shiny jewel with you. Ragamuffin is situated on the pier in Armadale, Sleat (pronounced 'slate') on the south western peninsula of the island. The little shop (strangely like a sheik's tent, it is actually bigger inside than it appears outside) sits overlooking...

Louizalass 19.05.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ragamuffin, Isle of Skye

"Spirit" - Leona Lewis

Advantages: Great voice, great songs, fantastic reviews
Disadvantages: A couple of dissappointing tracks

...Being a huge fan of "The X Factor" (A UK Entertainment television show), I was a massive fan of the 2006 winner Leona Lewis, & absolutely loved her first single "A Moment Like This". However, it wasn't until the following November when Leona's album "Spirit" was released, following her hugely successful number one "Bleeding Love", which stayed at the top of the charts for a seven week run. TRACK LISTING Bleeding Love The second single to be released by Leona, this single was the best selling single of 2007, and due to it's international release, was also the best selling single of 2008. It has reached the top spot in an incredible 34 countries - and you can see why. It's a brilliant track, perfectly suited to Leona's voice, but with a tune and a sound that anyone would like. Young and the old alike are bound...

Sonic4290 21.01.2009 · Read review
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Review of Spirit - Leona Lewis

THE MISTY ISLE (Eilean a'Cheo) ISLE OF SKYE

Advantages: Tranquility; breathtaking scenery; friendly islanders
Disadvantages: Wet and windy or Midgies - take your pick!

...places stop serving at 9pm, so if you've arrived late in the evening, there are few places where you can get a decent meal after this time. However, progress has marched on and the local Co-op supermarkets in Portree, Broadford and Kyle of Lochalsh, are now open until 10pm Monday-Saturday and 6pm on Sundays (5pm in winter) so you'll at least have somewhere you can buy something to make a sandwich if you're desperate. If there is one thing which spoils the Isle of Skye (and the Highlands in general), it's the midgies. The dreaded midge which, if legend is true (and I can believe it), has forced all potential invaders back since the beginning of time. The little black insect, no bigger than a tea leaf, doesn't fly alone. It flies in packs of millions, hunting for fresh blood. People have invented midgie machines to repel them (and to...

Louizalass 17.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Isle of Skye (Scotland)

Lynne's 'short' guide to the Isle of Wight

Advantages: A place for everyone - young and old!
Disadvantages: You won't want to go home.

...of the countryside. It the summer months, they sometimes have pony trips for the kids. The Chequers inn ? this pub near Rookley has recently been extended. It has a huge following and is always very busy. The garden area is spectacular for the under 12?s, providing slides, climbing frames, wooden play areas and a bouncy castle in high season. The food is gorgeous, but quite pricey. The kids will be kept quiet for long periods, so it?s worth the extra! Visit www.chequersinn-iow.co.uk and have a look, it?s a big place! OTHER PUBS AND BARS There are lots of other pubs/bars and restaurants on the Isle of Wight, but I obviously don?t have the time, or the space to go into details. Here is a quite recommendation though of a select few: The Buddle inn, Niton, Caulkheads, Sandown, Crown, Shorwell, Crab and Lobster, Bembridge, The George, Yarmouth...

purplelynne 11.04.2004 (21.04.2004) · Read review
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Review of Isle of Wight (England)