Explore the Outer Hebrides with me.

The “Homecoming”.

When I was a child, the Isle of Lewis was where I spent most of my school holidays. My aunt and uncle lived on a croft where my brother and I got to experience a different childhood to that which we were used to growing up. The air was a mix of sea salt and peat smoke, but to me, it was simply the smell of laughter, freedom, and adventure. My uncle is a native islander - a MacLeod, which meant we felt as if we got to know every inch of Lewis, and a fair bit of Harris too!

Somehow, 25 years had passed since my last proper trip. I had gone a couple of times with the children when they were wee along with their dad, but my aunt moved away and time moved on. It wasn’t until a few years ago, when I went back fleetingly for a family funeral, that I realised how much I had missed it! Sailing into Stornoway harbour felt like a homecoming, the Gaelic people and culture wrapped around me, making me feel as welcome as ever, like I belonged.

I was determined to go back for a proper trip, to explore all the old haunts and wallow in the beauty of it all. Although we were only there for a short week, that’s exactly what we did.

We ended the month on the beautiful island of Mull. A place I had always wanted to visit, I wasn’t prepared for the jaw-dropping beauty of the landscape!