ancient ruins
Callanish Standing Stones
Magnificent cruciform stone setting on the Isle of Lewis, erected around 2900 BC and rivalling Stonehenge in scale and mystery.
21 km · about 25 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Stornoway
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Stornoway
Stornoway is worth a stop: 1 hours from Ullapool, 50km from Golden Road, Harris.
Stornoway is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 7,500, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Stornoway sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Stornoway to your route.
About Stornoway
Stornoway (Scottish Gaelic: Steòrnabhagh) is a port town in Scotland, the main town, and by far the largest, of the Outer Hebrides and the capital of both the Isle of Lewis and encompassing island of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.
Stornoway is the third-largest island town in Scotland's islands after Kirkwall in OrkneyRead more
and Lerwick in Shetland. The historical civil parish of Stornoway, which includes various nearby villages, has a combined population of just over 10,000. The Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (the Western Isles Council) measures population in a different area: the Stornoway settlement area, Laxdale, Sandwick and Newmarket; in 2019, the estimated population for this area was 6,953.
Stornoway is an important port and the administrative centre of the Outer Hebrides. It is home to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and a variety of educational, sporting and media establishments. Until relatively recently, observance of the Christian Sabbath (Sunday) has been associated with Hebridean culture. Recent changes mean that Sundays on Lewis now more closely resemble those in most parts of the Southern Isles, i.e. Benbecula, South Uist, Barra, and Vatersay, and on mainland Scotland.
Where to Stay in Stornoway
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Stornoway?
Stornoway offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
How do I plan a road trip to Stornoway?
Plan your road trip to Stornoway with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Stornoway as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.
Where is Stornoway located?
Stornoway is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 58.2092 latitude, -6.3865 longitude.
What is the population of Stornoway?
Stornoway has a population of approximately 7,500 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 7,500
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 58.2092, -6.3865
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Stornoway
5 notable places within an hour's drive.
beach
Luskentyre Beach
A remote Outer Hebrides beach with vast expanses of white sand and Caribbean-blue waters set against wild Scottish moorland.
49 km · about 55 min drive
beach
Seilebost Beach
A vast tidal sandflat across the bay from Luskentyre on Harris, best seen from the viewpoint on the A859 above.
50 km · about 60 min drive
famous road
Golden Road, Harris
A twisting single-track road through the rocky Bays of east Harris, so called for what it cost to build in the 1890s.
50 km · about 60 min drive
beach
Scarista Beach
A long Atlantic beach on the west coast of Harris, backed by machair and a links golf course.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Stornoway
9 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 100km.
- 50 kmGolden Road, HarrisA twisting single-track road through the rocky Bays of east Harris, so called for what it cost to build in the 1890s.
- 63 kmQuiraing Viewpoint (Isle of Skye)A viewpoint on the single-track road across the Trotternish Ridge, overlooking an otherworldly landscape of pinnacles, plateaux, and lochs.
- 65 kmBealach Ollasgairte (Quiraing Road)The single-track road over the Trotternish ridge between Uig and Staffin, climbing hairpins to the Quiraing car park.
- 65 kmQuiraing Road (Staffin to Uig)A steep single-track crossing of the Trotternish ridge past the Quiraing landslip, with a viewpoint car park at the top.
- 68 kmA855 Trotternish Loop, SkyeThe loop past the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the Quiraing, arguably the most scenic circuit on Skye.
- 69 kmSuilvenUnmistakable sandstone mountain rising like a fortress from the wild Assynt landscape, one of Scotland's most iconic and recognisable peaks.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Stornoway.
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