A traditional Gaelic speaking, crofting and weaving township with a long sweeping sandy beach, Shawbost has many places of interest and provides excellent opportunities for the keen walker and cyclist - The Balla Gorm - A challenging walk through the open moorland to the foot of Ben Bragar, takes the visitor to the Balla Gorm a sheer face of blue Lewisean Gneiss - one of the oldest known rock formations. This location is reputed to have been the hideout of Mac an Stronaich, the legendary and subsequently outlawed fugitive who was later to be hanged at Gallows Hill in Stornoway, charged with sheep stealing and rustling activities.
A couple of miles walk along the coast takes you to the Norse Mill, a restored Viking settlement where the corn and wheat from the crofts were, in previous generations, taken to be ground for the staple wheat and cornmeal diet of the time.
The local Shawbost Inn serves a range of fine ales on draught. At Carloway harbour,The Macleod Brothers offer a wide range of salmon products, both smoked and fresh and at very reasonable prices. Take some home and try your hand at the Mollans recipe for homemade Gravalax.
The theme of your Mollans holiday is doing your own thing, whether it be fishing, walking, birdwatching etc., but doing it in a peaceful and tranquil environment, safe and enjoyable for adults and children alike.
The local museum houses many artefacts from bygone days including early crofting implements and features a wooden hand loom which formed the basis of the early Harris Tweed weaving industry; leading on eventually to the current Rapier looms designed to meet the world wide demand for this tradional hand woven fabric, now much recognised by the fashion houses of London, and beyond.
Visitors to the local Harris Tweed Mill can purchase lengths of tweed in traditional styles as well as the more recently introduced classical shades and patterns.
For the more energetic, the nearby beaches of Shawbost, Dalbeg and Dalmore have become a magnet for experienced surfers, but the novice should beware that strong tides and currents can affect these waters.
A 30-minute drive takes you to the neolithic Calanais Standing Stones and its excellent interpretative centre where you can test your own theories as to the origins of these magnificent structures; passing on the way to Calanais, the Gearrannan Black House Village and the fortified Broch at Dun Carloway. A two hour drive from Stornoway takes the visitor to the white beaches of Harris and the spectacular settings for the popular 2000 TV Castaway series.
