Doune Braes Hotel, Isle Of Lewis

Extends a personal welcome from your host, Eileen MacDonald, and her staff. The Hotel offers comfortable accommodation, fine food and spectacular surroundings. It is situated in the township of Carloway on the west side of the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles in a tranquil location. Lovely beaches and world class archaeology are nearby, and the location is excellent to use as a base for exploring Lewis and Harris.

The Isle of Lewis is the most northerly of the group of Islands known as the Hebrides, or Western Isles. also known as the "long island" as they stretch for 130 miles from the Butt of Lewis to Barra Head. Lewis is steeped in history and culture, ranging back thousands of years. Ancient stone circles stand on the same land as modern Stornoway, while most of the inhabitants speak Gaelic as their native tongue.

Gaelic is spoken alongside English, and Eagles live alongside Otters and people. The contrast of the ages and cultures is experienced all over the isles of Lewis and Harris (part of the same island) both in the towns and out in the hills and mountains.

In the summer months local people can still be seen cutting the peats and in the winter, the distinctive dry smell of the peat fires drifts in the wind.

The name of MacLeod (son of Leod) is seen regularly in the phone books and on the name boards of shops, and the ending of "bost" on the place names, giving witness to the Viking past of the Isles. The Western Isles culture remains very strong, particularly in its religious beliefs. Sundays remain a very special day, and many people observe strict compliance to the "Free Church" traditional values.