PrimeCarers
Calanais Standing Stones, Callanish

Companionship careEilean Siar

Days out in Eilean Siar for an older parent

Eight places in Eilean Siar that make a good day out for an older parent, from Calanais Standing Stones to Taigh Chearsabhagh. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Calanais Standing Stones. Photo: Chmee2, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight days out across seven towns

The best places to take an older parent in Eilean Siar

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and one confirms an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Calanais Standing Stones, Callanish

Photo: Chmee2, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Callanish

Calanais Standing Stones

The Calanais Standing Stones are a cross-shaped arrangement of tall stones set up around 5,000 years ago on a ridge above Loch Roag, about 12 miles west of Stornoway. The stones are looked after by Historic Environment Scotland, and a local charity runs the visitor centre beside them.

Parking is right beside the visitor centre, and the monument is reached through the centre, so the walk to the stones is short.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Dun Carloway Broch, Carloway

Photo: LornaMCampbell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Carloway

Dun Carloway Broch

Dun Carloway is one of the best preserved Iron Age brochs in Scotland, a round drystone tower over 2,000 years old standing on a rocky knoll above Loch Roag. It is open all year and free to visit.

The broch is reached by a rough path across farmland with low entrances, so for someone unsteady on their feet it is best seen from near the car park.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their websiteAccess information

Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway

Photo: Virtual-Pano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Stornoway

Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean

Lews Castle is a Victorian castle overlooking Stornoway harbour, and its modern extension holds Museum nan Eilean, the museum of the Outer Hebrides, with displays that include some of the Lewis Chessmen. The castle has the Storehouse Café, and the wooded castle grounds have paths along the river and shore.

Visitors can drive right up to the castle, and the café is in the same building as the museum, so it is an easy half day in Stornoway.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

An Lanntair

Gallery · Stornoway

An Lanntair

An Lanntair is the Western Isles' main arts centre, on the harbour front in Stornoway, with a gallery, a cinema, a theatre and a café bar. Exhibitions change through the year and often feature island artists.

It is in the town centre by the harbour, with a café bar inside, so it suits a wet day or a short visit before lunch.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Gallery free, films and shows charged

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Luskentyre Beach, Luskentyre

Photo: Thomas Andy Branson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Luskentyre

Luskentyre Beach

Luskentyre is a wide beach of white sand and turquoise water on the west coast of Harris, looking across to the island of Taransay and the hills of North Harris. It is one of several beaches along this stretch of coast.

The views can be enjoyed from the car and the dunes close to the parking, so an older visitor does not need to walk far onto the sand.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

St Clement's Church, Rodel, Rodel

Photo: Gvdwiele, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Rodel

St Clement's Church, Rodel

St Clement's is a medieval church at the southern tip of Harris, built for the MacLeods of Harris in the early 1500s, with carved tombs and a tall tower. It is looked after by Historic Environment Scotland and is free to visit.

The church stands close to the road at Rodel, and the drive there along the Golden Road is part of the outing.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Isle of Harris Distillery, Tarbert

Photo: Coldupnorth, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Tarbert

Isle of Harris Distillery

The Isle of Harris Distillery in Tarbert makes Isle of Harris Gin and Hearach whisky, and runs guided tours of the stills and the story of the island. Visitors can also browse the distillery shop without taking a tour.

The distillery says all public spaces and tour areas are wheelchair friendly, with accessible parking in front of the main doors and accessible toilets on both floors.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free to visit, tours charged

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy

Photo: Stephen Darlington, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Lochmaddy

Taigh Chearsabhagh

Taigh Chearsabhagh is a museum and arts centre in an 18th century inn by the harbour in Lochmaddy, North Uist, with exhibitions on the Uists and contemporary art. It also has a café, a shop and the village post office.

It is by the ferry terminal with a café inside, so it makes a gentle stop with a sit-down and a view over Lochmaddy Bay.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Regular groups and events in Eilean Siar

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Eilean Siar.

  • Gardening · StornowayLewis and Harris Horticultural Producers allotmentsAn allotment and polytunnel site behind the college in Stornoway where local growers raise vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers. A carer can drive someone over for an hour's pottering in a tunnel, which is far easier than tending an exposed plot at home.Details
  • Music · StornowayHebCelt, the Hebridean Celtic FestivalA Celtic and Gaelic music festival held in the castle grounds at Stornoway each July, running since 1996. A carer can plan a short afternoon visit around a seated spot and transport, rather than a full day on site.Details
  • Fishing · StornowayStornoway Angling AssociationFormed in 1931, the association holds the fishing on the River Creed system and a dozen or so wild brown trout lochs within about ten miles of Stornoway, some with boats. A carer can sort the permit and driving so an old hand only has to fish from a bank swim near the car.Details
  • Sports · StornowayStornoway Golf Club at Lady Lever ParkAn eighteen hole course founded in 1890, set in the woodland of the Lews Castle grounds and rising towards the moor, with views over the harbour and the Minch. A carer can drive someone up for a few holes, a short practice session or simply to watch and catch up with old playing partners in the clubhouse.Details
  • Volunteering · StornowayVolunteering Hebrides at Third Sector HebridesThird Sector Hebrides in Stornoway supports voluntary and community groups across the Outer Hebrides and runs Volunteering Hebrides, which matches people with local placements. A carer can make the first enquiry, go along to an introductory chat and help fit a regular slot around medical appointments.Details
  • Volunteering · StornowayBethesda Hospice charity shop, Bayhead StreetThe charity shop on Bayhead Street raises funds for the Bethesda care home and hospice in Stornoway and depends on volunteers for shop and office work. A carer can arrange a short seated shift such as sorting or pricing stock and provide the lift there and back.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Eilean Siar

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Calanais Standing StonesCallanishan hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Dun Carloway BrochCarlowayan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Lews Castle and Museum nan EileanStornowayhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
An LanntairStornowayan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Luskentyre BeachLuskentyrean hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
St Clement's Church, RodelRodelan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Isle of Harris DistilleryTarbertan hour or twoFree outside, paid insideYesYesAsk
Taigh ChearsabhaghLochmaddyan hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Eilean Siar

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678
  1. 1Calanais Standing Stones, Callanish
  2. 2Dun Carloway Broch, Carloway
  3. 3Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean, Stornoway
  4. 4An Lanntair, Stornoway
  5. 5Luskentyre Beach, Luskentyre
  6. 6St Clement's Church, Rodel, Rodel
  7. 7Isle of Harris Distillery, Tarbert
  8. 8Taigh Chearsabhagh, Lochmaddy

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Eilean Siar

Carers in Eilean Siar charge £18 to £25 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Eilean Siar has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Eilean Siar

Calanais Standing Stones in Callanish, Dun Carloway Broch in Carloway, Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean in Stornoway, An Lanntair in Stornoway, Luskentyre Beach in Luskentyre, St Clement's Church, Rodel in Rodel, Isle of Harris Distillery in Tarbert and Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for Isle of Harris Distillery describes a step-free route. Isle of Harris Distillery has an accessible toilet. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Dun Carloway Broch, Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean, An Lanntair, Luskentyre Beach, St Clement's Church, Rodel and Isle of Harris Distillery (outside free, inside paid). Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Eilean Siar shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Companionship care in the counties around Eilean Siar

Days out in the areas around Eilean Siar

Companionship care by town in Eilean Siar

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Eilean Siar

See carers near Eilean Siar who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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