Cunndal

Machair

This area is known as machair and is an exceptionally rare habitat almost entirely confined to the Hebrides and north west Scotland. It is formed when sand from nearby beaches blows onto peat soils. Tiny fragments of seashells in the sand add calcium to the barren, acidic peat soils, resulting in lush fertile strips around our coastlines which have long been used for growing crops and grazing livestock.

Cunndal Memorial

There is a memorial to the men lost here on 5th March 1885, when the local fishing fleet was caught in a terrible gale. Two boats attempted to seek shelter at Cunndal, just north of this point. Both boats and twelve men – all from Eoropie - were lost.

Eoropie memories

Here is a transcript of an interview with two local men, Donald Macleod and Donald MacKenzie, talking about their memories of Eoropie.

Click on the images below to enjoy these fascinating local stories.

Eoropie interview, Donald Macleod and Donald Mackenzie

Taken from taken from Eachdraidh le Càirdeas is Cridhe / History with Heart and Soul, The Place-names of North Lewis,

For further information about the village of Eoropie, there is a local publication, Na Bailtean: Eòropaidh, which can be purchased from the local historical society, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis.

Other points of interest

Toll a' Ròidh (Eye of the Butt)

Following the coast southwest from/to the lighthouse there is a natural arch called the "Eye of the Butt" (Scottish Gaelic: Toll a’ Ròigh). It can be best viewed from the Habost machair.

Photo credit Angus Maclean

Lochruban, Pigmies' Isles, view of entrance way. © Crown Copyright: HES.jpg

Luchraban

A small island, once joined to the coast by a promontory according to Captain Dymes in the early 1600s. "Pygmies: Luach Righ Ban" refers to the legend that pygmies once lived here. The island is also called Eilean nan Dunibeg, or Pygmies Isle.

Photo credit © Crown Copyright: HES

Audio: Far am bi mi fhìn

Have a listen to this port a beul (Gaelic for mouth music - a type of song used for dancing) with mention of walking on the beach. Performed by the winners of the under-17 unison choir competition, the Nicolson Institute Gaelic Choir from Stornoway, at the Royal National Mòd in Inverness in 1972.

Photo credit Jayne Macleod

Wildlife

This route offers mile after mile of impressive sea cliffs, and provides a good chance to spot whales, dolphins and basking sharks on calm days.

Photo credit Isle of Lewis Wildlife Diary

Surf’s Up at Eoropie, BEACH, Philippa Ha

Surfing

Surfers can often be seen riding the waves here; the Atlantic coast of Lewis is now recognised as one of Britain’s best (if coldest!) surfing destinations.

Photo credit Philly Hare

Want to learn more?

If you want to continue your research here are a few resources to explore more about the rich history and traditions of North Lewis.

Nis Aosmhor

First published in 1997, this long-awaited photographic book by Dan Morrison depicts the distinctive Hebridean crofting way of life. This book will be of interest not only to those with Hebridean roots but to all who value the strength of rural communities, customs and landscapes.

Eachdraidh le Càirdeas is Cridhe – Ainmean-àite Ceann a Tuath Leòdhais Nis Gu Baile an Truiseil

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis (Ness Historical Society) created a rich archive of place-names, the information having been provided by over fifty contributors between 1966 and 2018, and this book is the result. The book is separated into all the villages in Ness in order to highlight the cultural and historical importance of place-names and is a record of the names as the people of the area say and spell them. The photographs of contributors inside display the vitality of sharing and culminating knowledge about place-names from Ness to Ballantrushal, in the northwest of the Isle of Lewis.

Tobar an Dualchais

Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches is Scotland’s online resource dedicated to the presentation and promotion of audio recordings of Scotland’s cultural heritage. Its principal content is songs, music, history, poetry, traditions and stories, recorded from the 1930s onwards. The website contains material from three archives: The School of Scottish Studies, The Canna Collection and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal and there are recordings in Gaelic, Scots and English, with many recordings from the Isle of Lewis. Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches’ principal aim is to ensure that Scotland’s rich oral heritage is safeguarded and made widely available for present and future generations.