Eye of the Butt / Toll a'Ròigh
Following the coast southwest from or to the Butt of Lewis 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.
Legend has it, that many centuries ago, the Vikings used the Eye of the Butt, to try and tug the Outer Hebrides in the direction of Scandinavia.
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.
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/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.