Scottish Islands Explorer - November-December 2016

42 SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORERNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

The Beehive Cells

A

question I’m asked oen is, ‘What are your favourite

places in the islands?’ I don’t hesitate to answer. Two

are in the southwest corner of Lewis: the Morsgail Deer

Forest and the Ardveg. I think of this as the heart of the

Hebrides; a vast, open mix of moorland and hills. It’s full of

wildlife, historic sites and perfect for solitary wanderings.

Over the years I have made several multi-day walks through

this area. For me, hiking there means carrying a tent and

sleeping bag, as the best parts are more than a day’s walk.

Besides, sleeping under Hebridean stars on moorland,

hilltops, or coastal cliffs, serenaded by barking deer and

whirling snipe is a highlight of back-country exploration.

Another highlight is seeing the old shielings where people

migrated with their livestock in the summer to take

advantage of common grazing land. ese sites are especially

interesting if they have older beehive cells. Oen described

as stone igloos, some of these cells predate their use as

shielings by centuries.

Marc Calhountakes a walk to Ardveg

The Beehive Cells

‘In the years since the captain visited, the cell domes

have collapsed, but their entrances are intact.’