A Hebridean Odyssey: Part 15 - Lewis: Great Bernera

This video is the fifteenth in a series that documents a trip taken in May 2022, in which we visited 16 of the Hebridean islands. This and 4 other episodes are video diaries of places visited, scenery seen and roads driven on the Isle of Lewis in the Western Isles.
This particular video covers the island of Great Bernera (Gaelic Beàrnaraigh Mòr), which lies just off the northwest coast of Lewis and is the largest island in Loch Roag. It was the 16th and final island of our visit. Originally connected to Lewis in 1953 by the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe (“Bridge over the Atlantic”), a replacement bridge has recently opened. The standing stones of Callanais VIII sit above the bridge. The island is about five miles long by two miles wide with a population of about 250. The only village is Breaclete, which includes the island's only shop, post office and filling station all in one. The community hall has a community-run cafe, a small museum and a medical practice. At Bostadh in the north west, there is a fabulous beach. An iron age village was discovered beneath the dunes at the head of the beach after a large storm surge in 1993 washed away part of the dunes, revealing organised stones. A replica house was built, whilst the archaeologists let the sand re-cover the real iron age houses to protect them after they had been excavated. There is a wonderful, knowledgeable, Great Bernera-born guide to show people round.
Further videos from Lewis cover our journey from Harris to Lewis, exploring the West Side, Ness, and the Butt of Lewis; Callanais (Callanish) I,II and III; the south west of Lewis; and Stornoway, the Iolaire Memorial, Point and our return trip to Ullapool.
Music:
1. Chris Zabriskie Prelude No 21
2. Allen Maslen Hebrides from The Shipping Forecast
3. Paul-Arden Taylor From The Hebrides: IV. The Deep Blue from Celtic Twilight
4. William Jackson Aran Boat Song from Celtic Tranquility

[@mrhuffler9791]

Beautiful, the colour of the sea is amazing, maybe partly to do with the pale coloured beach sand. 😊

[@Louisa93able]

Since the ancient dwellings needed wood for the roofing, it is fair to assume that long ago woodland cover would have been quite extensive, perhaps almost complete. Would it be wise to restore a lot more woodland using native species of course?