Lewis Maps

Isle of Lewis Maps

Finding Dun Eistein

By Doug Criner

NOTE: For technical reasons, the three maps embedded in this webpage are larger files than they really need to be. With a dial-up Internet connection, it will take some time to download these maps. In the meantime, while the maps are downloading, you may read the text.

Dun Eistein, the legendary stronghold of the Clan Morrison, is located near the northern tip, the Butt of Lewis--but is not easy to find. Map 1 shows the general location of Dun Eistein (Gaelic for "Hugh's Castle").

Map 1 also highlights, in yellow, three other special places that may be visited on a drive between Stornoway and the Butt: the Callanish Standing Stones, something akin to Stonehenge, that predate any arrival of the Morrison ancestors; Dun Carlaway Broch, a cylindrical fortress from which members of the Clan Morrison were smoked out by the Clan MacAulay after supposedly rustling the MacAulay's livestock; and the Black House, the only remaining stone and thatched house of crofters. (It is at the Black House that Mr. Donald Morrison serves as a guide and curator; he can provide up-to-date instructions on reaching Dun Eistein and information on the current drivability of the rough, rocky farm road leading to Dun Eistein.)

Map 1 designates the road leading to the Butt as A857. I don't recall for certain that the road number is marked, but it is easy to find and it is paved. Driving time from Stornoway to the Butt of Lewis is about 45 minutes, without stops. Stornoway, the main town of Lewis, may be reached by ferry from the Scottish mainland or by air.

If you examine Map 1 closely, you will note that the end of the road makes a loop. Dun Eistein is accessible from the upper segment of the loop.

A free copy of this map, which also includes a street map of Stornoway, may be picked up at the Western Isles Tourist Board, 26 Cromwell Street, in Stornoway.

Map 1 - Isle of Lewis. The place names in parentheses are in Gaelic.

Map 2 is a crude enlargement of the Butt area. Note the loop road at the end--at the far end of the loop is a large lighthouse. Dun Eistein is not accessible or visible from the lighthouse.

Dun Eistein is actually a small, rugged island separated from the Lewis mainland by a very deep, sheer chasm. In recent years, the Clan Morrison erected a steel pedestrian bridge to Dun Eistein.

Map 2 - Butt of Lewis

Map 3 is an enlargement of just the Dun Eistein area. From the upper segment of the loop road, there is what appears to be a farm lane running from the hard road past a farmhouse. Well, it is a farm lane. We just drove in like we owned the place, emboldened by the advice of Donald Morrison, not stopping to ask permission at the farmhouse, which is occupied. The lane is very rough and rocky, particularly the first several hundred yards. It is passable with a 2-wheel-drive sedan, but barely. Take it very slowly if you value your car's tires and springs! If you prefer, you may leave your vehicle at the first gate, and hike to Dun Eistein, about a 25-minute walk. Driving isn't much faster because of the rough road.

The lane traverses pasture which contained cattle and sheep. There are several gates that must be driven through--be sure to close all gates.

Map 3 shows additional landmarks to help locate the farm lane: a water tower (actually an elevated tank) and a small sign on the hard road pointing to "Dun Eistein." The sign is tiny, faded, and easy to miss and appeared ready to fall over.

Map 3 - Access to Dun Eistein