Scottish Islands Explorer 40: Nov / Dec 2016

The Beehive Cells
‘In the years since the captain visited, the cell domes
have collapsed, but their entrances are intact.’
The Beehive Cells
Marc Calhoun takes a walk to Ardveg
Aquestion I’m asked oen 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. Oen described
as stone igloos, some of these cells predate their use as
shielings by centuries.
42 SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORER NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016