Stornoway Harbour Webcam – Ferries and Ships on Lewis

The Stornoway Harbour Webcam looks over the inner harbor of Stornoway, the main town on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, toward the ferry terminal where CalMac’s MV Loch Seaforth berths between crossings to Ullapool. The camera runs a roaming pattern: it opens on a wide view of the harbor, pans to four different areas in turn, then swings back to the wide shot. On the wide view the black-hulled ferry sits at the terminal pier, a stone quay with a parking area runs down the right of the frame, and the hills on the far side of the harbor close off the horizon. Fishing boats, survey vessels, Coastguard and RNLI craft, yachts and visiting cruise ships all use this water, so the scene rarely stays the same for long.

About Stornoway Harbour

Stornoway is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides, with a population of 6,953 in 2022, and its harbor is the main seaport for the whole island chain. The town was founded by Vikings in the early 9th century and had become a police burgh by 1863. More than 95 percent of visitors to Lewis arrive through this harbor, and the ferry terminal sits right at the edge of the town center.

The operator describes a working port with three piers, a deep water port, slipways and a marina. Number 3 Pier is the main cruise berth, taking ships up to 156 meters (512 feet) long with a draft of 6.5 meters (21 feet), and the ferry terminal next to it doubles as the reception point for cruise passengers. Larger ships go to the deep water terminal, built under a 49 million pound contract signed in April 2022 and designed for vessels up to 360 meters (1,181 feet) long. Yachts tie up in the 80-berth marina, which has power, water and wifi on the pontoons.

Ships enter past Arnish Point Lighthouse, first lit in 1852 to mark the harbor entrance. It was designed by Alan Stevenson and was the Northern Lighthouse Board’s first prefabricated lighthouse. Across the inner harbor from the town center, Lews Castle stands in wooded grounds. It was built in the mid-19th century for Sir James Matheson, who bought the island in 1844.

Weather and Climate in Stornoway

Stornoway has a mild, wet and windy maritime climate. January days average a high of 7.5 C (46 F) and a low of 2.7 C (37 F), while July averages 16.3 C (61 F) by day and 10.8 C (51 F) at night. Rain comes in every season and adds up to about 1,235 millimeters (48.6 inches) a year. The town also records the highest frequency of hail in the UK, with 30 or more hail days a year, and on the camera a squall can grey out the whole harbor in minutes before the light comes back.

At 58 degrees north, daylight swings hard through the year. Late December gives only about six and a half hours of daylight, so the harbor is lit mostly by quay and ship lights for much of a winter afternoon. In June the sun is up for around 18 hours, so the camera shows the harbor in daylight from early morning until late in the evening, and boats on the water can often still be picked out at ten at night.

Things to Do Near Stornoway Harbour

Lews Castle is a short walk from the harbor, and its modern extension holds Museum nan Eilean, which opened on 14 July 2016. The museum covers the history and culture of the Outer Hebrides and displays six of the Lewis Chessmen, carved around 1150 and left on the island by visiting Vikings. The wooded castle grounds sit directly across the water from the town. On the seafront, the An Lanntair arts center has run exhibitions, films and events since it opened in October 2005.

The Calanais Standing Stones, one of the best-known prehistoric sites in Scotland, lie about 27 kilometers (17 miles) west of Stornoway by road, roughly a 30-minute drive. For a trip to the mainland, the Loch Seaforth crossing to Ullapool takes about 2 hours 30 minutes and is the route most visitors use to arrive.

Similar Webcams You Might Like

More harbors and island views from around the UK:

• Berneray Webcam
• Troon Marina Webcam
• Dartmouth Harbour Webcam

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Stornoway Harbour located?

Stornoway Harbour is on the east coast of the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides off the northwest coast of Scotland. It sits right beside Stornoway town center, the largest town in the islands.

What can you see on the Stornoway Harbour Webcam?

The Stornoway Harbour Webcam moves between a wide view of the inner harbor and four closer views. Expect the Ullapool ferry at its terminal pier, fishing boats, Coastguard and RNLI craft, yachts and, in season, visiting cruise ships.

Why does the Stornoway Harbour Webcam view keep changing?

The camera runs a roaming pattern on purpose. It starts on the wide harbor view, pans to four different areas one after another, then returns to the wide view and repeats the cycle.

What is the weather like in Stornoway?

Mild, wet and windy. Winter highs sit around 7.5 C (46 F) and summer highs around 16.3 C (61 F), with about 1,235 millimeters (48.6 inches) of rain a year and frequent hail showers.

How long is the ferry from Stornoway to Ullapool?

The CalMac crossing on the MV Loch Seaforth, which has worked the route since 2015, takes about 2 hours 30 minutes from Stornoway harbor to Ullapool on the Scottish mainland.

Do cruise ships stop in Stornoway?

Yes, Stornoway is a regular port of call. Ships up to 156 meters (512 feet) long berth at Number 3 Pier beside the ferry terminal, and larger ships use the deep water terminal.

What is there to do in Stornoway?

Lews Castle and Museum nan Eilean, home to six of the Lewis Chessmen, are a short walk from the harbor. The An Lanntair arts center is on the seafront, and the Calanais Standing Stones are about 27 kilometers (17 miles) west by road.

Source: Hebridean Live Cams