A free active travel map launched yesterday (Wednesday March 18) to encourage more people to walk or cycle around Stornoway.

In all, 4,000 copies of the map have been produced to help residents consider more active ways to travel for their short journeys to work, school or for social and leisure visits.

Tourists to the area can also use them to navigate their way around the town and its many points of interest by bike or foot.

Highlands and Islands Regional Transport Partnership (HITRANS) is making the maps available to promote the health, economic and environmental benefits from walking and cycling.

Copies have been sent out to all households with Stornoway postcodes.

Maps can also be picked up from –


NHS Western Isles, 37 South Beach
Third Sector Hebrides, 30 St Francis Street
Bespoke Bicycles, The Hub, Glen House, Willowglen Road.

Or they are available on the HITRANS website here

The guides show key sites that are on walking or cycling routes in the area including Lews Castle Grounds, Lews Castle Museum, Stornoway Ferry Terminal, Stornoway Golf Course, Bespoke Bicycles Repair Shop, Gallows Hill, River Creed, Strawberry Hill, Lews Castle College, and Stornoway Pier.

It also shows how far people can walk or cycle in five or 10-minute journeys.

Leah Mackay, Behaviour Change Officer, HITRANS, said: “The new Stornoway active travel maps are a simple but powerful way to help people make more sustainable choices about how they move around our area.

“By clearly highlighting walking and cycling routes, we’re making it easier for residents and visitors alike to discover healthier, greener ways to travel.”

Laura Mackay, Health Improvement Practitioner, NHS Western Isles, said: “The Stornoway Active Travel Map makes it easy to plan walking and cycling routes for everyday journeys like getting to work, school or out for leisure.

“Its handy five and 10-minute travel zones help you see just how far you can go on foot or by bike, making it easier to build the recommended 30 minutes of daily physical activity into your routine and support your overall health.”