The Gruffalo Trail – into the Deep Dark Wood
In the woods of the Lews Castle Grounds in Stornoway, the Gruffalo Trail sends small children into the deep dark wood to find the characters of the much-loved story, carved from tree trunks by the woodcarver Chainsaw Pete Bowsher.
The Stornoway Trust commissioned it in 2019 for its littlest visitors. It's a free, easy hour or so for families with young children, in any season.
- Time
- About an hour and a half with the walk from the car.
- The path
- A woodland path with roots and log steps in places; ask the Trust about pushchairs.
- Where to start
- Free at the Woodlands Café in the Castle Grounds (ample parking, the Trust), about ten minutes' walk from the trail.
- When to go
- Free, in daylight, all year.
- Children
- Made for small children.
- Before you set out
- Toilets at the Woodlands Café in its hours, Monday to Saturday.
The walk
Park at the Woodlands Café in the Castle Grounds, which has plenty of room, and toilets in its hours. From there it's about ten minutes' walk to Cuddy Point, a seaplane base in the war. Then follow the Trust's own directions: go through the gates, take the road to the right past the old shelter, and the trail starts on the right.
Along it, among the trees, stand the Gruffalo, the owl, the snake and the mouse, all carved by Chainsaw Pete Bowsher, with painted stones and a fairy door to spot on the way. It's free, with no gate: go in daylight. The path is a woodland one, with roots and log steps in places, so ring the Stornoway Trust on 01851 702002 before bringing a pushchair.
Wellies help after rain. The café's play area is back by the car park.
If it rains
All outdoors under the trees, which keep off a shower; in heavy rain, wellies and waterproofs, or another day.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
None of ours is close by: the nearest is Harris Hideaway, 27 miles away. Sleeps 2.
Photograph by Stefan Kohls via Google