Gallows hill which is one of the highest if not the highest point within Stornoway Castle Grounds hosts a Neolithic burial cairn. The cairn is intact and can be seen just a few steps from the path. Although it is said to have been a burial cairn, no evidence of human remains were ever found there. In later years it was used as a place of execution of any baddies sentenced to death hence the name Gallows hill, or Cnoc nan Croich.
Pirate N, the most revered of all who sailed the oceans was once set up by an evil and jealous rival called Pirate Ùisdean. Pirate Ùisdean was the leader of a cruel plot to steal all the boats from stornoway harbour and sell them in far off places but his plan was foiled when some of his cronies drunk a wee bit too much ale and blabbed about how rich they would soon be. The sheriff got wind of what these pirates were planning and asked who their leader was, when they realised their mistake they sobered up and said 'it's Pirate N! He's the one who made the plans'. With that, there was an immediate warrant out for his arrest and in the meantime he was sentenced to hanging at Gallows Hill.
Pirate N however, wasn't going to take this slanderous conviction lying down and set about exposing Pirate Ùisdean and his gang of loons. He did so and soon the tables were turned and the bells tolled indicating a hanging on Gallows Hill, Pirate Ùisdean walked the plank for the last time!
It is said that Pirate N placed his cache in the exact spot in which he sat while Pirate Ùisdean was taken to the gallows. It allowed him to take in his favourite view of all time and served as a reminder that no one would get away with messing with the Lewis fleet and her sailors.
While not quite at the top of Gallows Hill, the cache is nearby on the path up to the top that has your right side to the sea on the ascent (left on descent).
The treasure is in a medium lock and lock box in a camo bag and contains a host of treasures and log to sign.
There's a nice picnic bench nearby with a gravel area surrounding it.