ACTIVITIES

The beautiful turquoise waters, endless white sandy beaches and amazing wildlife of the Uists are too good to be missed, so go out and enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors. From walking along a deserted sandy beach, climbing Eaval from the house or sailing to a remote uninhabited Island there is something for everyone.

Wildlife Excursions

Travelling around the island, you can enjoy frequent sightings of wild red deer, hen harriers, short-eared owls and otters in their natural habitat. But there are also various options for taking tours with a local wildlife ranger who has fantastic knowledge of the local flora and fauna.

We can also arrange for a local guide to take you out onto one of the many moorland lochs to explore further the unique wildlife of these islands and drink in the peace and tranquillity.

A trip to the Balranald Nature reserve is a must at any time of the year. This stunning area has beautiful areas of machair (Gaelic word meaning fertile low lying grassy plain). This is one of the rarest habitats in Europe and only occurs on exposed areas of western Scotland and Ireland. In this area, it is the sheer abundance of flowers that makes the machair so special. The colours constantly change throughout the season with yellows dominating at first and then fading into reds, whites and blues. These flowers are at their best between May and mid-August.

 
Fishing

For keen anglers there are plenty of moorland lochs and sea pool and to test your skills.

Please contact either:
North Uist Angling Club Tel: 01876 580653 for further details.
North Uist Estates: Tel: 01876 500329 for further details.


Sea Trips

We can also advise you of local wildlife tours who can take you out into the Sound of Harris, to visit the seals on the Monach Isles or puffins on Mingulay. You may see whales, pods of dolphins and sea eagles (white-tailed eagles) all in one trip.

If the weather is good, a trip to the UNESCO dual world heritage site of St Kilda is a must. These volcanic islands, which were evacuated in 1930, boast the highest sea cliffs in the UK and are the single most important sea bird breeding station in North-west Europe.

A trip to these unique islands can be organised through:
www.seaharris.com
Tel:01859 502007

Walking and Cycling

There are so many beaches on North Uist, it is difficult to choose which to experience first. A deserted white sand beach with turquoise water is a wonderful place to be and a walk on the deserted beaches of Uist can be transformative for the soul.  We would recommend Hosta, Traigh Hornais or Berneray’s west Beach

The best views on the island are from the top of Eaval which is the highest hill on North Uist. This is accessible by walking directly from the house and takes in the adventure of the “Stepping Stones” before you are rewarded with stunning views that make you realise that North Uist really is a sea of land and a land of water!

The island roads are relatively flat and quiet and are therefore very well suited to cycling.

There are many amazing cycle routes and walks on the island and the Visit Outer Hebrides website (www.outerhebrides.co.uk) details many of these, including the famous Hebridean Way. 

Local Food And Drink

There are several places to eat on the islands. Booking is highly recommended, especially in the summer months:

For breakfast or brunch, then a scallop and bacon roll with a hot mug of tea, the Namara Seafood Café at Kallin Pier cannot be beaten.

The Westford Inn at Claddach Kirkibost is 20 minutes by car and has superb evening meals and real ales. Booking is a must.

Other local hotels and restaurants near to the house include Langass Lodge and the Hamersay House in Lochmaddy.

Further afield, the Berneray Bistro and Charlie’s Bistro are all highly recommended.

Also recommended is The Hebridean Smoke House, which produces and sells peat and beechwood smoked trout, salmon and scallops.