Uig is a beautifully scenic area on the south-west coast of Lewis. Our accommodation, shown above, was a converted byre in Carnish (Carnais), a small settlement at the end of a tiny single-track road. Having looked at Google Street View before departing, we can be forgiven for not recognising it. The Google car had not passed that way for 13 years, as the screenshot below shows!

Inside, the place was beautifully constructed, the best bit being the glass extension at the front which was our dining area. This was our view every time we ate. How fabulous was that?

The locals were very helpful, keeping the lawn nicely mowed, though they did get rather too bold in the end, coming right up to the front door and knocking! Perhaps they wanted a tip after their hard work? We didn’t open the door to find out (all photos taken through glass).

Carnish sheep

Carnish sheep

Carnish sheep

Carnish sheep

These ones have just knocked on the door!

There was beautiful coastal walking straight from the door. Even on the brightest days it was not warm, but can you spot the intrepid swimmer? I was not so daft!

Back of Carnish Byre

Carnish sheep

Coast at Carnish

Coast at Carnish

Anabel

John

Coast at Carnish

Carnish sheep

Carnish sunset

Intrepid swimmer

Coast at Carnish

Coast at Carnish

Coast at Carnish

Looking over to turf roofed house

Turf roofed hose

We were also lucky to have within walking distance the Abhainn Dearg (Red River) Distillery, a tiny farmyard operation founded in 2008 and producing around 10,000 bottles a year. Our helpful guide, Laura, explained that everything was local except the yeast and was kept as traditional as possible, e.g. cylindrical stills rather than pot stills, because they are the same shape as old illegal stills. There is no wastage – everything is recycled, with the malt and left over liquid being used for cattle feed. After an informative tour we got down to the main business – a tasting! There might have been a bottle came home with us.

Entrance

Anabel with chessman

Car park open

Chessman

Gruffalo bench

Tasting room exterior

Tasting room interior

Tasting room interior

Tasting room interior

Laura, our guide

By the stills

Barrels

Tasting!

So much for our local area – more about what we did elsewhere on the island coming soon.