Summer 2022: Carnish
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).
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!
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.
So much for our local area – more about what we did elsewhere on the island coming soon.
The Glasgow Gallivanter 
Hi Anabel – what a wonderful place to discover and for us to see the before and after – very appropriately converted. Gorgeous … while the distillery is fascinating – personally whisky is no no, but I love the history … what fun – cheers Hilary
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We both like whisky, but not at the rate we keep buying interesting looking bottles! This one hasn’t been tested yet.
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This looks a marvellously wild and energising place to get away from the 21st century.
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It was. The islands are definitely a lot busier than when we first visited over 30 years ago, but you can still get away from it all. Uig is a particularly quiet area.
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I take it a byre is a barn? At least the locals didn’t mind giving up their stalls for the guests.🙂 Very beautiful views. So John is a polar bear, eh?
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A byre is a cowshed so this lot wouldn’t have been allowed in then either! Maybe their ancestors annoyed the cows by banging on their door. John is a lot of things (all good, I hasten to add, in case he read this 😉). I’ll add polar bear to the list.
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This looks like a fantastic spot! I love the views from the eating area, and the bold locals.
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It was brilliant! We had a lovely week there.
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What a brilliant place to explore. You were definitely spoiled with your views!
I especially loved that the distillery focussed on local ingredients and complete recycling!
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Definitely spoils! I liked the ethos of the distillery too. The owner was pointed out to us – mending a wall in the grounds. Very hands on.
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Looks a fantastic place and location.
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We were very pleased with our choice! Ok, credit where credit’s due, John’s choice. He found this one.
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What a beautiful holiday home. The views are gorgeous.
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Unbelievably so!
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That is a very successful renovation.
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It is. Beautifully done.
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Ab fab! Brings back some memories of my trip last May. One day we parked up by the distillery, so close to where you stayed. And after our walk on the cliffs we walked over the beach to the car park near to the giant chessman.
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I remember that, and noticed the parking area where you must have been. We were just about 15 mins walk up the turning to the right of that. Mangersta coming soon(ish).
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I’m looking forward to your posts about Harris. I loved ittyere (despite the wind and rain 😂)
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We didn’t go to Harris on this trip, just Lewis. After the week on Carnish we went onto the mainland and had a few days in the Black Isle which I’d never been to before.
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I think I meant to write Lewis and Harris – but I was still wrong! It is confusing being one island but treated as two. I went to both and there certainly was a difference in the landscape.
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Yes, definitely more on Lewis to come.
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Oh, andthe bogs. 🤣
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Great neighbours, Anabel. Bit nosey though. You’d have thought they’d have been happy to admire that stunning view.
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Probably a bit everyday to them! We were a novelty and worth investigating. Very different from sheep at home who run a mile when you look at them.
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