The Western Isles - The Rough Guide to Scottish Highlands and Islands - page 306

to its exposed position, the site has been refilled with sand, and a full-scale mock-up
built instead, based on the “jelly baby” houses - after the shape - that were excavated.
Inside, the house is incredibly spacious, and very dark, illuminated only by a central
hearth and a few chinks of sunlight. If the weather's fine and you climb to the top of
the nearby hills, you should get a good view over the forty or so islands in Loch Roag
(Loch Ròg), and maybe even the Flannan Isles (see p.305) on the horizon.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE BERNERA

6

By bus There are regular buses from Stornoway to Bernera (Mon-Sat 4 daily; 1hr).

Uig (Uuige)
It's a long drive along the partially upgraded B8011 to the remote region of Uig (Uuige),
one of the areas of Lewis that suffered very badly from the Clearances. The landscape
here is hillier and more dramatic than elsewhere, a combination of myriad islets, wild
cliff scenery and patches of pristine golden sand.
The main road into the area takes you through the narrow canyon of Glen Valtos
(Glèann Bhaltois) to TIMSGARRY (Timsgearraidh), which overlooks Uig Sands
(Tràigh Uuige), the largest and most prized of all the golden strands on Lewis, where
the sea goes out for miles at low tide; the best access point is from the car park near the
cemetery in Ardroil (Eadar Dha Fhadhail), a couple of miles south of Timsgarry.
To the west of the Uig Sands is the tiny settlement of MANGERSTA (Mangurstadh),
and a coastline of spectacular stacks and cliffs. A mile or so to the north, the old RAF
radio station on the headland of Aird Mòr is the chosen site for a new St Kilda Centre ,
which one day will tell the fascinating story of the remote archipelago (see p.310),
and - on fine days - afford views of it.

Uig Museum
Uig Community Centre, Timsgarry • Mon-Fri noon-5pm • £1 • T 01851 672456
A giant wooden statue of one of the Lewis Chessmen , which were found in a local
sandbank in 1831, heralds the Uig Museum in Timsgarry. Inside, you can see some
replicas of the twelfth-century Viking chesspieces, which were carved from walrus
ivory and whale teeth and now reside in Edinburgh's Royal Museum of Scotland and
the British Museum in London. As well as putting on some excellent temporary
exhibitions, the museum has bits and bobs from blackhouses and is staffed by locals,
who are happy to answer any queries you have; there's also a welcome tearoom in the
adjacent nursery during the holidays.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE UIG

By bus There are regular buses from Stornoway to Uig (Mon-Sat 4 daily; 1hr-1hr 30min).

ACCOMMODATION
Ardroil campsite Ardroil (Eadar Dha Fhadhail)
T 01851 672248. The location, by one of the most remote

and incredible sandy beaches in the Western Isles, is
unbeatable, but be warned, there's only a toilet block and

BOAT TRIPS
There's a wide choice of boat trips offered around the Western Isles. Prices start at around
£45 per person for a short RIB wildlife cruise to around £200 for a day-trip to St Kilda. Sea Trek
( T 01851 672469, W seatrek.co.uk), who leave from Miavaig (Miabhaig) in Uig, go regularly to
St Kilda (and occasionally to Sula Sgeir and Rona), as do Kilda Cruises ( T 01859 502060,
W kildacruises.co.uk), who operate a 55ft motor cruiser from West Tarbert on Harris, and also
offer shorter trips to the likes of the Shiant Isles. For longer trips around the islands, contact
Island Cruising ( T 01851 672381, W island-cruising.com), based at Miavaig (Miabhaig) in Uig.