An excellent website with North Uist information is
The
Internet Guide to Scotland
Or
NORTH UIST
Struan Cottage lies 10 miles from Lochmaddy ( principal town of North
Uist ) on the 35 mile circular road which has short branches off to townships
such as Locheport and Otternish ( new causeway to Berneray and CALMAC ferry
to Leverburgh in Harris ). The cottage sits 50 yards from the roadside
on the bay at Vallay Strand with picturesque views to the now uninhabited
island of Vallay. The cottage was built in the 19th century and has been
recently modernised to combine all the benefits of modern amenities with
the original appearance of a traditional, thatched cottar's whitehouse
. The cottage comprises one double bedroom with single sleeping loft, living
room/kitchen with sleeping loft for two and a toilet with shower . Cooking
and heating are by electricity with the opportunity for using solid fuel
stove .A fridge is provided .
Tenants are asked to supply their own bed linen (the
beds have downies so covers will be required ) .
Traditional thatcher at work
Our traditional thatchers, John and Angus Alec.
The house is close to a protected bay providing an
ideally safe area for swimming ,canoeing etc. At low tide the full beauty
of the magnificent silver sands of Vallay Strand is exposed affording an
opportunity to gather cockles , play games on the beach or walk across
to explore the island of Vallay ( remembering to check beforehand the times
of the tides !! )
Lochmaddy is the main town with ferries to and from Uig in Skye and Tarbert in Harris . It is the islands business centre with The Bank of Scotland , Post Office , Court House , Police Station , Doctor , Hotel , shops , petrol station and tourist office all to be found here .
Lochmaddy Hotel
OTHER PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE
1999 was the centenary of the crofting of Sollas click here to see photos and a variety of events happened in July 1999. Today all the crofts except one are occupied by descendants of the original crofters who settled here a century ago.
Many of these original crofters came from Heiskeir(click
here for more info.) .
A memorial site was officially opened in July 1999.More
Heisker photos
More information on Heiskeir
Struan Cottage,Cottage interior, thatching
In Sollas , 1.5 miles from Struan Cottage is the Co-op store ( open
Mon - Saturday ) which has a good stock of tinned,frozen and fresh produce
as well as an off-licence . There is also a Post Office in Sollas .
There are also shops at Bayhead and at Clachan
Four main hotels in North Uist serve bar and evening meals ; Lochmaddy
Hotel , Westford Inn , Langass Lodge and Caranish.
Claddach Kikibost Centre has an excellent cafe(11am to 5 pm)
Taigh Chearsabhagh is the Arts Centre, it oten has workshops and events.
Also has a nice cafe.
The Isle of North Uist , unspoilt by tourism , provides a unique opportunity
for those who wish to relax and explore and where the pace of life allows
space for reflection . The island is flatter than South Uist, its highest
hills,Eaval and South Lee being 1,139 feet and 898 feet respectively standing
on the eastern shores of the island surrounded by a jigsaw of glistening
sea and fresh water lochs ( O.S. Maps 18 & 22 ) . The west cost of
the island with the rolling machair land bordering the Atlantic Ocean is
lush in vegetation and carpeted with wild flowers .
Wild Orchid
Its miles of silvery sands are frequented by wild birds.
Puffin
It is here that the RSPB reserve
of Balranald is situated . The reserve is 3 miles from Bayhead ( Paible
) turning left off the main road at Hougharry . The summer warden can be
contacted at the reception cottage at Goular near Hougharry , not at Balranald
. The 1500 acre reserve was set by an agreement with crofters and comprises
a wide variety of Hebridean habitats ranging from beaches to lochs and
flower clad meadows . North Uist is a paradise for those interested in
ancient historical sites with prehistoric forts ,wheelhouses and chambered
cairns many in good condition .With its myriad of sea and freshwater lochs
North Uist is an ideal holiday venue for the keen fisherman . Permits and
information can be obtained from the Lochmaddy Hotel . The main industries
on the island are crofting and fishing . The lobster fishermen land their
catch on the island of Grimsay , linked by a causeway to North Uist . Here
the lobsters may be seen . They have a shellish market at Kallin Peir on
Saturdays 11am - 2 pm. An excellent fish store is Mermaid Fish Supplies
near Clachan offering a wide range of smoked fish .
The community school at Liniclate , Benbecula has a swimming pool ,a
great library for children, theatre and sports complex . There is an 18
hole golf course on South Uist . There is a 9 hole golf course at Sollas,
visit
their website
Additional information and telephone numbers :
Doctor , Lochmaddy.... 018763
500333
Bicycle Hire , Lochmaddy... Lochmaddy 358
Car Hire, MacLennans,Balivanich.........01870602191
Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry....... 01876
500337
Claddach Kirkibost Centre .....01876580390
Grenitote Travel (Bus operator) 01876560244
Lochmaddy Hotel....... 01876
500331
Langass Lodge Hotel...... Locheport
285
Taigh Chearsabhagh.......01876
500293 visit their website
Tourist Office..........01876
500321
Telephone - nearest public call box is approximately 3/4 mile from
the cottage towards the villlage of Sollas .
Uist Community Riding School.....01870604283/602616 visit
their website
Fuel - coal can be purchased from the Co-op in Sollas or from Morison's
shop in Lochmaddy . Peat can occasionally be bought locally .
Petrol - the nearest petrol stations are at Bayhead and Lochmaddy .
RENTS :
APRIL-MAY-OCTOBER...£200 per week
JUNE-SEPTEMBER...£250 per week
JULY-AUGUST...£275 per week
contact donald macaulay at drdmacaulay@hotmail.com