Airebroc - a self-catering holiday home set in some of the most lovely scenery in the Western Isles

Looking out over the hills surrounding Uig Sands, Airebroc is a stone-built croft house at the edge of Uig Sands, one of the most beautiful beaches to be found in the Outer Hebrides. TripAdvisor reviews of Uig Sands say:

'This was one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. The beach is something else, but all of the surrounding areas are fabulous as well - the cliffs, the water, mountains. Truly amazing. '

'A huge golden beach, fringed by mysterious, dark mountains. '

'as remote as any place can as good'

The village of Crowlista is in a remote location and it is easy to feel you have ‘really got away from it all’. Nevertheless, there is an excellent shop for groceries a mile away at Timsgarry, and there is a community centre which hosts ceilidh dances and dinners at which visitors are warmly welcomed. It also houses a local history museum and a cafe which provides homemade soups and home-baked cakes throughout the day. There are also three other restaurants within 3 miles.

Airebroc has lots of comfortable sofas where you can enjoy the view, or relax and unwind in front of the fire after a day on the beach or walking in the hills. It is furnished in a traditional style retaining the old wood-panelled walls, and an open fire and morso squirrel stove, whilst also providing all modern comforts, with ensuite bathrooms and plenty of hot water from a newly installed central heating system.

Ground floor

• Kitchen fully equipped with Britannia range cooker (gas hob, 2 electric ovens), microwave, fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, and dining table that seats 8
• Living Room with traditional open fireplace, Freeview TV and DVD/Bluray player, HiFi with Ipod dock, 3 sofas to seat 8
• Study with piano, games cupboard, Morso Squirrel stove, and desk overlooking bay with large screen chromebox for internet browsing available for visitors
• Sun Room seating for 8, with stunning views of the bay and beach. Light, warm, peaceful - ideal for reading, talking, relaxing
• Single bedroom (with WC and basin next door)
• WC and hand basin next to bedroom
• entrance lobby with coat and boot storage area

First floor
• Front double bedroom with ensuite basin, corner bath and WC. Views east to Uig Sands, Uig Lodge, Suainaval and other mountains.
• Front double bedroom (with additional single bed) with ensuite basin and WC. Views to Forsnaval and Traighe nan Sruba (Cockle Bay)
• Back double bedroom (with additional single bed), next to main bathroom. Some of the best views in the house: the Atlantic, and the Uig mountains.
• Family bathroom with bath/shower, basin and WC.

Facilities
• Britannia Range Cooker with gas hob and 2 electric ovens
• microwave, fridge and freezer, kettle, toaster
• full supply of crockery, cutlery and glasses, the kitchen is well equipped with utensils, blenders etc.
• new A* efficient oil-fired central heating and ample hotwater supply
• TV with freeview channels, Blue Ray DVD player
• wi-fi / broadband works throughout the house and EE and T-mobile have good reception
• radio with CD player and sound system
• bed linen, towels and soap provided
• Cot and high chair available
• Local maps, guide and history books
• Weber Barbecue

Garden

In front of the house there is a terrace where the barbeque can be used, and two large flower beds, and a lawn, with two stone lintel seats and a bench overlooking the bay. From the lawn a grassy path leads down to front gate, from where it is only a 200m walk to the beach.

At the back of the house, the kitchen looks across to the meadows behind the house out on to the Atlantic, and to the byre which used to house the cattle and sheep kept on the croft, but which has now been modernised. There is a gravel drive, and plenty of parking space on the drive and next to the road.

Local Activities

Walking - fabulous views from local mountains, huge Uig Sands in front of house to explore, dramatic coastal walk behind the house to lochs and iron age settlement remains,
Swimming - in the sea, or under the bridge on far side of bay at low tide - can be quite warm in summer.
Fishing- trout fishing in local lochs is free. Stornoway angling societies provide lessons.
Birdwatching – gannets, fulmars, sea eagles, and migrating waders on the beach
Sailing - slipways at Miabhaig and Valtos to explore the extensive sheltered waters of Loch Roag
Boat trips - Seatrek, based at Miabhaig for day trips to offshore islands such as Pabbay and Scarp, and further to St Kilda
Kite surfing and kite buggying on Uig Sands
Restaurants - Auberge Carnish, The Old School House, Baille na Cille Hotel
Whisky distillery at Ardroil
Erista museum and cafe – a mile away, providing excellent lunches, homemade soup and cakes

Pets
No pets allowed.

What is included in your stay

electricity and oil
coal for open fire and Morso Squirrel stove, kindling and peat
linen
soap and towels
welcome hamper
kitchen and bathroom staple supplies
broadband internet access

Rates: £590 to £990 per week depending on season and number of guests.
Suitable for 7 people (can sleep 10 if additional single beds and sofabed used for additional charge of £6per person per night)
Children are welcome.
No smoking. Sorry, no pets.
Off street parking.
Wi-Fi/internet access.

Travel

Flights to Stornoway
The nearest airport is just outside Stornoway, about an hour's drive from Crowlista. Several airlines offer routes from the Scottish mainland to Stornoway Airport:

Flybe recently started providing connection flights through to Stornoway from Gatwick, taking about 3 / 4 hours in all.
British Airways fly between Stornoway and Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh

Easyjet fly from Luton and Gatwick to Inverness, flights are generally cheap and arrive in time to either connect with Flybe flight to Stornoway or get the bus from Inverness to catch the afternoon ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, from where one can pick up a hired car.

By ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne (phone 0800 066 5000) run two ferry routes to the Scottish mainland, from Stornoway (Lewis) to Ullapool and from Tarbert (Harris) to Uig (Skye)