We loved this fabulous rental cottage situated in the small village of Aird Uig, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis. It has been furnished to a very high standard and is immaculately maintained. You also have a stunning view from the back of the property down to a nearby cove that feels like your own as it's so close by. Three of us recently stayed 8 nights and we couldn't have asked for a better place to stay and use as our base to explore the both the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris.
The booking process with Maureen (the owner) was incredibly easy as she was so unbelievably friendly and accommodating. Any questions or requests we had were answered quickly and she gave us lots of advice and tips too as first time visitors to the Outer Hebrides.
This old croft cottage has been really well renovated with a very homely feel and everything you could need has been supplied, which is exceptional from a self-catering rental. Maps and leaflets about local attractions, artists and places to eat were provided as well as picnic equipment for days out. Board-games, Wi-Fi, a DVD player and wood-burner keep you occupied and warm if the weather takes a turn for the worse. The large kitchen diner is incredibly well stocked, so much so we enjoyed doing some home-baking. All you need to bring with you is your walking equipment, camera, clothing and food, even then we were pleasantly surprised with a welcoming gift of wine and shortbread. The bedrooms are all a good size with comfortable beds and lots of storage and decorated with real taste, highlighting the islands most famous export Harris Tweed.
The local area is interesting too as nearby is an abandoned RAF base up at Gallen Head which looks out over the sea for stunning sunsets. The local community have purchased the land and are now in the process of regenerating the area. We found out a new community cafe is opening up soon and there are future plans to install a hydroscope to listen to marine life.
I highly recommend this property if you want somewhere to enjoy peaceful evenings under the stars (and if you are lucky the Northern Lights) with a hot cup of tea and home-made bread and butter pudding. If you are willing to put a little effort into driving you are rewarded with a gem of a holiday rental that is within easy driving distance of some stunning beaches; wild, rugged landscapes and serene, picturesque Lochs. Nature and wildlife are on your door-step and as city-dwellers we made the most of every opportunity to be outdoors whenever the weather permitted. Then we always returned to the cottage tired but happy from the ample fresh air and exploring we did, ready to spend a comfortable evening chatting, reviewing photos and cooking.
I would happily stay at 5 Aird Uig again and recommend it to all like-minded travellers looking for a similar experience. For my friends and myself it really was like "hame fae hame".
Liked best:
really comfortable and well equipped
Liked least:
sticky locks, but ok once you get the knack of them.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.