Where to stay on the Isle Of Lewis
Lewis is large, and where you base yourself decides how much of your holiday goes on driving. We’re a Belgian couple who bought Arnisdale House in 2020, after more than 25 years of travelling around Scotland. This is how we would choose.
Stornoway.
The island’s only town, with restaurants, shops, the ferry and the airport. Practical, but you are in a town rather than in the landscape.
Ness and the far north.
Close to the Butt of Lewis lighthouse and Eoropie beach, but a long way from the rest of the island.
Uig and the far west.
Spectacular beaches such as Uig Sands and Mangersta, and the most remote feel on the island.
The west coast around Loch Barvas.
A central position with a quiet, open setting of crofts, still water and Atlantic views. This is where Arnisdale House sits, in the village of Brue (Brù).
Why we chose Brue
From Brue you can reach the main sights as day trips. Eoropie and the Butt of Lewis are about 40minutes away, Stornoway is about 20 minutes away, and the beaches of Uig are 60 minutes away. In the evening you return to a quiet base with almost no traffic.
What to know before you choose.
Brue is quiet, with no nightlife and almost no traffic, but you are not cut off. In Barvas, just 1 mile from the house, you’ll find a small convenience store with everything you need to stock up, a petrol station and a post office. For a bigger shop or a wider choice of restaurants, Stornoway is about 20 minutes away. You will want a car to explore the island, but the basics are close by.
Arnisdale House
A self-catering house for up to 6 guests, with 3 bedrooms, a fully enclosed garden, free private parking and views over Loch Barvas.
