Uig

The area lies to the south west corner of the Isle of Lewis. The area is known for its amazing vast strand of shell beach and the site where the Lewis Chessmen were discovered.

The Chessmen were thought to be the product of the vikings and indeed, the name of the area probably comes from the Norse word 'Vik'.

Another discovery was the largest sapphire found in the UK, a whopping 242 carat gem.

The village of has a community shop, school, museum, salmon smokery, accommodation and a very good restaurant. The shop sells fuel and gas as well as drinks and general goods. Not open on a Sunday.

The village is the ancestral seat of the Clan MacAulay

Just to the south of the village is a new distillery and also the village of Meavaig.

To the north of Uig is Valtos, Cliff, Kneep and Reef and Uigen with their own beaches and community , run by the Bhaltos (Valtos) Community Trust.

To the west of is the small village of Aird Uig and Gallan Head. This area is the site of an old military camp and many of the buildings have been converted. One building, at the top of the village has a very nice cafe.

A nice walk from the cafe to the top of the radar station, with good views all around,

Facilities in the village are quite good. and there is a campsite on the opposite side of the bay to the shop, with toilet and water. This site is close to the beach and also in range of walking the hills, one of which is Mealasbhal (574 m or 1,883 ft). as well as other high points.

Just back towards Storoway from the village is also home to the sea trips of Seatrek , taking excursions both locally and to St Kilda