Day 15: Ardivacha Point, Lochdar, South Uist - Thursday, 12 September 

Weather: 8º - 11º - Sunny with occasional showers 

Accommodation: Hebrides View

We had a long day being tourists on four islands - South Uist, Benbecula, North Uist and Berneray. All these small islands are linked by causeways. 

We left at 9.30am and arrived back at our B&B at 4.45pm. It was a great day mostly taking in the geography of the islands and calling into places of interest. When we started to head back to our B&B we decided that going out to dinner was too much; we were tired. We called into the local Co-Op and bought two Tikka Masala’s which we microwaved and enjoyed in the B&B dining room. 

When we woke we were surprised to see sunshine. During the night the wind blew hard but it was a much more settled morning. The weather is constantly changing but we are getting used to it. We make sure to take our all-weather clothes with us in the car. It seems the afternoons are better with more sunshine and we had a glorious afternoon.

When we set out we didn’t have any firm plans. As we saw places of interest we called in. Henk was keen to have a coffee but cafes seem few and far between. We found Charlie’s Bistro and Bothy in an isolated spot on the Isle of Benbecula but unfortunately they didn’t serve milk coffees or cakes. We chose a hot chocolate and when it arrived we knew our diet would not be improving. 

We were keen to seen any standing stones on the Isle of Benbecula. We came across only one and it stood alone in a not well-trodden field. I loved the fungi growing on it. 

At lunch time we visited the Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Art Centre, Loch Maddy on the Isle of North Uist. We went straight to the cafe and had Leek and Potato Soup with a cheese scone. It hit the spot! There was an unusual exhibition called “Stringlines: unravelling the story of string, people, plants and place.” String in the isles was made from a variety of local materials including heather which was particularly strong.

Our next quest was to see otters and seals. We didn’t see any otters where the signs told us they could be crossing but we did see some large seals bathing in the sun at Backhill, on North Uist. We didn’t want to get too close to them as they were aware of our presence. They were large and it’s estimated that the adults weigh about 100kg. 

We came across two roadside offerings. One a cake box where Henk and I purchased a Dumpling Cake which was very tasty and another a repurposed red telephone box with a range of wares with another another honesty box.

On the way home we passed quite a few sheep on the side of the road and a few hardy ones on the road.

The Canadian guests joined us in the communal lounge room for pre dinner drinks. With a warm fire and a red wine we had a great chat on all manner of topics.

It was early to bed for us after a lovely day touring the islands.