Croft 5

Discover Unforgettable Places

Find the best places to visit and activities to enjoy around Croft 5 Enaclete with our guide to discovering the beaches, walks, history, photography locations, and day trips on the West Side of Lewis.

Explore Enaclete & Uig

This section focuses on things to do in Uig, Isle of Lewis, that are within approximately 10 miles of Croft 5.

Essentials & Local Businesses

  • Uig Community Shop & Post Office – Approx. 7 miles / 10 minutes by car / 35 minutes by bicycle . A community hub for groceries, fuel, essentials, and local produce.
  • Uig Museum & Cafe – Approx. 7.5 miles / 12 minutes by car / 40 minutes by bicycle. Learn about the Lewis Chessmen and local history, with excellent home baking.

Beaches & Coast

  • Reef Beach – Approx. 7 miles / 17 minutes by car / 45 minutes by bicycle. White sand, turquoise water, and regarded as one of the best beaches on the Isle of Lewis.
  • Cliff Beach – Approx. 6.5 miles / 15 minutes by car / 40 minutes by bicycle. More dramatic and a more rugged feel. Popular with surfers.
  • Mangersta Beach – Approx. 11 miles / 25 minutes by car / 65 minutes by bicycle. Wild Atlantic scenery and powerful waves, popular with photographers and one for geologists.
  • Aird Uig – Approx. 9 miles / 18 minutes by car / 45 minutes by bicycle. A spectacular headland with cliff-top walks and panoramic sea views. Popular with whale watchers and for eagles.

Walking Routes & Outdoor Exploration

  • Aird Uig Coastal Walk – Moderate coastal walking with dramatic cliffs and sea stacks.
  • Reef & Valtos Coastal Walks – Easy beach and low-cliff walks suitable for most abilities.
  • Uig Hills & Viewpoints – Short hill walks offering views over Uig Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

Photography Hotspots

  • Reef Beach at Atlantic storms
  • Aird Uig old RAF base and sea stacks
  • Mangersta’s waves and sunsets
  • Coastal viewpoints around Enaclete and Valtos

History & Points of Interest

  • Callanish IV (Callanish 4) – Approx. 6 miles / 12 minutes by car / 50 minutes by bicycle. A quieter, atmospheric stone circle within Uig.

Getting Around Uig

Bus:Please note that there are no buses on Sunday, or in the evenings/nights. A full timetable can be found here (route W4 Uig) so you can plan your journey. The bus can be asked to stop at Enaclete.

Car: Easiest option; a mix if dual and single-track roads with passing places.

Cycling: Suitable for cyclists with relatively quiet roads, but may be challenging with exposure to wind.

Venture Beyond Uig

These attractions are within 30 minutes (by car) of Enaclete.

Villages & Local Stops

  • Carloway Shop – Approx. 19 miles / 30 minutes by car / 1 hour 40 minutes by bicycle. Handy stop for supplies when exploring the west side of Lewis.

History & Heritage

  • Gearrannan Blackhouse Village – Approx. 21 miles / 35 minutes by car / 1 hour 45 minutes by bicycle. A restored traditional village showing historic island life.
  • Callanish Stone Circle & Visitor Centre – Approx. 13 miles / 20 minutes by car / 1 hour 20 minutes by bicycle. One of Scotland’s most famous prehistoric sites.
  • Dun Carloway Broch – Approx. 9 miles / 20 minutes by car / 1 hour 20 minutes by bicycle. A well-preserved Iron Age broch with elevated views.

Beaches & Coastal Spots (Great Bernera to Carloway)

Getting There

Cycling: A scenic but hilly ride, best in settled weather. It is possible for experienced cyclists to make this a return trip in one day.

Car: Best option for combining multiple sites in one trip, or extending some of the Uig sites with those further afield as part of a day trip.

Bus: Please note that there are no buses on Sunday. A full timetable can be found here (route W2 Westside Circular) so you can plan your journey. The W4 (Uig) service can be connected with the W2 (Westside) service at the Garynahine Bus Shelter at the B8011 / A858 junction.

Explore The West & Far North of Lewis

These highlights are popular as part of a full-day scenic drive north from Enaclete to the Butt of Lewis. These could be visited in combination with the above recommendations, or as a separate day trip.

The Far North

  • Butt of Lewis Lighthouse – Approx. 45 miles / 1 hour 10 minutes by car / 5 hours by bicycle. Iconic lighthouse, dramatic cliffs, seabirds, and powerful Atlantic seas.
  • Port of Ness – Approx. 43 miles / 65 minutes by car / 5 hours by bicycle. A small, interesting harbour with the entrance through a rocky cliff face and rocky islet, with cafes and coastal walks.

Along the Way

  • Eoropie Beach & Dunes – Wide sandy beach near the northern tip of Lewis.
  • Dal Beag Beach – Dail Beag is one of the most picturesque beaches in Lewis and provides great photographic opportunities, especially at sunset.

Wildlife & Nature

  • Seabird colonies along northern cliffs
  • Occasional dolphin and whale sightings

Travel Tips

Cycling: Possible for experienced cyclists; long distance with exposure to wind. This would not be viable as a return trip so best served as onward travel towards the North of Lewis.

Car: Strongly recommended for flexibility and stopping at viewpoints and makes exploring the West side and North of Lewis an interesting day trip.

Bus: There are no services that would make this a viable option for a day trip.

Further Information

There is so much to see on the West Side of Lewis and Uig. The above is a taster of what you can find, but we recommend that you spend plenty of time exploring the area. Please also make time to stop at the many art galleries and honesty boxes that are found across the island.

Further information can be found at:

Visit Scotland

Visit Outer Hebrides

Tourist Information Stornoway

Of course, you can always contact us with any questions or advice.