Mangersta Croft Holidays

During the summer the Hebridean days are long, not quite the land of midnight sun but almost. In spring and autumn, watch the sunset and the Milky Way and shooting stars appear in the night sky, to the sound of the sea and birds calling. Keep your fingers crossed and you might be lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis (autumn and winter are the best times).

Crofting is small scale, sustainable agriculture unique to the Highlands and islands of Scotland, which works with nature encouraging a rich biodiversity of wild flowers, birds and wildlife. Sea eagles and golden eagles are regularly seen in Mangersta, as are croft land birds such as Golden Plover, Snipe, Skylarks and Lapwing.

Within the local Uig area there are endless shell sand beaches and turquoise seas to paddle, swim, snorkel, surf and kayak from the vast expanse of Uig Sands to tiny secret coves. Take a bike ride and explore this National Scenic Area.

Families can enjoy getting close to nature, searching in rock pools, building sand castles, flying kites and exploring sea caves. Don't leave your pet at home, dogs will love the beaches every bit as much as their owners!

Uig Community Centre Café, The Edge Café, Loch Croistean Coffee Shop, The Scallop Shack and Uig Sands Restaurant are great options for eating out in the local area where you can sample fresh local produce and delicious seafood.

Or why not try catching your own dinner to cook at the camp fire? There are numerous lochs suitable for trout fishing, plus prime spots for beach casting and sea fishing from rocky promontories.

If you would like to get out on a boat to fish, forage or even pull up a lobster creel, Isle of Lewis based company Fish'n'Trips Hebrides come highly recommended by previous guests.

The Outer Hebrides are a walker's and landscape photographer's paradise. The Uig Hills are the highest on the Isle of Lewis and make for rugged climbs rewarded with panoramic ocean views. Coastal walks are unsurpassable, particularly around the spectacular sea cliffs and sea stacks which surround Mangersta.

The closest visitor attraction is onsite. Mangurstadh Gallery displays landscape photography, oil paintings and pastels inspired by the Hebrides. The Mangersta Bothy is a 15 minute walk across the croft fields to the ocean, where this tiny stone dwelling perches on the cliff edge.

Uig Museum is a ten minute drive and a treasure trove of information on island life and history. A 19 minute drive away is Miabhig Pier where Seatrek departs on boat trips around the Uig coast and to the Islands of St Kilda. A great choice if you want to get up close with marine life, visit offshore islands and the stunning Hebridean coastline.

The Isles of Lewis and Harris are actually one land mass, making day trips to other island attractions such as the famed Luskentrye beach, the Isle of Harris Distillery and the medieval St Clement's Church perfectly feasible by car.

Stornoway, the only town in the Outer Hebrides is a one hour drive. Here there are two large supermarkets, numerous shops, pubs and restaurants, a sports centre with a swimming pool and soft play area.

The multi-award winning An Lanntair Arts Centre hosts regular performing arts events, traditional Scottish music, contemporary art exhibitions, cinema screenings and children's arts activities. Lews Castle Museum is home to several of the Lewis Chessmen, one of the most significant archaeological finds in the UK.

Don't miss the Harris Tweed Authority Story Room, the Harris Tweed Hebrides Shop and Rarebird if you want to learn more about, and purchase, the islands' famous cloth.

The drive up the west side of Lewis makes an interesting day out. Top tips on this route are The Iron Age House at Bostadh beach, the Callinish Stones - one of the largest prehistoric ritual landscapes in the UK and Dun Carloway, an incredibly well preserved broch.

You'll also spot the Norse Mill and Kiln in Shawbost and the wonderful Arnol Blackhouse Museum.