Discover Uig

Uig is a place where the land shapes you as much as you shape it.

Càirdeas tro Bheatha, Cànan agus Àrainneachd

Connected by Life, Language and Landscape

Uig, on the wild Atlantic edge of Lewis, is a landscape of wide skies, deep heritage and strong community spirit, where crofting, creativity and a shared connection to land and sea shape a uniquely resilient way of life.

Tha Ùige, air oir fiadhaich a’ Chuain Siar ann an Leòdhais, le cruth-tìre de speuran farsaing, dualchas domhainn agus spiorad làidir coimhearsnachd, far a bheil croitearachd, cruthachalachd agus ceangal co-roinnte ri tìr is muir a’ cruthachadh dòigh-beatha a tha gun mòran shamhail agus a tha seasmhach.

Uig has always looked out to Hiort | St Kilda and has long been linked to the islands by the Atlantic sea route west of the Hebrides. For centuries, trading boats, fishing vessels and fowling parties from Uig visited the offshore islands and helped to connect them with the outside world.

The proposed cliff-top site, above the Geodha Sgoilt near Mangurstadh, offers stunning views of the Atlantic seascape, with St Kilda lying some 40 miles to the south-west and majestically visible under clear conditions. To the north-west, lie the Flannan Isles, with their own mysteries and traditions.

Behind the Geodha Sgoilt, tower the Uig hills with Mealaisbhal (1885’) the highest in the range. The villages of Mangurstadh, Islibhig and Breanais follow the coastline, sloping gently towards Mealista – site of an ancient nunnery – where the road ends. Traditionally, the hills were used by these crofting villages to summer the cattle.

The prevailing atmosphere is one of tranquility, with human activity occurring within a vast area of unspoiled natural beauty and interest. Until late into the 20th century, crofters knew every corner of this terrain, the gullys, the boglands and their dangers; they knew the exact location of the stone sequences laid by preceding generations to mark routes through the hills.

Mangurstadh

Bha Uig a-riamh a’ coimhead a-mach gu Hiort agus ceangailte ris o shean tron t-slighe mhara san Atlantaig, an iar air Innse Gall. Tro na linntean, bha bàtaichean malairt, eathraichean iasgaich is sgiobaidhean eunaich à Ùig a’ tadhal air na h-eileanan mara, gan ceangal ris an t-saoghal a-muigh.

Tha seallaidhean mìorbhaileach a-mach thar a’ Chuan Shiar bhon làrach air bàrr nan creag, aig a’ Gheodha Sgoilt faisg air Mangurstadh, a thathas a’ moladh airson an Ionaid. Tha Hiort na laighe mu 40 mìle chun iar-dheas agus a’ nochdadh gu h-eireachdail air fàire ann an aimsir shoilleir. Chun iar-thuath, tha na h-Eileanan Flannach, le an dìomhaireachd is an dualchas fhèin.

Tha beanntan Ùig ag èirigh suas air an taobh eile, le Mealasbhal (1885’) a’ bheinn is àirde den t-sreath, a-mach bho chùl na Geodha Sgoilt. Tha trì bailtean, Mangurstadh, Islibhig agus Brèidhnis a’ leantainn a’ chladaich, a tha a’dol sìos gu socair gu Mealastadh – làrach seann taigh-cràbhaidh – far a bheil an rathad a’ tighinn gu ceann. Tro na linntean, bha croitearan nam bailtean sin a’cleachdadh nam beann mar ionaltradh samhraidh a’ chruidh.

Tha an t-àile ciùin, le gnìomhachd dhaoine a’gabhail àite an àrainn fharsaing de bhòidhchead nàdarra, gun truailleadh. Suas gu deireadh na 20mh linn, bha na croitearan mion-eòlach air a h-uile oisean den talamh, na gilean, na boglaichean agus na cunnartan co-chean- gailte riutha agus bha lorg aca air na sreathan chlachan leis na chomharraich na ginealaich romhpa na slighean tro na beanntan.

Rocky coastline with tall jagged rocks protruding from the ocean, waves crashing against the rocks, and a distant view of cliffs under a blue sky.

A sandy beach with tall grass in the foreground, blue ocean waves, and hills in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Ruins of an ancient stone structure in a grassy landscape surrounded by mountains under cloudy sky.

Scenic view of a winding country road leading to a white house surrounded by green grassy hills and mountains under a cloudy sky.

Rocky coastal landscape with a tall, jagged rock formation protruding from the turquoise water, surrounded by smaller rocks and green moss-covered cliffs under an overcast sky.

Rugged sea stack formations along a rocky shoreline under a partly cloudy sky.

A field of wildflowers illuminated by golden sunlight, with various small flowers in shades of white, yellow, and pink.

Rough ocean waves crashing against jagged rocks along a cliff coast, with large cliffs in the background under a cloudy sky.

A coastal landscape featuring a beach, rolling hills, and small houses with colorful roofs under a partly cloudy sky.

Snow-covered landscape with a stone wall in the foreground, a body of water, and snow-capped mountains in the background.

Coastal landscape with rocky cliffs, rolling waves, and grassy terrain under a partly cloudy sky.

A sheep standing on green grass in front of a stone wall, with rolling hills and mountains in the background under a blue sky.

A rugged coastline with large rocks and crashing waves, under a cloudy sky with a hint of sunlight.

Overcast day at a secluded beach with white sand, rocky cliffs and green grassy hills surrounding the shoreline, with the ocean on the right.

Northern lights in the night sky over a dark landscape.

A stone wall beside a paved pathway in a grassy hilly landscape with mountains in the distance and a cloudy sky.

A small stone bridge with three arched openings over a flowing stream in a hilly landscape with rocky terrain and sparse grass.

A large rocky mountain in the background with sparse brown terrain and patches of snow in the foreground.

A plaque mounted on a rock wall with the inscription, 'Temple Mhialastaigh. A temple to St. Catan. Its foundations can be seen beside the old graveyard, 200 yards to the north.'

A scenic landscape of rolling grassy hills, a winding road, a body of water, mountains in the distance, and a partly cloudy blue sky with sunlight.

Bronze bust of a historical figure with long hair and a beard wearing a helmet, mounted on a stone pedestal with an informational plaque, outdoors with a chain-link fence and mountains in the background.

Wooden statue of a man wearing a helmet and holding a sword, standing outside next to a building with a window and a whiteboard.

A rocky mountain with sparse vegetation under a partly cloudy sky, with a grassy plain in the foreground.

A stone memorial with a mural of the Union Jack flag in a rural, mountainous landscape with rolling hills and a cloudy sky.

Rugged mountain landscape with rocky slopes and patches of grass, featuring an old stone structure or wall and a small cross-like monument.

A scenic view of the ocean with waves crashing on the sandy beach, and rocky hills in the distance under a partly cloudy blue sky.

A rocky beach with numerous smooth, rounded stones of various sizes and shades of gray, with a stone wall in the background and a cloudy sky.

Scenic view of an open landscape with ancient stone ruins surrounded by grassy hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Sunset view of a stone monument with two upright stones and a horizontal stone balancing on top, located near a body of water with mountains in the distance.

Scenic landscape with stone ruins, grassy fields, a sandy beach, hills, and a mountain under a partly cloudy sky. Uig, Isle of Lewis

A landscape of a grassy field with small bodies of water, scattered rocks, and distant mountains under a clear blue sky, with two birds flying overhead. Uig, Isle of Lewis

Close-up of a horse's nose and mouth with reddish-brown mane and wet nose, bits of grass near the mouth.

Silhouette of a landscape with a standing stone structure against a dramatic sky with clouds and sunlight. Uig, Isle of Lewis

Stone wall and a simple stone sculpture in a mountain landscape with cloudy sky and distant hills.

Scenic coastal landscape with rocky green hills, sandy beach, and calm blue waters under a partly cloudy sky.

Community Life

At the heart of Uig is its vibrant community. The Uig Community Centre brings people together for everything from ceilidhs and concerts to yoga classes and community meetings. Nearby, the community shop (a’bhùth) and post office provide a daily meeting place, offering essentials, local produce and warm conversation in equal measure.

The community is forward-looking, with local groups exploring sustainable energy, new housing and opportunities that help keep this corner of Lewis thriving for future generations.

Aig cridhe Ùig tha coimhearsnachd bheothail. Tha an t-Ionaid Coimhearsnachd ann an Eiresteadh a’ toirt daoine còmhla airson a h-uile càil bho chèilidhean is chuirmean gu clasaichean yoga agus coinneamhan coimhearsnachd. Faisg air làimh, tha a’ bhùth choimhearsnachd agus oifis a’ phuist, àite coinneachaidh làitheil, a’ tabhach biadh agus rudan a tha feumail dhan an dachaigh, toraidhean ionadail agus còmhradh blàth aig an aon àm.

Tha a’ choimhearsnachd a’ coimhead air adhart, le buidhnean ionadail a’ sgrùdadh cumhachd seasmhach, taigheadas ùr agus cothroman a chuidicheas le bhith a’ cumail an cheàrnaidh seo de Leòdhas soirbheachail airson nan ginealaichean ri teachd.

A young boy with curly blonde hair, wearing yellow boots, a red jacket, and blue shorts, sitting on concrete steps feeding milk to a black and white goat and surrounded by five small goats, some marked with colored paint.

Three children on a boat, with water and land in the background. The child in the middle is giving a thumbs-up, and the children on either side are smiling or looking surprised.

Two elderly men leaning on a metal fence, engaging with a small animal in a rural, hilly field with grass and sheep in the background.

A man in a blue and red life jacket, standing on a boat, holding a fishing rod with a large fish caught on the line. He is smiling, with a scenic water and hilly landscape in the background.

A man in a yellow safety vest standing next to a fabric quilting machine inside a white tent, with a toolbox on the floor in front of him.

People, including children, working in a grassy field with hay bales, surrounded by green hills and a partly cloudy sky.

People shearing sheep on a grassy field with overcast sky.

Two young men standing in front of a green garage door, smiling; the man on the right is holding a brown Dachshund puppy.

A person wearing safety ear protection and glasses is working on a woodworking project in a workshop.

People browsing and shopping at a Christmas craft fair with decorated tables, holiday decorations, and a Christmas tree in the venue.

An elderly man with gray hair and beard leaning with his right shoulder against a wall, smiling while looking at the camera. He is wearing a blue checkered shirt and dark pants, with his left hand in his pocket.

A black and white calf standing on a rocky, grassy landscape near the coast with the ocean and islands in the background under a cloudy sky.

Close-up of a field of wildflowers with purple and yellow blooms, soft focus and warm lighting.

Did You Know?

St Kilda is visible from Uig on exceptionally clear days.
The Lewis Chessmen were found in Uig in 1831.
Mealaisbhal, the highest hill on the Isle of Lewis, offers one of the most expansive viewpoints on the whole island.
Golden and sea eagles are regular visitors to the hills and coast.
Uig’s coastline is home to some of Lewis’ most iconic beaches including Reef, Valtos and Mangersta.
The area has been inhabited for thousands of years, with archaeological traces from Neolithic to Norse.
In summer, Uig’s machair bursts into colour, with some of the most diverse wildflowers in Scotland.