Padraig's Cottage Howbeg

Padraig's Cottage is in Howbeg, on South Uist. It's a detached cottage right by Loch Roag. The main thing is the view from the sun room. You look straight out over the water to the hills. It's very quiet.

The cottage sleeps four in two bedrooms. There's one bathroom. It's a 3 Star place, so it's comfortable and clean but not modern luxury. Everything you need is there. The water comes from a private supply, so it's fine to drink but it has that peaty, soft taste you get here.

Howbeg beach is about half a mile down the track. It's white sand and usually empty. The machair is the strip of grassland behind it, full of flowers in summer. You'll hear corncrakes if you're lucky.

You're a bit out on your own. The nearest shop, pub, or cafe is about ten miles away in Balivanich on Benbecula. That's also where the airport is. You'll want to plan your shopping trips.

From here you can drive north or south on the causeways. North Uist is about half an hour. Lochmaddy has the Taigh Chearsabhagh arts centre and the Uist Outdoor Centre for boat trips. Going south, you can get the ferry from Eriskay to Barra.

The facilities are what you'd expect. Washing machine, TV, WiFi is okay but can be slow. There's parking. The garden is enclosed. Bedding and towels are included. No pets allowed.

Useful links if you're looking into the area: National Trust for Scotland St Kilda and Visit Outer Hebrides.