Lewis and Harris

James, Davie and I are on holiday in the Western Isles, in a traditional black house in Scaristavore on the Isle of Harris. It's such a beautiful place and is situated on the same farm where we had a holiday in 1999 with the boys when they were tiny.
James and I travelled to Ullapool on Friday and had a walk beside the river in the evening sunshine. Then we had dinner at the Ceilidh Place; I had delicious smoked hake with spinach mash. There was a band called Bluebelly who were playing the blues in the bar area. 

When we arrived on a ridiculously early ferry (the later ones were full by the time I booked it) James and I were the first visitors to Calanais on Saturday morning. It was absolutely amazing to have the stones all to ourselves before treating ourselves to coffee and scones at the visitor centre. It was a beautiful day; warm and sunny, and later we went for a walk on the white sands of Beirigh Beach. After a long day and all of that fresh air we certainly slept well in our little cottage.

We had a bright and breezy walk at Arnol on Sunday with Davie, after collecting him from Stornoway Airport. He likes the cottage and is pleased with his alcove bed in the living room. James and I have a small double bedroom. The walls of the black house are so thick that it is cool indoors whatever the weather, and it has a comfortable but cosy feel.