Uig Sands and Bosta – Two West Lewis Beaches
A few hours.
The route
Two lovely beaches on the west coast of Lewis, in the quiet country around Loch Roag.
Bosta is a small, sheltered cove of white shell sand on Great Bernera, and Uig Sands is a vast sweep of tidal sand below the Uig hills, where the Lewis Chessmen were found. Bring a flask and walking shoes.
The day
West Lewis
A small sheltered beach, then a huge open one, with a drive round the lochs between. Low tide gives the most sand at Uig.
About four hours
Bosta Beach
Bosta is at the north end of Great Bernera, reached over the bridge and along a single-track road that winds steeply in places. There's parking above the beach, and a short path leads down to a small, sheltered bay of pale shell sand with clear water and islands across it. Highland cattle graze the common land behind, so keep dogs on a lead. Out on a skerry, a small rocky islet, stands the Time and Tide Bell, rung by the waves at high water. Above the beach is a reconstructed Iron Age house, built where the remains of a village about 1,400 years old were uncovered. It opens with the Bernera Museum in the summer season only, run by the Bernera Community Association, which sets its days. The old walled cemetery by the beach is still in use, so go quietly.
54 min by car
Uig Sands
It's about 54 minutes' drive from Bosta back over the bridge and west to Ardroil. Uig Sands, also called Ardroil Sands, is reached through Ardroil village on the south side of the bay, where a short track leads down to a small car park and toilets. From there the sand runs out across the bay, with the Uig hills behind and a river winding through it to the sea. The Lewis Chessmen were found near here in 1831. Much of the bay is covered at high tide, so check the tide times before you set out across it, and keep an eye on the channels as the water comes back in. In winter the low sun makes it glow.
If it rains
Both beaches are open to the weather with no shelter; in rain keep the walks short. The Iron Age house is indoors but opens in summer only.
Photographs by Debbie Ashby and Lucca T. via Google