Wednesday 14 May: Whisky and Lewis

 We start the day with another exhilarating swim. I could get used to this. We pack up and drive into Tarbert where we visit the Isle of Harris Distillery for a whisky tour. It’s quite early to start drinking but we can take away in little bottles and Simon is driving! It’s a very interesting insight into the whisky making process, the investment required and the challenges for a small island community in the current financially uncertain climate. Although early in its evolution it takes pretty damn good to me! We then drive over the bridge to little Scalpay where Izzie and Luke stayed. We have a bowl of fish soup in a bistro overlooking the small harbour before heading north through Harris and into Lewis and eventually eastwards to Uig. The scenery gets more wild and rugged as we leave the main road.  We’d reserved a slot at Ardroil Sands campsite thinking that we could cycle to the Uig Sands Restaurant that has been recommended to us. The campsite is just a car park however so we turn around and make our way to Reef Bay where there is an amazing site in the dunes. It’s all a bit chaotic and we’re not sure if there is space but eventually we negotiate one night overlooking the sea and we’ll have to move tomorrow. Another glorious white beach! We decide we can’t cycle and it’s only a 13 minute drive along quiet roads to the restaurant. It’s certainly in the most dramatic setting with superb views but as the sun is blazing in we’re actually a bit too hot to really enjoy it. It’s also one of the most expensive meals we’ve ever had but probably not the best. It’s a lovely evening however and it’s good to support the community! Back to cool down in the van overlooking the bay. 










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