News - Low cost travel helps holidays to the Outer Hebrides - From 19 October 2008 the Scottish Government has introduced a 30 month pilot scheme of reduced ferry fares to and from the Outer Hebrides, which reduces costs by up to 50%. A car and 2 adults now costs £106.00 return from Ullapool to Stornoway and £67.40 return from Uig to Tarbert.  

Shiantview is a 4 Star Visit Scotland rated self catering holiday cottage offering families and couples a very comfortable and peaceful stay in tranquil surroundings.

The village of Orinsay is situated on the South East coast of Lewis with magnificent sea views over-looking Loch Shell, the Shiant Isles and across the Minch to the Isle of Skye and mainland Scotland.

It is the ideal place to ‘chill out’ and get away from it all. This is a good base for exploring both Lewis and Harris and is situated in a peaceful village. The area is one of outstanding natural beauty with numerous lochs, mountains and sea views. The cottage is well placed for guests with a variety of pursuits in mind, whether into hillwalking, trout and sea fishing or bird watching. Kayakers and canoeists are most welcome and frequently find the sheltered and crystal clear waters of the Minch ideal for this sport.  

The Isle of Lewis is at the North West corner of the group of Islands known as the Hebrides or Western Isles. It stretches for 100 miles and is generally known as the ‘long island’. Lewis is steeped in history and culture, ranging back thousands of years. Stornoway is the main port and was named ‘Steering Bay’ by visiting Vikings in past centuries. The island’s diverse habitats are home to an assortment of flora and fauna, such as the golden and sea eagles, corn crakes, red deer, otters and seals.

Many seabirds inhabit the coastal areas of Lewis including kittiwakes, guillemots, shag, gannets, fulmars, oyster catchers and curlews to name but a few. On coastal cliffs we find merlins and numerous buzzards.

Salmon frequent many Lewis rivers after crossing the Atlantic. There are dozens of brown trout lochs nearby, most of which can be fished free of charge. Permits for salmon and trout fishing can be obtained on request. Offshore, it is common to see seals, dolphins, porpoises and basking sharks. On land are red deer, mink and otter amongst other mammals.

Different species of orchid and various grasses are to be found on the machair. The Island is commonly called ‘Eilean an Fhraoich, after the large expanse of heather-covered moorland.

For golfing enthusiasts there are Golf Courses both in Stornoway (18 Holes) and also Scarista in the Isle of Harris (9 Hole).