Lionacleit is an ideally placed base in the Western Isles of Scotland from which to discover the numerous attractions of Benbecula, North and South Uist and the many other smaller connected islands.

                                                 We offer accommodation to suit both short term business travellers and holiday makers as well as those wishing to stay for longer periods using our central location to explore the Uists.

Further information regarding accommodation can be found via the link to the left.

The famous white   beaches of the Uists are made up of crushed seashells. The sand from these beaches has been blown inland to create the lime-rich coastal plain or machair that plays a vital role in the traditional agriculture of the islands. In addition to superb rugged coastlines on the east side of the islands, the unspoilt Atlantic west coast beaches have a timeless quality  . . .

The 'machair' (sandy grasslands) also on the west coast are unique in the world. The flora and fauna combined with the ornithology of the area is a naturalists paradise.  The Western Isles, Harris, the Uists and Barra in particular, are famous for this globally rare habitat which is otherwise found only in Shetland, Orkney and the West coast of Ireland. Machair has been described as ‘the white sandy beaches against the backdrop of green pastures, flowers and fields of corn’. In the Uists in particular, generations of traditional crofters have helped create the high conservation interest of the machair. The work that crofters do on the land - cultivation of crops, collecting and spreading seaweed, cattle grazing and so on - has at the same time created the famously attractive and colourful flora and excellent habitats for many species of uncommon wild birds and insects.

Not only are birds such as lapwings, redshank, oystercatcher, snipe and corn buntings to be found here in abundance, but around a quarter to a third of all of Britain’s breeding dunlin and ringed plover occur on the machair, nesting at the highest densities recorded anywhere in the world. The corncrake, one of Europe’s most vulnerable birds which has disappeared from almost everywhere within the British Isles except the Scottish islands, has shown a modest recovery in numbers in some parts of the Western Isles. Its call is still a familiar sound on many crofts in the summer.

All these habitats and wildlife are within easy reach from Lionacleit.

You can get to the hills of South Uist in 20 minutes, a rocky sea inlet in 15, a beach in 10, a fishing loch in 5 and there is a moorland walk right outside your door . . .

Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, riding, surfing, fishing or wildlife activities, or whether you are interested in geneaology or archaeology you will find plenty to do during your stay with us, even if it is simply relaxing in a peacefull location.

The Western Isles provide a wide range of interests and pursuits for visitors, whether it be geneology, tracing ancestors who left the islands willingly or otherwise, or history (serious and not so serious) which is here in abundance, from ancient times through the clans’ rise and fall, to Bonnie Prince Charlie, and more recently the SS Politician. 

Mr & Mrs Rattray, Wayford Herts
- Good food and good company.  Excellent accommodation and plenty of birds and wildlife – seen from the breakfast table!

Bryonie Brody, Banchory
- A welcome refuge for a batch of hungry tired cyclists

Jennifer Tait, Glasgow
- Really appreciated the friendly welcome and the local food.  Easy place to ‘switch off’, relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

Susanne Gehrling, Frankfurt, Germany
- Thanks for the warm welcome, we very much enjoyed our stay here! and the brilliant breakfast!

Faye Smith & Shirley Lawson, Stanhope P.E.I, Canada
- Absolutely wonderful! Delicious food, super friendly hosts.  Loved it!  Hate to leave this beautiful place.