Uig Sands on the Isle of Lewis
Before we travelled to The Outer Hebrides, I searched for a special occasion restaurant where we could celebrate Chris’s 50th in style. I didn’t worry about location, as decided I would drive across Lewis and Harris for the right place. So imagine my surprise when I discovered and booked Uig Sands, only to discover we could see it across the bay from where we are staying in Crowlista. We could probably walk there if the tide was low!
Based on the research I had done, plus recommendations and photos , I had high hopes for Uig Sands - always a risky starting point. But I’m pleased to say that it surpassed my expectations.
Turning off the main road and winding down a long track, we pulled up to an unassuming wooden exterior. “Is this it?” asked 7-year-old Archie, slightly underwhelmed after I’d banged on about the place so much. “Just wait”, I replied. Sure enough, we were all blown away when we stepped into the sun-filled space. The floor to ceiling windows allow you to look out onto the magnificent Uig Bay and beyond, and in fact you feel like you are in the landscape rather than just an observer. I can’t think of a restaurant I’ve been to with a more impressive view.
We arrived at 5.30pm because that’s how we roll now we have little people. This antisocial time means we’re often the only people in a restaurant, but Uig Sands was already busy and buzzing. The atmosphere was lovely - it is special and smart without being stuffy. There were lots of families, but plenty of couples too. The restaurant seats 40 people, and the decor is modern and stylish. I especially loved the linen napkins, the Isle of Harris gin bottles for water and the on-brand blue geometric chairs. I think some of the diners were staying there, as there are four luxury rooms a short walk from the restaurant (think super-king beds, log burners, private patios and that view).
At the time of booking, I had to notify them about my son’s nut allergy. I received a phone call back explaining that because they are a small kitchen and they use a lot of nuts, they can’t guarantee there’s no cross contamination. Rather than cancelling our booking, they were good enough to let me bring my own food for Joe, and they were very diligent in listing ingredients and checking whether we wanted alternatives.
Archie, very much a mini Adventurous Glutton, got to enjoy what must be the best kids’ menu we’ve ever seen. It was certainly his first experience of pre-starters and palate cleansers, and let’s just say he was a big fan! He’s still raving about the honeyed carrot soup with homemade sourdough that he chose for his starter.
The Head Chef is Seumas Macdonald, who lives locally in Aird Uig. He uses as much fresh and local produce as he can, with a focus on fish and shellfish. It’s a fixed price menu at £75 per person (£35 for kids). For such a memorable meal, it is worth the price tag. There was a choice of four starters, mains and desserts, and it was the type of menu where I could have happily chosen any of it - it all sounded gorgeous. This is what I opted for:
Pre-starter: Homemade sourdough and romesco, coronation crab poppadom
Starter: Hebridean seafood chowder, sourdough, seaweed butter
Palate cleanser: Rhubarb granita, yoghurt foam
Main: Grilled cod fillet, roast potatoes, corn puree, Southern fried squid, chicken butter sauce
Dessert: Lemon tart, brown butter ice cream, pistachio and sesame brittle
I’m happy to report that everything was as good as it sounds and there wasn’t a weak course. The combination of flavours and textures was on point, with everything cooked to perfection. The produce was of a high quality, especially the succulent hand-dived local scallops. This is creative, fun cooking at its best, clearly backed by classical know-how.
With the combination of incredible setting, buzzy atmosphere, brilliant and friendly service and flawless food, we enjoyed such a memorable evening at Uig Sands. In fact, I think it will be hard for other places to beat!
Uig Sands Restaurant, Timsgarry, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9ET
uigsands.co.uk
