Newton lodge is a grade 2 listed former hunting lodge which was built around 1880. It was turned into Newton House Hotel by Mrs Martin in the 1950's before being turned back into a private residence by Roger Wake in 1972. It is currently owned by his daughter.
- Two double and three twin bedrooms.
- There are also two attic rooms with three beds in each.
- One on-suite and two other bathrooms.
- Well equipped Kitchen with six door aga, dishwasher and table that seats 8
- Dining room (seats 16) with view of the sunset
- Large storage larder with extra fridge and freezer facilities
- Large washroom with washing machine, tumble drier and enamel sinks
- Boot porch with boot drier
- Downstairs W.C.
- Drawing room with open fire place
- Sitting room also with open fire place and with sky television
- Billiard room
- Internet access on request
- Telephone
- One double and One twin bedroom
- One bathroom
- Sitting room with open fireplace, sofa bed (that could sleep 2), table to seat 6
- Well equipped kitchen with gas oven.
- Porch with washing machine
Please ring 999 in cases of fire. The nearest fire engine is some distance away, so please be very careful with the open fires. The wood we collect is liable to spit so it necessary to put the guards on the fire whenever the rooms are empty. Also it seems that candles are used more often these days so please ensure that they are always in a heatproof candleholder (especially nightlights) and not placed directly onto surfaces.
Please ring:
Mr and Mrs Maclellan, 6 Newton Ferry, Lochmaddy. Tel.01876 500228.
If they are not at home call the relevant person:
Plumber - Ian Macdonald - Tel.01876 510248
Electrician - A. Morrison. - Tel. 01876 560260
Doctor' Surgery - Lochmaddy Tel. 01876 500333 Practice calls 01876 500463 Appointments (Office Hours)
Hospital - Balavanich, Benbecula. Tel 01870 603603
You will be met on arrival by Mr and Mrs Maclellan and shown the necessary things. Please telephone a week before arrival to inform them as to your arrival time and to confirm everything, tel. 01876 500228.
You will be given a set of keys and please do try not to lose them as it is difficult to get replacements on the island.
It is advisable to lock the house when it is empty and to shut windows (this is to protect against fast changing weather as much as anything.)
Electricity
This is included in the costs , but we do read the meters and if you consume an unreasonable amount we will have to charge this separately. Please ensure that you turn anything off that is not necessary.
The hot water is heated by immersion heaters and should be adequate for a full house. It is heated overnight and there is a booster on the big tank that can be used if really necessary. The Aga heats the water in the bathroom above the kitchen. This also has an immersion heater but the aga will reduce in temperature if a lot of baths are taken. This could affect the time you eat in the evenings especially! It is better to leave the immersions on the whole time.
Telephone
We provide a telephone and an honesty box. Please pay for all your calls. The prices of the calls are written on the boxes. If this system is abused, we will be forced to remove the telephones. If you wish to use a computer and the internet please inform Mr and Mrs Maclellan and they will unlock one of the telephone sockets for you.
Television
We now have sky television but not digital. The programmes you can get are all obtainable using the remote control. The sound is adjustable with the smaller remote control. Please ensure that the remote controls are kept by the television and especially before you depart.
Linen
This is provided and all the beds are made on arrival. If you require any extra please ask Mrs Maclellan., but there is a washing machine and if the weather is dry it can be dried on the line outside or, if necessary in the dryer or on the aga. If you require a cot please inform Mrs Maclellan before you arrive. It is best to provide your own linen for this but we do have some sheets and blankets. Please do not take the bath towels to the beach.
Billiard Room
There is a 3/4 size billiard table as well as a darts board in the billiard room. It is extremely difficult to get the baize replaced and so we would be most grateful if extra care is taken. Please do not let children play on it unsupervised and be careful of the surface and the pockets when playing. We have replaced a great many of the cues and rests which had been broken.
Washing Machine and Tumble Dryer
Please try to ensure that there is not too much sand put into the machines as they clog up. Please use dryer sparingly as it eats electricity.
Plumbing
Please do not put anything other that loo paper down the lavatories. No nappy liners, cotton wool, ST's, tampons and even toothbrushes (which we have often found).
Rubbish
It is essential that as much recycling is done as possible. There are boxes in the washroom for bottles, plastic, and tins. These can be taken to the recycling containers situated by the Berneray Ferry, Sollas co-op, Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy.
Fuel
The aga is run on oil and this is all provided. If by any chance you run out please contact the Maclellans. We do have a limited amount of peat and logs which are all found on the island. Peat requires much hard work to dig and is limited so please use sparingly. If you find any driftwood on the beaches that can be transported home please feel free to replenish the stocks. The more the merrier! Logs can also be bought at some of the shops. Coal can also be used on the fire in the larger sitting room or library and can be obtained at the shops. If there are any queries please contact the Maclellans.
Equipment
We do try to equip the house with all the relevant equipment. If there are any breakages we would be grateful if you could inform us or replace them. We find that china and glass constantly need to be replaced and we would be grateful if care could be taken in loading and unloading the dishwasher. The plates can only be put in the coolest oven of the aga i.e. bottom left.
There is a site beyond the garages where a bonfire has been lit. Please feel free to burn anything here but please ensure that all fire is extinguished when not in attendance and be careful on a windy day.
If you have a barbeque please do not use the racks from the cookers. They are not for outside use. We do not have a barbeque but disposable ones can be bought on the island. There may be an old rack in the garage for homemade ones.
Shopping can be a bit of pot luck so if you have decided on a particular dish it is not always possible to find the ingredients you want. Nearly everything comes in quite small quantities and good cheese is quite difficult to find. It might be worth taking a good ham with you especially if you are into sandwiches for picnics.
The ferries on Mon./Wed./Fri. midday bring in the fresh produce to the island. i.e. fresh milk, cream etc., fresh vegetables and fresh meat. Wednesday is the best day of all with the most goods. In the summer the demand is greatest and it can be wise to go shopping in the afternoons of those days for the pick of the bunch.
Ardmaree Stores, Berneray
Tel.
Nearest store and sells a bit of everything, but usually in small quantities. It is possible to order things in advance and then to collect it in one go. Papers can be ordered here, but they do not always get to the shop, either because the plane has had to forego papers for passengers or that noone has managed to collect them from Clachan Stores. Very friendly and helpful.
Sollas Co-op
Best selection in North Uist. Has most things but it is very popular so it really is a case of first come first served. They are constantly stocking the shelves and can be rather overcrowded. Also sells papers, magazines, drinks and cigarettes.
Lochmaddy Stores/ Butcher
Tel: 01876 500324
Expensive and quite small . The butcher is in the back of the shop and it is probably best to order things in advance. Check when he is open as it may be mornings only. This is the nearest petrol station to the house.
Clachan Stores
Tel:01876 580257
Normal selection, quite small , but does have odd things you might want. Good selection of papers and sells a small selection of fishing things.ie flies etc. Also some butchers meat and fresh fish but in small quantities.
The Hebridean Smokehouse
Tel: 01876 580209
Excellent selection of peat smoked products
Bayhead Stores
Tel:01876 510257
The petrol pumps were blown away in the January storms. Hope they have been replaced. It has a reputation of being a very good shop, but it is the farthest away from the house, but if you were over on the west side might be worth taking a look at. Post Office as well.
Non Food shops in North Uist
Lochmaddy Gift Shop.
A wide selection of goods, cards, books, gifts, toys, pills and ointments, clothes, stationery, sweets and biscuits.
Taigh Chearsabhagh
Tel: 01876 500293
This is an Arts centre and usually has an art exhibition, together with a museum. There is a café, shop selling books and gifts and artists' materials. There is also a post office here.
Grimsay Shops
Kallin Shellfish
Tel 01870 603258/282
Open Mon- Fri 9am - 4pm and Sat. 11 am -2pm
Travelling Van is in Lochmaddy from ll.30am-1.30pm on Wednesday and at Sollas Co-op from 2.30 -5pm. May be in other areas on different days . ring to confirm.
The shop sells fresh fish and venison and duck eggs and Scallops. It is possible to order fresh fish which comes from the Barra Fishermen. It is obviously dependent on weather and what they catch Turbot and Halibut are possibles.|Ring on Monday or Wednesday mornings to order things but worth a try at other times as well. Better to ring rather than go on spec.
Shellfish from the Uist Fishermans Co-op
Tel 01870 602137
This is at the Kallin fishing boat jetty . It is possible to buy large prawns and lobsters here.
NB: It might be possible to buy lobsters and sometimes fish directly from the fishermen. It is always worth going down to the harbour on Berneray where the fishing boats come in and asking if they have anything. A bit potluck as to the timing but give it a go.
Donald Brady Tel: 01876 580325 might be able to help with lobsters but he fishes out on the Monarch Isles and stays there overnight. Ordering in advance would be essential and he lives on near Grimsay so you would have to collect probably.
The Nicholson family fish for prawns from Lochmaddy old harbour and weather permitting they normally go out daily and get back between 4 and 5:30pm. The large ones are simply the best. Telephone them on 01876 500814 or 01876 500409.
Non Food Shop on Grimsay
Island Crafts, Cnoc Ard, Grimsay.
Tel: 01870 602418
This sells a small amount of island crafts. Mr Lachlan Macdonald is the last weaver of Harris tweed on the island. He and his wife run this shop and are very helpful. He may not be still weaving but can tell you all about it.
Benbecula Shops
MacLeans Bakery
Tel 01870 602659
Fresh bakery produce baked daily. They also stock some shops with various things. Homemade oatcakes. They are on the way to the airport soon after you turn off the main north/south road.
Spar Shop
A large shop but with not a lot in it. Can have the odd thing you can't find anywhere else. Does have the odd electrical item.
Maclennans Stores
Tel: 01870 602308
This is a good supermarket with a wide range of goods at competitive prices for the islands. It has a good off-licence, papers and is the only shop open on a Sunday (check timings) Orders can be phoned through and they are very helpful. It has a very good range of fresh fruit and vegetables and Mr Maclennan will try to get you things that you want. There is a good butchers shop (separate from the supermarket ) where you can see what they have and they are very helpful. Papers, hardware, some clothing , hardware, stationery, dog food etc.
Creagorry Co-op
This is a bigger co-op than Sollas but it is a long way to go. It is just before the causeway over to South Uist.
D.R. Macdonald
A good hardware shop, which sells everything for the home and garden. Good place to replenish broken glasses and anything else!
Colin Campbell Sports
Tel: 01870 602236
This sells sports clothing, snooker cues and accessories, darts, footballs etc
MacGillivray
Tel: 01870 602525
This shop sells Tweed, Books, Games, Toys, Gifts, Fishing Gear and clothing for all.
The Lochmaddy Hotel
Tel 01876 500331/332
Bar Food and a Restaurant are available. Booking advisable, certainly for restaurant.
Langais Lodge
01876 580285
Very good restaurant. Booking essential
Westford Inn
01876 580653
Pub with bar snacks
Carinish Inn
01876 580673
Restaurant and Bar Food
This section gives you some idea of what is available on the island, but there is a great deal more to see and do. Please look at notice boards and ask the locals to find out more. Please note that this information is for guidance only and that it may have changed since writing this booklet.
FISHING
Fishing permits for the Department water can be purchased from Clachan Stores Tel:01876 580257.
| Permits: | |
| Daily | £5.00 |
| Weekly | £25.00 |
| Boats | £10.00 per day |
Boats need to be booked . Please enquire at the shop for details.
Fishing permits for the North Uist Estate water can be bought at the Lochmaddy Hotel Tel: 01876 500331/332. This includes permission to fish the sea pools and lochs for salmon and sea trout. Hotel guests and the owners have first pick and sometimes it is difficult to get all day slots, but they will fill you in on the details and costs of this fishing.
Please make sure that you get the right permit and know exactly which loch and which boat you are allowed to fish from.
UIST OUTDOOR CENTRE Tel: 01876 500480
This centre can be found in Lochmaddy and offers a range of outdoor activities:-
- Canoeing
- Surf Canoeing
- Abseiling
- Rubber Tubing
- Diving
- And maybe more.
- Rock climbing.
Boat trips can be arranged to the Monach Isles and elsewhere with Niall Johnson at the centre. He has an eight seater rib boat and is hugely experienced. He is also the owner of the centre.
BOAT TRIPS
Donald MacLean, Berneray Harbour, Tel: 01876 540289 or 07786 306745
Sea fishing
Non landing cruises in the Sound of Harris
Trips to offshore island
Walking; Bird, seal and otter watching.
There are walks everywhere with beautiful, empty white sand beaches and wildlife in abundance. For organised walks see notice boards on local shops and also the tourist shop in lochmaddy. For bird watchers the R.S.P.B. site at Balranald is an obvious attraction.
