A comfortable traditional cottage sitting on six acres of croftland walking distance to the sea. On the beautiful Island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Fully fitted kitchen, two doubles and a twin bedroom.  Recently refurbished to a high standard

Mollans is a comfortable traditional cottage sitting on six acres of croftland and five minutes walk from the Atlantic seaboard with its associated rich diversity of marine and coastal birdlife.

Your leisurely breakfast can be prepared in the fully fitted kitchen and at some stage you might hear the cry of the Corncrake calling to its mate in the nearby fields. The low lying Iris beds on Croft Mollans are home to a diverse range of wading birds and the croft is a recorded Corncrake habitat with RSPB. Quite uniquely, Shawbost is one of the the very few locations where the RSPB has registered an increase in the Corncrake population.

The bedrooms, two doubles and a twin are comfortably furnished and sleep six with adjacent shower/bathroom.

Before dinner or in the late afternoon take an invigorating walk along the cliff top path to watch the sun go down on Shawbost bay, returning by the more leisurely shore road.

There is a spacious walled terrace to the front of the cottage and before going down for the night you can savour a favourite malt while relaxing to the sound of traditional Hebridean music and song, from the range of CDs and/or browse through the collection of natural history books,in the front lounge of the cottage

Mollans, set as it is on the rugged Atlantic coastline and with a sweeping sandy beach within minutes walk affords you a holiday which combines the ultimate privacy of your own holiday cottage, complete with all facilities and the freedom to roam areas rich in the natural history and heritage of the west coast of Scotland.

Many additional features, such as boat and bank fishing, bike hire, guided tours etc. are available by arrangement. The Mollans visitor's book bears testimony to the comfortable and relaxing environment of the cottage which provides an ideal base for touring the Western Isles of Scotland.

The Road to Mullans Cottage

Sailing into Stornoway bay on the Caledonian McBrayne car ferry - the MV Isle of Lewis, visitors to the island will see the imposing 17th Century castle set in its own grounds and overlooking the bustling fishing harbour. Lewis, the largest in the chain of islands has Stornoway as its commercial and administrative centre.

The sailing out of Ullapool has taken just over two hours and the port has excellent landing facilities; with the Town Hall clock of Stornoway welcoming visitors and guests. The An Lanntair Gallery, housed in the Town Hall is well worth a visit for the exhibitions and its Coffee Shop.

Before "heading for the West" you may choose to stop at the Islander Seafood shop, the hand dived scallops and the fresh langoustines are particularly recommended. Alternatively on the way out of town at Bayhead you might call at Charlie Barley's for some succulent heather grazed Lewis Lamb (try some on the barbeque)!-Also, Their Stornoway Black Puddings are sought after, the length and breadth of the country -Next door, the local Scottish Co-op offers a fine range of wines and malt whiskies to compliment your stay.

Traceability is the buzzword of the food industry in the 21st century and the meat and seafoods originating from the crofts and sea lochs of the Westerns Isles, come from one of the cleanest and most natural environments in the Western world.

Heading west and driving over the Barvas moor, a twelve mile stretch of blanket peatlands, one can reflect on the Bard's vision of the landscape ---.

"Muirneag garbh agus beantainn Bharbhais"

"Stark Muirneag (300 feet) and the hills of Barvas shrouded in mist covered, heather clad moorland"

At Barvas you may visit the excellent Gallery Oisheval with its striking exhibitions of Lewis land and seascapes. Turning left at Barvas and driving south west along the coast road, you are now truly on the trail of the West Side Story a string of coastal villages each with its own history and heritage.

A first stop might be at Tigh Dubh Arnol - the Arnol Black House to catch a dram of the unique Black house whisky; although you will have to come back another day to savour the eye-watering peat smoked atmosphere wafting from the open central fire - an authentic Lewis Black House, now in the custodianship of Historic Scotland. A few miles further on at Bragar, pause to view the Whalebone Arch,a huge jaw bone structure from a giant Blue Whale, redolent of whaling days gone by and now forming an impressive arched entrance to Lakefield House.

It is often said in relation to the Western Isles that when the good Lord made time, He made plenty of it and nowhere is this more true than on the West side of Lewis.

The Area

A traditional Gaelic speaking, crofting and weaving township with a long sweeping sandy beach, Shawbost has many places of interest and provides excellent opportunities for the keen walker and cyclist - The Balla Gorm - A challenging walk through the open moorland to the foot of Ben Bragar, takes the visitor to the Balla Gorm a sheer face of blue Lewissean Gneiss - one of the oldest known rock formations. This location is reputed to have been the hideout of Mac an Stronaich, the legendary and subsequently outlawed fugitive who was later to be hanged at Gallows Hill in Stornoway, charged with sheep stealing and rustling activities.

A couple of miles walk along the coast takes you to the Norse Mill, a restored Viking settlement where the corn and wheat from the crofts were, in previous generations, taken to be ground for the staple wheat and cornmeal diet of the time.

The local Shawbost Inn is noted for the quality of its food and serves a range of fine ales on draught. At Carloway harbour,The Macleod Brothers offer a wide range of salmon products, both smoked and fresh and at very reasonable prices. Take some home and try your hand at the Mollans recipe for homemade Gravalax - excellent for nibbles or as an afternoon snack on the terrace with a glass of your favourite Chablis.

The theme of the holiday is doing your own thing, whether it be fishing, walking, birdwatching etc., but doing it in a peaceful and tranquil environment, safe and enjoyable for adults and children alike.

The local museum houses many artefacts from bygone days including early crofting implements and features a wooden hand loom which formed the basis of the early Harris Tweed weaving industry; leading on eventually to the current Rapier looms designed to meet the world wide demand for this tradional hand woven fabric, now much recognised by the fashion houses of London, and beyond.

Visitors to the local Harris Tweed Mill can purchase lengths of tweed in traditional styles as well as the more recently introduced classical shades and patterns.

For the more energetic, the nearby beaches of Shawbost, Dalbeg and Dalmore have become a magnet for experienced surfers, but the novice should beware the exceptionally strong tides and currents that can affect these waters.

A 30-minute drive takes you to the neolithic Calanais Standing Stones and its excellent interpretative centre where you can test your own theories as to the origins of these magnificent structures; passing on the way to Calanais, the Gearrannan Black House Village and the fortified Broch at Dun Carloway.

A two hour drive from Stornoway takes the visitor to the white beaches of Harris and the spectacular settings for the popular TV Castaway series.