Eating out

Scarista House (www.scaristahouse.com, 01859 550238) has a delightful dining room in the former Manse above Scarista beach. A romantic location, perfect for a special occasion.

The Rodel Hotel (www.rodelhotel.co.uk, 01859 520210) is at the far south of the Island.

The Anchorage on the pier in Leverburgh (01859 520225) is a less formal restaurant that serves great local seafood in particular, with live music at weekends.

In Tarbert the Harris Hotel (www.harrishotel.com, 01859 502154), famous for its range of malt whiskeys and links to JM Barrie has a formal restaurant in the hotel, and an informal one – the Harris Inn (www.isleofharrisinn.co.uk, 01859 502566) across the road, which does great bar meals to eat in or take-away.

Hotel Hebrides (www.hotelhebrides.com, 01859 502364) Pierhouse Restaurant down by the ferry is the trendy place in town. There is also a bistro menu in the bar.

Hebrides Art in Seilebost, near the causeway is the ideal spot for coffee and cake. It displays art by the owners, Lesley and Alisdair Wiseman and other local artists (www.hebridesart.co.uk).

The Skoon Art Cafe is a good choice for lunch in the Bays area on the East coast and has spectacular views back across the Minch, but is small and can be a bit of a squeeze at lunchtime. Serves the best cappuccino on the island in our opinion.

The First Fruits Tea Room is opposite the Tarbert Tourist Information Centre has home-made cakes, and take-away coffee. It sometimes opens for dinner on summer evenings.

In Northton, visit the Temple Cafe, or the Croft 36 shop, who also deliver great evening meals.

If you are looking for a coffee in Leverburgh, An Clachan has a cafe above the shop,

In Stornoway, the arts centre, An Lanntair (www.lanntair.com, 01851 703307), has a bar area and more formal restaurant.

Digby Chick (01851 700026) is one of our favourite restaurants if you want to treat yourselves

HS1 or Boatshed – the brasserie and restaurant in the Royal Hotel (www.royalstornoway.co.uk, 01851 702109) are both good options

The Woodland Centre in the grounds of Lews Castle is a good spot for lunch. You can get to it through the Castle grounds, or walk out of town and get to it across the footbridge.

Alternatively, there is the County Hotel in town, has a reputation for good Indian food.

The Loch Erisort Inn is just off the main road in Balallan- exactly half way between Stornoway and Tarbert, and has a wide range of bar meals.