STAY : The Creel Yard Camping, North Uist, Outer Hebrides
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of the Isle of Grimsay, North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, lies the rustic Creel Yard Camping. The camping site is located just above a sleepy harbour that reflects the enduring spirit of a community shaped by the rhythms of the ocean.
It’s a hidden gem that promises a truly idyllic getaway for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
REVIEW OF THE CREEL YARD CAMPING, NORTH UIST, OUTER HEBRIDES
There isn’t much in the way of accommodation on Uist and for adventure seekers the Creel Yard is a perfect place to lay your head when a 5 star hotel is not required. The Creel Yard is not far from the Hebridean Cycle Path and provides shelter for your bikes too. The Creel Yard also welcomes dogs, just well behaved ones!
Lucy and Duncan own The Creel Yard as well as their other camping site, The Tractor Shed in Paible.
The Creel Yard has two types of accommodation available : bunkhouses and pods. The pods come with turfed roofs offering a unique and eco-friendly accommodation experience, blending seamlessly into their natural surroundings while providing cosy comfort for outdoor enthusiasts. The turfed roofs also act as a way to weigh down the pods in high winds!
Bunkhouses are the perfect accommodation option for adventurers and cyclists seeking a cosy communal space and an authentic rustic experience. They are warm with basic but very comfortable beds and can sleep 1-4 people
CAMPING PODS - Double Bed - £40 per night with a £6pp 1st night service charge. (So 2 people for 1 night is £52 and for 2 nights its £92). Family pods are available too (4 single beds)
BUNKHOUSES - Single Beds - £46 per night with a £6pp 1st night service charge.
Both the pods and the bunkhouses come with electricity - electric light and bike/phone charging as well as linen and towels and the pods are well sheltered with their own private porch and peat burning stove.
Everywhere you look from this camping site, the views are simply breathtaking. You’ll quickly become mesmerized by the sheer beauty that surrounds you. The rugged cliffs and rolling hills provided a stunning backdrop, adorned with patches of vibrant wildflowers and scattered cottages. This is a place where the beauty of nature envelopes you, and you’ll feel a profound connection to this remote and untouched corner of the world.
In the centre of this site you’ll find the communal building that houses a large open kitchen and dining space, a wooden outdoor deck and sun trap, as well as toilet and shower facilities. None of the pods or bunkhouses come with their own kitchens, dining areas or w/c’s.
The kitchen is very well equipped with a large dining table. There is 24 hour running hot water, laundry facilities, microwave, stove, kettle etc. The w/c’s include great showers, toilets and ample changing space.
The Creel Yard is available to be hired out for sole use for large family gatherings or groups. As I was on the Outer Hebrides Tourism ‘Meet the Producer Tour’ along with 15-20 other foodie enthusiasts, we descended on The Creel Yard and completely took over! Within our group we were blessed to have a few chefs on board to kindly cooked up a storm in the kitchen and BBQ whilst many of us sat around the fire and indulged in the spoils of our food and drink from the 1st day of our tour around Uist.
The Outer Hebrides is an incredible larder and we indulged in Hebridean Lamb, langoustines, crab, scallops and vegetables. When you have fantastic ingredients, its easy to whisk up a fabulous feast although you do still need to know how to cook it! Many thanks to Andrew and Eric from the Boisdale Hotel in London and to Brenda from Tasting Scotland for providing us all with an insane Hebridean feast!
As Duncan and Lucy aren’t that busy (yes, that’s an understatement), they have also started a salt project next to the camping site. They collect salt water from various spots around Uist and bring it into these polly tunnels to evaporate and create salt. In theory, they should be able to create different flavours of salt depending on location and collection of the salt water. This is a project in progress. We used their salt in our feast - large salt crystals that crushed easily, extreme salt flavour that gave a hint of sweetness on the back note. Very good indeed. Definitely one to watch!
The experience of waking up to the sound of quiet nature, surrounded by the untouched beauty of Uist, is unparalleled. Whether you spend your days exploring the rugged coastline, immersing yourself in the rich Scottish heritage, or simply relaxing by the crackling peat campfire under a starlit sky, The Creel Yard promises an unforgettable escape into nature.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE CREEL YARD
Parking is available
Dogs are allowed but only well behaved ones
There is electricity in the pods, bunkhouses and main communal space
They are only open April to October
Free Wi-Fi is available as well as decent 4G signal
The Creel Yard, Grimsay, North Uist, Outer Hebrides. www.northuistbunkhouse.co.uk/the-creel-yard