The Old Croft House

The Old Croft House is located on a working croft almost exactly in the centre of Back village, a fertile crofting township in the north-east of the Isle of Lewis — the largest of the Outer Hebridean islands. (See the interative map below to view the exact location.)

Just seven miles north of the main town of Stornoway, Back is an ideal location for a holiday in the Hebrides. The long, white sands of Back and Gress beaches are a few minutes walk from the house in one direction. Walk the other way and you're soon striding across miles of heathery moor, dotted with trout-filled lochs and through which the Gress River runs (noted for its salmon and sea-trout)*. There are plenty of quiet single-track croft-roads leading into the moorland, ideal if you feel like doing some cycling.

Back is well-supplied with amenities too. You'll be guaranteed a warm welcome in the local shop and Post Office (½ a mile away), which boasts the cheapest petrol in Lewis, as well as daily newspapers and a wide selection of groceries. The village also has a hairdressers, a pharmacy and a gifts shop.

Feel like eating out? Stornoway is just 15 minutes away by car (25 minutes if you hop on the regular bus service that goes past your door). The world-famous Calanais Stones, the Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, the Harris Distillery and the Butt of Lewis are all easily accessible too — none of them much more than an hour away by car.

How to find the Old Croft House

The Google Map below shows the exact location of the Old Croft House. If you are using Sat Nav the lat/long coordinates are (58.283, -6.292).

If arriving from Stornoway Ferry Terminal: turn left on exiting the terminal, and continue to a mini-roundabout. Take the second exit (onto James Street), signposted "Brocair A866". Continue up James Street to a second mini-roundabout and take the first exit (signposted Port Nis (A857) onto Matheson Road. Follow Matheson Road until you come to another roundabout, taking the second exit, which is again signposted "Port Nis (A857)". At the third roundabout take the second exit (signposted Barabhas, A857). Continue on the A857 for one mile. Turn right, taking the well-signposted turning marked Tolastadh (B895). Continue on the B895 for just over 5 miles — you will pass a large sports centre in Coll, a shop with fuel and a pharmacy. Look for a large church on your left-hand-side. There is a turn-off to the left immediately after this church, followed by another turn-off 100 yards further on. Take the second of these two turn-offs, signposted Sraid a Bhac / Am Poileagan. Continue down this single-track road for about half a mile; you will see the Old Croft House to your right.

If arriving from Stornoway Airport: follow the signs for Stornoway town centre (on the A866). At the first roundabout you come to take the second exit (continuing along Sandwick Road) . Continue on to a mini-roundabout and take the second exit onto Matheson Road - it is signposted "Port Nis (A857)". Follow Matheson Road until you come to another roundabout, taking the second exit, which is again signposted "Port Nis (A857)". At the third roundabout take the second exit (signposted Barabhas, A857). Continue on the A857 for one mile. Turn right, taking the well-signposted turning marked Tolastadh (B895). Continue on the B895 for just over 5 miles. Look for a large church on your left-hand-side. There is a turn-off to the left immediately after this church, followed by another turn-off 100 yards further on. Take the second of these two turn-offs, signposted Sraid a Bhac / Am Poileagan. Continue down this single-track road for about half a mile; you will see the Old Croft House to your right.

If arriving from Harris: follow the signs for Stornoway (A859). On entering the town you will come to a roundabout; take the first exit (signposted Barabhas, A857). Continue on the A857 for one mile. Turn right, taking the well-signposted turning marked Tolastadh (B895). Continue on the B895 for just over 5 miles. Look for a large church on your left-hand-side. There is a turn-off to the left immediately after this church, followed by another turn-off 100 yards further on. Take the second of these two turn-offs, signposted Sraid a Bhac / Am Poileagan. Continue down this single-track road for about half a mile; you will see the Old Croft House to your right.

Public transport

There is a relatively good bus service between Back and Stornoway Town Centre - the local council website has full timetables. The Old Croft House is on route W5. Note that not all W5 buses turn off the main road; look for ones that go round Back/Lighthill. Otherwise you will have a ½ mile walk from the bus stop.

Taxis are available from both locations also.

Car Hire

Cars may be hired from Stornoway Airport and from the Stornoway and Tarbert ferry terminals.