Croft Seventeen Lemreway
Our life on our Isle of Lewis croft
Two years ago we arrived with a caravan, our animals and lots of hope to take on revitalising a long redundant croft. That journey has not just been challenging and hugely rewarding but a gathering of experiences, friendships, stories, humour, education and emotions.
We have a background in mountain and worldwide expedition leadership, lived in rural Co Durham and had long term careers in education, social work and veterinary care. In 2021 we made the decision to pursue a long held passion for a small scale agricultural / subsistence lifestyle. We already had our Soay sheep and horses and lots of ideas. The Outer Hebrides with it's rich crofting culture and unique edge of the world and wilderness location gave us some of the challenges we loved in our international expedition work. Pairc is a large area of South East Lewis, a landscape of mountains, lochs, seascapes and above all a rich place for social history and culture but now very sparsely populated and shared with the iconic eagles that soar above us. Lemreway is a road end location set around a small bay overlooking the Minch and across to the Shaint Isles, Skye and the mainland mountains. The township has a complex social history emerging from the clearances and provides a back story rooted in the land and sea and stories that both inspire but remind us of the challenges and tragedies that embodied crofting in this remote and sometimes harsh environment. Our journey on our croft is very recent. Starting with bare land and lots of hope and endeavour we have sought to bring the croft back to life.Croft Seventeen is now a fully working croft. We are diversifying into education and adventure tourism. We have a flock of pedigree Soay sheep and firmly believe that heritage and rare breeds can find a new place in modern agriculture, as it strives for more regenerative and low carbon methodology. Our Highland cattle fold brings a return of cattle to the crofting township of Lemreway. This is a long term project and covers a large grazing area bordered by remote sea lochs and shared with the iconic wildlife of the area. Otters, Red Deer and Sea and Golden eagles. Chickens and ducks are a plenty and work hard around the centre of our croft giving us lots of amazing eggs. They are truly free ranging but enjoy heading over to where ever we are working. We also have horses, a Thoroughbred who has adapted to the environment very well and a tried and tested Highland pony. They provide much love and nice riding but also lots of poo, which we use for regenerative input on the croft; manure, composting and fuel. Utilising natural resources is very important to us and we love to share and explain our momentum towards being off grid and self reliant. We grow most of our own food too, indoors and outdoors and in time we plan to use our off gird experience of living in a caravan for two years to make the croft and the house fully energy self sufficient.
Soay sheep
We have a flock of pedigree Soay sheep. An ancient breed from St Kilda, 40 miles out in the Atlantic off the Outer Hebrides. Closely related to the ancient breeds of neolithic times this rare breed faces a difficult future and we hope to be able to continue to develop our robust bloodlines here on Lewis, just a short distance from it's breed heritage.
Our pedigree flock was first brought together when we lived in Co Durham and have come with us. We have introduced a new tup from Sutherland this year and our long term plan is to build a hardy flock of Outer Hebridean breeding stock to help other crofters start up on the island. The breed has a challenging future as many native breeds do and in time we hope to be able to re-establish the breed more firmly amongst the islands of its near origin. The breed has a lot to offer as an alternative to current commercial breeds. Regenerative farming, sustainable methods and a future that may demand lower carbon inputs and less but better quality meat could find solutions within our ancient heritage breeds. We already have a small group of crofters taking our sheep and the momentum continues.
Highland Cattle
Our Highland cattle fold brings a return of cattle to the crofting township of Lemreway. The ‘Lemreway fold’ is based on heifers brought in from the famous Ardbhan Fold of North Uist. This is a long term project for the croft. We are making use of our grazing shares and the cows wander a complex area of over 200 acres, with good grass, lots of lochs, beach access and enjoy a natural lifestyle. The aim is to breed in 2027 and in time build a 'Lemreway' bloodline that is of good pedigree and form, hardy and can add good value to other pedigree breeders looking for a Hebriddean lineage. Rachel and Ena are very tame and we can now call them in on sight from great distances. They will meet us when we wander out to look for them and we will sit down and they will just stay and 'hang out' with us. The bond is magical and we are looking forward to finding the right bull in 2026.
Growing our own food
Our first job when we moved on to the croft was to build our 12m Polycarbonate tunnel. Providing protection and good temperatures for growing we set about building a new soil base. Composting on the croft is very important to us. We aim to be regenerative and sustainable and have in the past two years gained good knowledge of whats works. Collecting sea weed has added nutrients and tempered the very acidic soil. We grow grapes, make our own wine, pick soft fruits grow all our salads and tomatoes and much of our greens. Outside we have utilised the old 'lazy beds' and do very well with potatoes and leeks. We are always experimenting and are getting close to being almost self sufficient with grown foods. We do have surplasses from time to time and these find their way into our honesty box, but our guests in the Shepherds Hut and Eyrie will be able to browse fresh food at will.
Croft holiday accomodation
We will have a stunning Shepherds Hut with fabulous views available for holiday rental in 2025. Come and stay with us as a base for your exploration of the Isles of Lewis and Harris. Stay on our working croft and experience daily life and learn more about our livestock, environment and wildlife. More details to follow soon, but if you want to reserve some dates email us now.
Newly constructed and bespokley designed, it provides a beautiful blend of luxury with its retro past. Set within our croft the views are outstanding. The hut is a lovely hideaway immersed within the wild and sparsely populated landscapes of the Pairc area of Lewis. Open all year round it provides an excellent adventure base for exploring the islands, everywhere can be reached in less than an hour. However there is much to see and do on foot from your front door.
Lemreway is a beautiful crofting community at the end of the road in Pairc, South Lochs. Nestled by the sea amidst wild and rocky hills the sheltered bay opens out and takes your gaze out to the Shiant Islands and to Skye beyond. Inland sea lochs and the rugged hills of Pairc lie empty, framing the Harris mountains and a big sky!
Croft. Explore our croft and meet the animals. We raise Soay sheep which are primitive sheep from St Kilda from which we weave wool rugs. Some sheep are tame and will come and say ‘Hi’! We even keep a few sheep nuts for you to treat them. Meet our Highland Cattle too, Ena and Rachel are the foundation cows for the new 'Lemreway Fold'.
Local walks, explore the bay and township. Take a longer walk to the abandoned village of Stemreway or wander up our croft and out onto the rugged wilderness beyond. We can suggest some good routes for you.
Wild walks. Longer explorations in all directions. We can give you some good ideas. We have copies of the local OS map in the Sheiling for your use. David and Izzy are qualified mountain leaders and expedition leaders and will help you plan or even:
Guided walks. Talk to use about helping you reach the wild side of Lewis and Harris. Single day walks or wild backpacks.
Coast. The shoreline is just 100m from our croft. You can launch sea kayaks here, and there are lots of sheltered coastline options to explore. We don’t have the sands of the other parts of the island. You are on the wild side, but we have remote shorelines to explore with their abundant wildlife, cliffs, shallow stony bays and actually one amazing little cove and stony beach that you can walk to from the croft in 30 minutes. A fabulous sun trap and you will also have it all to yourself !
Fishing. There are numerous freshwater lochs you can fish and of course lots of choices for sea fishing. All local to the croft, and we have rods for you to use.
Wildlife. Golden and Sea eagles are very common and PAIRC is one of the best places to see these iconic birds of prey. You will see them from the croft. Red Deer visit and at the shoreline otters explore and seals rest. The sea here is superb for whales and dolphins and from Stornoway or Tarbet you can get a sea trip seeking out these awesome sights and visiting the uninhabited Shiant islands which are home to thousands of puffins. The croft springs to life in summer with wild flowers and purple heather.
Local history. Lemreway has a long history. Bonnie Prince Charlie hid on the isle in the bay and the highland clearances are tragic history that must be explored. We have compiled a history of our croft and the area for you to read and maybe head out on foot to explore.
The Eryie, a remote and secluded wild camp
High up our croft in a remote and stunning location are the ruins of an old blackhouse. The site has a compost toilet and the views are to die for! This really is a wild camp and you will have the whole area to yourselves. We operate this site for just 28 days per year in midsummer. The perfect getaway. Visit Pitchup to find out more and book. This will be available to book soon for summer 2025. https://www.pitchup.com/campsite/the-eyrie/albums/
Croft visits
Starting in spring 2025 and first date to be announced:
Croft tours available for upto eight people.
A guided walk across our croft exploring the history of the land through the clearances to our present day crofting activities. We will explore the geology of this amazing landscape casting our eyes across the Minch to the Shiant isles, Skye and the mountains of the west coast beyond. Our walk will delve deep into the challenges we have faced, our aspirations and emotions and connect you vividly with the history that connects us to this land. Croft Seventeen is a fully working croft. We have a flock of pedigree Soay sheep. An ancient breed from St Kilda, 40 miles out in the Atlantic off the Outer Hebrides. Closely related to the ancient breeds of neolithic times this rare breed faces a difficult future and we hope to be able to continue to develop our robust bloodlines here on Lewis, just a short distance from its breed heritage. Our Highland cattle fold brings a return of cattle to the crofting township of Lemreway. The ‘Lemreway fold’ is based on heifers brought in from the famous Ardbhan Fold of North Uist. This is a long term project and covers a large grazing area bordered by remote sea lochs and shared with the iconic wildlife of the area. Otters, Red Deer and Sea and Golden eagles. Chickens and ducks are a plenty and work hard around the centre of our croft giving us lots of amazing eggs. They are truly free ranging but enjoy heading over to where ever we are working. We also have horses, a Thoroughbred who has adapted to the environment very well. Jelly Bean provides much love and nice riding but also lots of poo, which we use for regenerative input on the croft; manure, composting and fuel. Utilising natural resources is very important to us and we love to share and explain our momentum towards being off grid and self reliant. We grow most of our own food too, indoors and outdoors and we have lots to show you. Depending on the season you can take some fresh food and eggs away with you.
Our tour involves walking, sometimes off path and some steeper hills . It is leisurely though and we aim to do this at your pace. We really like lots of questions and are happy to let conversations follow what really interests you. We will adapt to the prevailing weather, but please be prepared to walk in the rain, wind or sun! In other words, bring waterproofs something warm and sunny gear too, and of course a packed lunch.! The tour will roughly take four hours and will include lots of nice sitting down breaks, animal interaction and a break for lunch and later, tea and scones to send you on your way. We will start at 10am and tours take place from the start of April to the end of October, each Thursday. ( Lambing is from the end of April onwards).
Cost is £40 per person or a private tour can be booked by arrangement.
Artwork by David Bartles-Smith Artist
Inspired by our surroundings it is so good to spend some time away from the daily tasks of animal husbandry to paint and explore lots of craft ideas. David has painted for most of his life and used several mediums but prefers large canvas acrylics, usually quite abstract and full of colour. There is so much on the island to look at and landscapes have and continue to find most of his attention, but occasionally he will digress to wildlife and anything that poses a challenge. Paintings are exhibited from time to time but are always available for viewing at the croft. View examples of work at www.openstudioshebrides.com We have also developed and will continue to add to a collection of island postcards, usually for sale locally, but also available here at the croft.
Free range hen and duck eggs
We have a large flock of 36 hens and four ducks. They are truly free range having access to all our croft but generally stay close by. They have access to a diverse habitat, trees, grass, heather and around the croft buildings. The eggs are delicious and we have built up a loyal following of buyers. We have an honesty box at the croft gate but also do a weekly delivery around Pairc. The 'egg run'.
Exploring Lemreway
Self guided walks around Lemreway from our croft
There are endless possibilities for adventurous walks around Lemreway. Small summits, rocky moorland scapes, hidden coves, cliffs and small glens open up to long views across the Eishken and Harris hills, northern Lewis and across the Minch to the Shiant Islands, Skye, the mainland mountains and beyond. Lemreway itself provides a sheltered bay ringed by a cluster of crofts. Steeped in history there is much to explore and wonder.
The Pairc Historical Society booklet, ‘History of Lemreway’ is an excellent companion to our two walks which start from our croft. The booklet is available from the shop at Ravenspoint.
Both our walks start and end at our croft and there you can collect your route guide and description. The routes are designed to provide lots of viewpoints and rocks to sit upon to ponder and enjoy the breathtaking scenery and wildlife. The walks could be done in an hour but you may want to spend a long time out there! They are available at the croft gate. There is a good space to park at the Orinsay road junction just before you enter the village. Croft Seventeen is about 400m on the left after you take the first left by the first house. Please remember to return the route guide. Dogs must be kept on a lead.
Walk 1. Tom Canaich. This is a dominant shapely hill , immediately to the east of the village with a small rounded summit, with outstanding views of the mainland mountains, Shiant Isles and Skye, as well as the Harris hills and central and northern Lewis. Approx 3 km with no paths. Our route picks out easy ground and is waymarked for you.
Go through our gate and walk up past the stable onto the old village track. You will see a stile in the fence. Cross this and head up the zig zag path. The path is obvious and takes you up to an old blackhouse. Continue past this. Tom Canaich is now briefly visible, the obvious hill ahead of you. Walk 500m to our croft boundary fence, you will find a gate that opens onto the grazings. Please close the gate behind you. There are white cane route markers for you to follow from here. These pick out the best route, and soon again Tom Canaich becomes visible again and remains within sight and is your goal. It is a bold conical hill bounded by a rocky ridge on its right flank. Our route will take you up to the left hand side of the top. The grassy summit is small and often the haunt of eagles. There is an outstanding 360 degree panorama. Across the Minch to the north you will see Ben More Assynt, then follow the mainland coastline south. Suilven, An Teallach, Bein Eighe, Liathach and of course the Skye ranges and islands beyond. Just below us Eilean Ewart ( Luibhard) scene of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s hide away and beyond that the Shiant Isles. West across Eishken and the Harris hills towards Uig and then north across the flatter moors of Lewis to Stornoway. There is lots of scope here to explore further, keeping the summit as your guide back to our croft. A map would be recommended. The return route follows your ascent.
Walk 2. The grazings. This walk is a circular route taking in much of the village before heading out across some beautiful undulating hills that form a cozy western arm to the village. They are small and grassy and hide small lochans and superb views to Eishken, the village and Loch Shell. You may even meet out Highland cows, Ena and Rachel. This is their vast home. Approx 4 km and easy going underfoot.
Leave the croft gate and walk along the road towards the red phone box. Turn right here and you will be following the village road ahead of you, past the harbour on your left and up a gentle winding hill. After about 1km you will take in a new view of the bay hidden from the village and look for our sign on a gate post on your right. It is just past a wooded area on your left. Go through this gate and head up a few metres to some quite extensive blackhouse ruins. From now on you may encounter our two Highland cows, Rachel and Ena. They are very friendly and inquisitive, but as with all livestock stay calm and they will see you on your way. Please don’t approach them, let them come to you if they wish. Continue through the field keeping on the left hand side to a small gate. Leave the gate how you find it, it may be left open deliberately. Through the gate you will see a path rising gradually to the left. Follow this and soon you are on the crest of a line of small bumpy, grassy hillocks. Further ahead you will see a larger green hill with rocks on it. Aim for this by keeping to the left of a flat boggy area soon in front of you. Look for remnants of ancient trees. The views are tremendous. Laze a while beside a small loch or sit high on a rocky outcrop. You can turn to your left here and aim for Loch Shell, which opens up as you soon descend. Here you will find a lovely secluded stoney beach. Back upon the crest of green hills aim for the largest one then look for a fence line ahead of you and moving away to your right. At the top of this line in a coll is a gate. Take this gate and you will pick up a loch on your left. Keep this on your left and maybe a 100m or so distance to avoid boggy ground. Eventually you will arrive at a gate and the road to Orinsay. Turn right and follow back to Lemreway.
Lewis and Harris Equine Care services
Welcome to Lewis and Harris equine care. My name is Izzy De Santis and I provide a freelance groom service throughout Lewis and Harris, but based from my home here at Croft Seventeen. I can provide groom and riding out services for your pony or horse as required. I am available seven days a week and have full public liability insurance.
Whatever your needs, be it, turnout, feeding, grooming, mucking out, exercising or more bespoke care, I can help.
I charge £20 for the first full hour and then £10 per subsequent hour or part thereof.
Mileage is calculated at 25p per mile from Lemreway.
Please message me to arrange to chat about your needs.
About me. I have owned horses throughout most of my life and currently have an ex racehorse called Jelly Bean. I worked for a number of years at a racing yard, as a groom and work rider and later spent time assisting an Intelligence Horsemanship Associate providing general yard care and riding challenging horses and participating in behaviour management training. I also compete, showjumping and cross country.
In 2023 I rode in the Mongol Derby. An international 1,000km horse race riding semi wild horses across a remote area of Mongolia.
I am a qualified Equine Veterinary Nurse and have spent the past seven years working in equine practice prior to my recent move to the Isle of Lewis.
I am experienced, confident, thorough and always adopt a horse centred approach.
If you need advice or help with your horse get in touch, either through my Facebook page : Lewis and Harris Equine Care or though this website.
Croft Seventeen FWEC services
This a new service to be provided by Izzy from Croft Seventeen starting in January 2025.
FAECAL WORM EGG COUNTS
Faecal worm egg counts (FWEC) will allow you to understand the level and type of infestation and enable targeted drenching and treatment in your flock, herd or horse. Getting it right will reduce unnecessary treatment and costs, provide the right intervention for your stock and help to reduce the increasing likelihood of parasite resistance to current available treatments.
Collect a FWEC envelope, follow the instructions and return your samples to Lewis Crofters between noon Thursday to noon Friday. We collect samples each Friday afternoon. The cost is £10 per pack.
We will forward your detailed results to you by email or text by the following Wednesday.
If the results are indicative of treatment required, you can then discuss the results and options with a Suitably Qualified Person (SQP) at Lewis Crofters, or your vet.
We specifically target screening for all common endoparasites including liver fluke.
Sampling can be animal specific or part of a larger flock or herd screening. We recommend the following practice:
· Test all stock before they move to new grazing land.
· Test to check to see if your current worming treatment has worked or access to new grazing has brought about a new infestation.
· For large groups of animals, we recommend whole grazing area random sampling of one per 10 animals. Horses should be one sample per animal.
A FWEC is useful during the following cycles and is available from us all year round. It can be a key part of your Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. Developing a routine of testing can enable early identification of parasitic infection. Horses every three months, sheep pre tupping and post lambing. Cattle early spring and late summer.
FWEC are provided by Izzy De Santis (RVN) from Croft Seventeen, Lemreway, HS2 9RD. Izzy is a Registered Veterinary Nurse.
Izzy had worked in equine and large animal veterinary practices before moving to the Isle of Lewis, where she continues to offer equine support (Lewis and Harris Equine Care) and actively crofts with sheep and cattle.
Follow this service on Facebook: Faecal worm egg count at Croft Seventeen Lemreway or contcat Izzy for more information and advice.