Storonway, Isle of Lewis
Uig Bay
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Get a hire car, only way, follow the road out of Stornoway to Uig. 36 miles but will take 3/4 of an hour. You can't miss the bay its big.
You need a hire car to get around. Public transport is limited.
I stayed in Aird Uig an old RAF camp 5 miles from the bay. Sound bad but the units are all residential now and are mostly renevated. The people were great and the food was superb. Check out: www.extremehebrides.co.uk
There is no night life apart from at the beach or B & B. There is a restaurent next door which is French/Irish.
The food is excellent and the people friendly. Often needs booking in advance. See www.bonaventurelewis.co.uk favourite of polititians.
Not much apart from playing at the beach. The local community centre has good but basic facilities. The B & B owners have young children and are family friendly.
The B & B offers great food. Cost from £15 per person per night plus £12.50 for a 3 course evening meal. They will arrange lunch as well if wanted.
The restaurant will cost about £40 a head based on 2 sharing a bottle of wine. Not cheap but worth it.
Mostly light 12 to 15 mph winds. It can get very windy there, very few days of no wind at all. They have a weather diary on the website to give you some idea.
I have been over in May, July and September. 3 out of 5 good days of riding. When the wind direction was poor there is a Loch an 1hrs drive away which is waist deep and good from any direction. The wind tends to be Northerly in winter which is great as that is on/cross on shore but it is a cold wind.
Water is kept warmer by the gulf stream, not tropical though so wet suits are recommended. Rarely any waves on the bay but there are oother locations nearby if you want waves. The Outer Hebrides has some of the most cosistent surf in Euroupe.
None in the Bay, other areas do have rip currents and cliffs nearby.
Dave from The Western Isles Kite Company is a sound guy and one of the few kiters on the island. He has equipment for loan and spare parts/repair kites. He is always glad to be a kiting buddy.
Check out: www.powerkitesales.co.uk they run the B & B as well. Their other site is: www.extremehebrides.co.uk
Be nice to the locals. It is a new sport on the island. The Western Isles Kite Co. are working hard with the locals and council to make it a premier location. Some locals don't like kiting on a Sunday so go to a beach which is more hidden to avoid offence if possible. Dave can advise.
See their website for pictures. The sea really is Turquoise and the sky is ofetn crystal clear. Best thing is there are hardly any people there. Don't go if you expect nightclubs and bars. There are none, but you will have a laugh at the B & B they are really chilled, and excellent cooks.
The beach is a mile or so square. At high tide the water is knee to waist deep all over. The water stays fairly warm (12 C). Plenty of space for rigging on or near the beach. Almost no people around even in the summer.