In 2020, Paul and Sarah swapped life in the Cotswolds for the wide skies and salt-tinged air of the Isle of Lewis—and never looked back. From the moment they arrived, they were captivated by the island’s rugged beauty, the rhythm of the tides, and the quiet sense of belonging that comes with living on the edge of the Atlantic.

Today, they run a small working croft overlooking Loch Kinhoulavig, where a lively trio of dogs keep them company alongside their flock of Hebridean and Herdwick sheep. Life here is shaped by the seasons—whether that’s lambing in spring, haymaking in summer, or simply enjoying the ever-changing light over the moorland and sea.

When they’re not tending to the croft, you’ll find Paul and Sarah out on the water: swimming in crystal-clear bays, gliding across the loch on a paddle board, kayaking along the coast, or exploring hidden coves by boat.

Now, they’re inviting guests to share in their love of the Hebrides. The second floor of their home has been transformed into a cosy holiday retreat, offering visitors a chance to experience the charm of Lewis and Harris first-hand—wake to the sound of seabirds, breathe in the fresh sea air, and discover the unique magic that made Paul and Sarah fall head over heels for this remarkable place.

Nestled on the western shores of Lewis, the quiet settlement of Linshader (Gaelic: Linsiadar) is a hidden gem for those seeking the raw beauty and timeless serenity of the Outer Hebrides. Perched at the entrance to Loch Kinhoulavig—an inlet of East Loch Roag—Linshader sits directly opposite the famed Callanish standing stones, offering both tranquillity and proximity to one of Scotland’s greatest ancient landmarks.

Spread along a single-track lane, the settlement is composed of scattered crofts and the remnants of an 18th-century Tacksman’s villa—an elegant stone house that stands as a testament to the area's layered history and architectural heritage. Over the decades, Linshader evolved from a centralized farmstead into the dispersed, crofting community visible on mid-19th-century maps—its structures gradually blending into the rugged, glacially sculpted terrain of Lewis.

Though modest in scale, Linshader’s location is strategic for exploring Lewis’s prehistoric and natural wonders. A short journey across the water brings you to Callanish, while nearby sites include Neolithic monuments, Iron Age brochs, and mist-clad lochs that charm both the eye and the soul. The landscape here is striking—windswept, wild, and deeply atmospheric—a place where the weather, wildlife, and ancient stones feel inseparable from the land's enduring spirit.

For guests staying in our holiday let, Linshader offers a rare opportunity to step into the quiet heart of Lewis—to wake with sea air in your lungs, walk amid Gaelic-speaking neighbours, and feel the pull of a landscape shaped over millennia. It’s a tranquil, evocative introduction to island life—rich with culture, history, and the wild, persistent beauty of the Hebridean coast.