A long-standing campsite on the Isle of Lewis is set to close after the managing committee was unable to secure funding to maintain safe operations.
Ardroil Grazings Committee has run the site overlooking Traigh Mhòr in Uig for many years. The location includes 20 caravan pitches, ten for camper vans, and attracts campers from across Europe.
The site’s access road has deteriorated due to high traffic, and the utility block, provided by the Grazings Committee around 20 years ago, no longer meets safety standards.
The Committee approached Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to take over the road, which also serves four private properties for refuse collection, but no agreement was reached. Attempts to secure funding from the Crown Estate and other sources were also unsuccessful.
Simon Scott, chair of Ardroil Grazings Committee, explained the challenges: “This has been on the agenda for six years, and we have got nowhere. We have been doing patchwork repairs to the road, but it has now gone beyond that.”
”I know the council’s funding is tight, and they will not accept responsibility. But that leaves us in an impossible position. We are liable if anything goes wrong, and it’s a matter of time before something serious happens. There was already one inquiry last summer about who was liable for damage.”
Mr Scott also commented on the utility block, noting that it is “not fit for purpose and would not pass Health and Safety.” He told the Stornoway Gazette that if the road issue could be resolved, a partial opening might be feasible, with advice provided to visitors regarding the lack of facilities.
The cost estimate for repairing the road is approximately £70,000, while replacing the utility block could reach £200,000.
The closure has drawn local frustration, particularly as Uig has been a centre for salmon farming for decades but receives limited Crown Estate funding. The area is also largely excluded from renewable energy projects, limiting avenues for local investment in infrastructure.
For outdoor hospitality professionals, the situation highlights the ongoing challenges of maintaining small private campsites in remote areas. Access and utilities are critical to operations, and reliance on limited external funding or local authority support can directly affect viability.
Understanding and planning for long-term infrastructure costs is increasingly important for sites aiming to attract international visitors while maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations.