Croft 5

25/05/2026

There hasn’t been as much activity on the croft this month (but lots of off-croft work).

Read more about May at Croft 5 in the latest blog post here:

https://croft5.scot/switch-off-off-croft/

I know most crofters are super busy at this time of year, but as my livestock aren't here yet I'm not facing the excitement or exhaustion of spring that the lambing season brings with it.

27/04/2026

The latest blog update from the apiary at Hebribees Honey

Read all about spring at the apiary in the latest beekeeping blog:

https://croft5.scot/beekeeping-update-spring-has-sprung-2026/

26/04/2026

Spring has Sprung here on the Isle of Lewis.

As improvements to the croft continue it's not just the bees that are busy! Read more in the latest blog post:

Nobody's Fool With April showers appearing through March, and a return to frosty and colder temperatures marking the start of April, the seasons have certainly tricked us and the bees here at the croft. Thankfully a warmer dry spell soon followed and April 19th has been marked by me and the bees as....

25/04/2026

Perfect camping weather here at Croft 5 this week, and looking set to continue!

For a wilderness camping experience why not pitch up at Enaclete, Uig, Isle of Lewis.

You have nearly 5 acres of campsite to yourself to:

Pitch where you like.
Explore.
Relax.
Enjoy the views.

Simple, wilderness camping. Overlooking the loch, by the stream, or tucked in amongst the stone walls of the blackhouse.

Only £35 a night for the whole site, not a pitch!

Perfect for those who really want to get away from it all!

Find out more at https://croft5.scot/wilderness-camping/

Explore Uig and the West side of Lewis at https://croft5.scot/explore-uig-and-the-west-side-of-lewis/


Or email [email protected] to arrange your stay!

16/04/2026

We are now live on Pitchup!

Choose where to pitch, from nearly 5 acres of land, and have it all to yourself!

https://www.pitchup.com/campsites/Scotland/Scotland/Hebrides/Isle_Of_Lewis/croft-5/

12/04/2026

Spring hasn't Sprung In many parts of the UK the bees are already fetching in the nectar from oil seed r**e and dandelion; beekeepers are splitting colonies, adding supers, seeing honey, and having concerns about swarming. But here in the Outer Hebrides the seasons lag and it is a nervous time to be...

07/04/2026

Balmy weather for bees. 1.2C yesterday morning. 14+ C today.

Happy to see some activity on the croft though (that isn't ditching or fencing!).

29/03/2026

March seems to have taken a spring back but we're still moving forward here at the croft. Read more in the latest blog post at https://croft5.scot/march-forward-fall-back/

Spring Forward As the clocks moved forwards an hour for whatever made-up reason, and the days begin to become longer than the nights, March seems to have taken a step backwards. March has been the opposite of February as the island was hit by a string of windy and wet weather fronts. Warmer than the

01/03/2026

Has spring arrived on the Isle of Lewis?

The first signs of spring have arrived at Croft 5 today, with the opening of the daffodils.

I planted these last autumn, to add the first hues of colour and to give an indication when the spring season starts here in the Outer Hebrides.

March is a time to keep an eye on the colonies, look for activity and signs of pollen going in, and indicating that a new round of brood is beginning ready for the nectar flows.

It's easy to get excited and jump ahead by adding pollen patties to stimulate the queen into laying. I think that March is a month to wait and see, and to hold back a little bit.

Too early and the bees could grow and outpace the available pollen and nectar flow. Too late and I wouldn't be maximising the colonies expansion for early summer splits or for that all exciting honey!

So today I'll accept that the daffodils know it's the 1st March, the bees probably do, and I'll wait to see if the weather forecast does!

The bees haven't taken a look out today, so I'm guessing they know it's not quite time yet!

14/02/2026

Catch-up with all the happenings at the croft with the latest blog post, published now: https://croft5.scot/boxes-and-rushes/

Now that January is February things seem to be moving at pace here on Croft 5, with boxes arriving, grants approved, and the yearly planer completed.