Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Outer Hebrides, has very few farm shops in the usual sense, but crofts, smokehouses and fishing families sell what they produce direct. This guide covers four we could confirm: Croft 36 at Northton on Harris, Charles Macleod’s black pudding shop in Stornoway, Salar Smokehouse in the Uists and Lochmaddy Bay Prawns on North Uist.
You do not need to live on a farm to eat closer to one. A single stop you can return to, a short shopping list and a cool bag are a good start, and most of these places will tell you what came from their own land if you ask.
Which farm shop or picking farm should you choose?
On Harris, Croft 36 is the closest thing to a farm shop: croft-grown vegetables, baking and seafood from an honesty-box shed. In Stornoway, Charles Macleod sells its famous black pudding made on the premises.
In the Uists, Salar smokes salmon on site and Lochmaddy Bay Prawns sells shellfish from its own boat by pre-order in season. Island opening times change with the seasons and ferries, so always phone or check online first.
Check the farm’s current crops, opening times and prices before travelling. Picking seasons vary, and a farm shop may sell produce without offering pick-your-own visits.
- Croft 36 , Croft vegetables, baking and seafood at Northton, Harris
- Charles Macleod , Stornoway Black Pudding made on the premises since 1947
- Salar Smokehouse , Flaky smoked salmon from the Uists
- Lochmaddy Bay Prawns , Creel-caught shellfish from the family boat, North Uist
Croft 36
Map and location
36 Northton, Isle of Harris HS3 3JA. View Croft 36 on the map.
Contact: 01859 520779.
A Harris croft with an honesty-box shed
The owners took on the Croft 36 tenancy in 1997, drained the land and grew vegetables, selling them locally, at the Stornoway farmers’ market and from the croft. Seafood meals followed in 2010, then dressed crab from a kiosk, and in 2011 they built the shed that still runs on an honesty-box system.
Today it makes soups, quiche and meals with Leverburgh langoustines, crab and fish, grows vegetables on the machair and strawberries, salad and tomatoes in a polytunnel, and bakes butteries, bread, scones and tarts.
Visiting and buying
The shop opens Monday to Saturday from 11am until things sell out, and takeaway runs 12pm to 3pm. Visit Outer Hebrides gives the 2026 season as 29 May to 31 December, so call in winter before travelling.
Go early: the baking often sells out.
Croft 36: website and opening hours.
Charles Macleod
Map and location
Ropework Park, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2LB. View Charles Macleod on the map.
The home of Stornoway Black Pudding
Charles Macleod was founded in 1947 by Charles Menendez MacLeod on the site where the shop still stands, and he bought Crobeag Farm in South Lochs in 1958. Its Stornoway black, white and fruit puddings follow an original 80-year-old recipe and are cooked daily on the premises.
Stornoway Black Pudding has protected geographical indication (PGI) status, so it can only be made in the Stornoway area.
Visiting and buying
The shop opens Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm and is closed on Sundays.
It is in Stornoway town, an easy stop from the ferry, and also sells online with UK shipping.
Charles Macleod: website and opening hours.
Salar Smokehouse
Map and location
Salar Smokehouse, 6A Uachdar, Isle of Benbecula HS7 5LY. View Salar Smokehouse on the map.
Contact: 01870 610324.
A Uist smokehouse since the 1980s
Salar opened as a small business in South Uist around 1987, when the original owner designed and built his own kilns. Iain MacRury bought it in 2015 and relaunched the Salar brand.
Its award-winning flaky smoked salmon is made on the premises, and it employs about six local staff all year round.
Visiting and buying
Visit Outer Hebrides lists a shop with free parking. Opening hours are not published, and the tourism listing places the smokehouse at Lochcarnan, South Uist, so phone before you visit to confirm where to go.
Mail orders are dispatched Monday to Wednesday only.
Salar Smokehouse: website and opening hours.
Lochmaddy Bay Prawns
Map and location
Collection at Clachan Sands, North Uist HS6 5AY. View Lochmaddy Bay Prawns on the map.
Contact: 07765 402848.
Langoustines from their own fishing boat
Lochmaddy Bay Prawns was started in March 2020 by skipper DA Nicholson, who has fished for almost 40 years, and Tina Nicholson. It sells creel-caught langoustines, brown crab and squat lobsters caught only from its own fishing boat.
It now makes seafood platters and cooked seafood to order, and won Best Street Food at the 2024 Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards.
Visiting and buying
Collections are at Clachan Sands from April to October 2026, on Thursday, Friday or Saturday unless arranged otherwise, and are by pre-order only.
Order online up to seven days ahead, or by WhatsApp, text or email, then choose a collection slot. The 2026 season ends in October.
Lochmaddy Bay Prawns: website and opening hours.
Knowing a farm shop you can return to is also one of the most practical ways to be ready for disruption. Read The Be Ready Campaign: A UK Guide to Stocking Your Home With Healthy, Local Food, and use the Be Ready Map to find more local food across the UK.
Plan your farm visit, produce, quantities and picking dates
Choose one or two farms or farm shops that fit your route. Write down what you want, how much you need and what you will do with it when you get home. If one crop is unavailable, decide whether to choose a different farm, change the meal or return another day.
- Confirm the crop, public opening and any booking requirement.
- Ask whether you can pick yourself or buy already picked.
- Check the price unit, payment method and containers.
- Ask about access, parking and the correct visitor entrance.
Farm shop and fruit-picking questions
Where can I buy local food in the Outer Hebrides?
Croft 36 on Harris, Charles Macleod in Stornoway, Salar Smokehouse in the Uists and Lochmaddy Bay Prawns on North Uist all sell food they make or catch themselves.
Is Stornoway Black Pudding made in Stornoway?
Yes. Charles Macleod cooks its puddings daily on the premises in Stornoway, and the name has protected geographical indication status.
Are these places open in winter?
Some are seasonal. Lochmaddy Bay Prawns collects from April to October, and Croft 36 lists a season to 31 December. Phone ahead in winter.
Sources
- Croft 36
- Charles Macleod
- Salar Smokehouse
- Lochmaddy Bay Prawns
- Croft 36, Visit Outer Hebrides
- Charles Macleod: about us
- Salar Smokehouse, Visit Outer Hebrides
Research reviewed 27 October 2026. Farm and visitor sources support the descriptions above. No firsthand visit, current stock check or certification is claimed.