Alpacan Alpacas of the Outer Hebrides

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We are a small family-run croft in the Outer Hebrides, on the Isle of Lewis, situated 10 minutes drive from the main town of Stornoway.
We offer alpaca experiences for all.
Hello, I'm Kate, and together with my husband Johnny I run 'Alpacan: Alpacas of the Outer Hebrides'. The croft has been in my family for 200 years. Since 2020, it has also been the home to 4 gorgeous alpaca boys: Lachlan, Merlin, Murdo and Oran. Our boys are all halter-trained and we offer Hebridean Alpaca Experiences; these are 'Meet and Greet' or a 'Summer Croft Trek'.You will certainly have a memory to take home, along with plenty of opportunities for photos and an alpaca selfie!
We can tailor your alpaca experience to suit your requirements: contact us and we'd be happy to discuss these with you.
The 'Meet and Greet' lasts 1–1.5hrs and is suitable for everyone. It includes helping to feed the alpacas, alpaca facts, and plenty of opportunities for great photos.
The 'Summer Croft Treks', available at certain times of the year , last 1.5–2hrs and involve a brief introduction to alpacas and safety information. You will then meet our alpacas and we will trek down the croft. You will have lots of chances to take photos against the stunning backdrop of a Hebridean beach. You may even spot some seals or otters in our fabulous bay!
The 'Croft Treks' are suitable for those able to walk over rough croft ground. Because we're in the Hebrides, the ground is often wet so suitable footwear is essential. Treks are not suitable for under-5s. If part of a family group, however, under-5s may come accompanied by a non-alpaca-handling adult.
Under-10s can share an alpaca on a double lead with another adult.
If the weather is kind , then we'll 'alpaca picnic' and have time to sit and enjoy beach views.
To keep your alpaca experience extra special, we keep each session to single family/friend groups only, with a maximum of 8 people per booking.
Stunning views of Tràigh Chuil/Coll Beach at the bottom of the croft, looking south across Broad Bay
Lachlan is our oldest alpaca, born in 2016. He is the risk assessor of the group and will often stand back and keep a watchful eye on things.
Merlin was born in 2017 and is a very confident alpaca. He is usually the first up for food and will happily pose for photos.
Murdo was also born in 2017. He is the goofball of the group and loves to come and say hello.
Oran is currently our youngest alpaca, born in 2019. He is very friendly and will happily eat out of your hand and pose for photos.
Hi , I’m Kate, and I am the owner of our gorgeous alpacas. I became interested in alpacas when we took over the family croft in 2016 and decided to diversify from the usual sheep or cattle. As I am a complete yarn fanatic, alpacas seemed the way to go. Our alpacas get sheared in June, and go from giant fluff-balls to skinny, leggy creatures. The fleece is then sent away for processing into yarn. Alpacas come in 22 different shades – currently we have 3 out of the 22!
I am also a paediatric nurse, working shifts at the local hospital, so I am not always available to run alpaca experiences on a daily basis – I need to work to keep the alpacas in the manner to which they've become accustomed!
Johnny, husband and all-round fixer of the croft, builder of shelters, repairer of fences, feeder of animals – essential to the running of the business!
I'm sure he'd rather the quiet life, but he ended up on the Outer Hebrides, with alpacas, ponies, dogs, cats, ducks, and hens. Oh, and two rabbits!
As well as alpacas, we also have two wonderful Shetland ponies that we have affectionately christened 'the Barrels'. They are Bressay and Fetlar, and are real characters! We don't ride them, but they love to have a good scratch and a sneaky carrot!
We also have two rabbits, Tallulah and Rudy (both girls) who will happily take some dandelion leaves or parsley from you. They love to jump and binky around, and can often be found sitting on top of their hutch.
You'll also probably meet our various hens and ducks that also live on the croft. The hens are free-range, a mix of large breed and Silkie hens. Both hen and duck eggs are often available in our croft honesty box .
Please be aware that this is an outdoor event. The weather in the Hebrides is often wet and stormy, and if this is the case then we may have to cancel the booking for your own and our alpacas' comfort. We shall either reschedule or refund.
Please wear suitable clothing and shoes. The ground is often damp and uneven, so sensible footwear is required. Wear warm clothing: layers are probably best, as our wind can often be very chilly.
Children are most welcome at Alpacan – in fact, alpacas have a real connection with wee ones. Please take into account, though, that because they'll be up close to the animals, children need to be calm and respectful towards our alpaca and animal friends. Alpacas can be alarmed by loud sounds and sudden movements, so children need to be closely supervised.
Children must be accompanied by a paying adult
No dogs allowed.
No smoking allowed.
If you do have to cancel, please get in touch. We realise circumstances can change – if they do, please let us know and we can reschedule your booking and allow your space to be enjoyed by others.
And finally – DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!
A relaxed, informal experience, where you'll learn some fascinating alpaca facts, help feed the alpacas, and have plenty of opportunities for photos. Lasts 1–1.5hrs
Meet and Greet is suitable for all ages, though all children must be supervised and accompaniedby a paying adult. Maximum 8 people, with a ratio of 1 adult per 3 children
12+ / Adult £12
Children 1 - 12 £7
Children under 1 Free
Only available at certain times during summer due to croft and animal management.
Our croft trek is suitable for family and friend groups, with a maximum of 8 people. If more than four people are booked, then obviously alpacas must be shared. The trek involves walking down the gentle slope of the croft, on ground that can often be wet, so please wear suitable shoes/wellies. Once we have walked down towards the shore we'll have time to let the alpacas have a snack while you can enjoy some tea/coffee/juice and some very tasty locally-made alpaca biscuits and cakes.
12+ / Adult £20
5 - 12 £10
Children under 5 free, but must be supervised by a non-handling adult.
Please let me know at time of booking if their are any dietary requirements
Total number per group, including children, is 8
Although times are suggested in the booking calendar , we are very flexible. If the date suits but the time doesn't , then please get in touch and we'll see what we can do.
If you're going to have a special event like a birthday party, or if you're planning an engagement or just a get-together with friends, then please get in touch. We'll see what we can do to accommodate you and your friends and family. Please remember that alpacas are for all ages – we recently had an 80-year-old celebrate a birthday with us !
We offer a lovely postcard Gift Voucher with envelope.
Prices - 12 + /Adult £12
1 - 12yrs £7
A fun personalised alpaca video message can be included for you to send to the recipients on the day.
Additional cost of Gift Voucher and video message £1.00
Please contact us for further information
29 Coll
Back
Isle of Lewis
HS2 0LP
B895, Col, HS2 0JP, United Kingdom
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