The Isles of Lewis and Harris are famed for their roadside honesty shops and stalls. These can take the form of painted boxes or sheds selling delicious fresh produce, baked goods or crafts.
The goods normally have a price tag and tins for putting notes in and taking change out.
Croft 36, Northton, Isle of Harris
Croft 36 sells an amazing array of butteries, including lobster, crab, langoustine and ham, plus plain and cheddar butteries. They sell veg curry pasties, meat pasties.
Plus cinnamon butteries, belgian chocolate butteries, frangipane tarts, scones and muich more.
See their website at https://www.facebook.com/Croft36/?locale=en_GB
Email: croft36northton@yahoo.co.uk.
In short
Roadside honesty shops on Lewis and Harris are small unstaffed sheds and boxes selling home baking, produce and crafts, where you leave payment in a tin and take your own change. Croft 36 at Northton on Harris is the best known. Most take cash only and popular ones sell out by early afternoon in summer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a roadside honesty shop?
A small unstaffed shed, hut or painted box at the roadside selling local produce, home baking, eggs or crafts. Goods are priced and you leave the money in a tin or box, taking your own change. They rely entirely on trust and are a long-standing part of island life.
Do honesty boxes on Harris and Lewis take card payment?
Traditionally no, and many still take cash only. Some now have a card reader or a QR code, but do not count on it: carry small notes and coins if you intend to buy from them.
When are the honesty shops open?
Most are open in daylight hours through the season and are simply left unlocked, but stock depends on what has been baked or picked that day. Popular ones sell out by early afternoon in summer.
Where are the best honesty shops on Harris?
Croft 36 at Northton is the best known, selling butteries, pasties, tarts and scones. Others appear and disappear along the west coast road, so keep an eye out as you drive.