About The Family

Neil and Rhoda Macleod look forward to welcoming you to the peace and comfort of Kabuis and and, apart from taking care of every practical detail of your stay, love meeting new people and taking time out to talk of the area, the village, the Hebrides and its heritage and culture.

Rhoda was born and brought up right here at 25 South Shawbost, as were generations of her family before her. Rhoda's father, the late Angus Murray, was a much-loved elder in the local church and an honoured war hero with an amazing story of survival at sea - see ATLANTIC HERO.

Neil hails from Stornoway, but was promoted to Shawbost style when he had the happy fortune to meet and win Rhoda. And Neil's mother, the late Mae MacLeod, was born on the remote and celebrated isles of St Kilda - to which, in her last years, she paid a memorable return: see THE GIRL FROM ST KILDA.

Neil and Rhoda's daughter, Fiona, spent years abroad working in the tourist sector after graduating from Leeds Metropolitan University in Physical Education. These days she pounds the beat with Thames Valley Police, but  comes home as often as she can.

Innis MacLeod, precious son and brother, died tragically in December 2007, still only thirty years old.  Innis was widely known as an outstanding Gaelic singer, winning in 1991 the prestigious Boys' Silver Medal at the Royal National Mod - and, a decade later, added the Gold Medal,  the highest honour in Gaeldom.   On his native island, though - and especially in Shawbost - Innis will be best remembered for unfailing courtesy, his constant good humour - despite two serious accidents and crippling illness - and great, practical kindliness.

“This is a tribute to my late brother Innis.
click here to watch and especially enjoy my much loved brother singing one of his favourite Gaelic songs. 
Missing you so much, love Fiona”

The family's completed by Rusti, the Macleod's friendly, distinctly adorable King Charles Spaniel, who recently succeeded the late and greatly beloved Sam.

Neil and Rhoda run Kabuis with the simplest of mottos.

"To us, there are no strangers," says Rhoda.

"There are just friends we haven't met yet."