North Uist lies centrally in the Western Isles chain about 40 miles west of the Scottish mainland. It is a small island of just 117 sq. miles and is linked by causeways to the other Outer Hebridean islands of South Uist, Benbecula and Berneray.
The main industries on the island are crofting and fishing, but interestingly it was seaweed processing that used to be one of the main occupations (seaweed is still used today to help fertilize the land). Sadly, the population has been in general decline, the 2001 census recording a population of just 1,271. With improved communication and the internet there are new people moving to the island, but the cost of living is still a problem with most essentials being ferried in from the mainland.
The main town in North Uist is Lochmaddy which has a ferry port, bank, Post Office, hotel, pub, petrol station, grocer, shops and tourist centre. There are four main hotels: Lochmaddy, Temple View, Tigh Dearg and Langass Lodge which serve bar and evening meals. The Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre has a good cafe and is well worth a visit.
The island remains thankfully un-spoilt by tourism and is the perfect place for rest and relaxation in some outstandingly beautiful scenery. The island is fairly flat with it’s highest hills South Lee and Eaval only reaching 898 and 1,139 feet respectively. The eastern side is an incredible patchwork of sea and freshwater lochs & lochans which makes for some truly breathtaking views and sunsets. In fact, water makes up an astonishing one third of the islands surface! The west of the island, bordering onto the Atlantic, is famous for it’s “Machair”* with miles upon miles of the most fabulous sandy beaches and gorgeous blue water that must be amongst the best in the world. There are also magnificent beaches in the north too and on Berneray. *(Machair is Gaelic for an extensive, low-lying fertile plain and is a scientific name for coastal dune pasture that has been locally cultivated. It is one of the rarest habitats in Europe and the Machair in the Uists, Barra and Tiree have a very high shell content, often 80 or 90%).
The island is home to the Balranald, 1500 acre, RSPB nature reserve which covers a wide range of island habitat. Keen birdwatchers may see Corncrakes, Arctic Terns, Corn Buntings and Manx Shearwaters. If you are interested in history there are numerous ancient historical sites dotted throughout the island, many of which are in surprisingly good condition. The “Barpa Langass”, 7 miles southwest of Lochmaddy, is a huge chambered burial cairn (c.3,000BC) that’s well worth a visit as is “Pobull Fhinn”, a small stone circle on the edge of Loch Langass. The ruins of the medieval monastery “Teampull na Trionaid” can also be very atmospheric.
If you are a keen fisherman there are hundreds of lochs to tempt a North Uist trout from, not to mention the fantastic sea-trout and Salmon. It’s worth checking out this website: www.fishhebrides.com. Fishing permits are best obtained from the Lochmaddy Hotel which is also worth visiting for it’s fantastic fresh seafood and bar snacks. The Langass Lodge is also well worth a visit for it’s outstanding local seafood and game.
If you are looking to participate in some out door sports the Lochmaddy Uist Outdoor Centre can arrange a range of outdoor sports including windsurfing, scuba-diving, rock climbing and kayaking (The beach at Sollas is one of the best surfing beaches in the world). For wildlife watchers there is every chance of seeing wild Otters. The adjacent Monach Islands are home to around 9000 grey seal pups born every year. There are 11 species of whale and dolphin, 20,000 grey seals and countless wading birds and rare habitats such as the flower-laden aforesaid Machair land.
The North Uist Highland Games are usually held in mid July with Agricultural shows around the end of July/early August.
North Uist can be reached by Caledonian MacBrayne car ferry from Uig on Skye in 2 hours and from Oban via South Uist in around 6 hours. You can also fly there via the airport at Benbecula from Glasgow on a daily British Airways flight (excluding Sundays).
North Uist is a beautiful, wild and untamed environment that nature lovers will find a joy. The islanders have a fantastic community spirit and are very welcoming – so go there and enjoy!