Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
North Uist (Uibhist A Tuath)
POP 1550
North Uist, an island half-drowned by lochs, is famed for its trout fishing but also has
some magnificent beaches on its north and west coasts. For birdwatchers this is an earthly
paradise, with regular sightings of waders and wildfowl ranging from redshank to red-
throated diver to red-necked phalarope. The landscape is less wild and mountainous than
Harris but it has a sleepy, subtle appeal.
Little Lochmaddy is the first village you hit after arriving on the ferry from Skye.
There's a tourist office, a couple of stores, a bank with an ATM, a petrol station, a post of-
fice and a pub.
Sights
Balranald Nature Reserve
Birdwatchers flock to this Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) nature re-
serve, 18 miles west of Lochmaddy, in the hope of spotting the rare red-necked phalarope
or hearing the distinctive call of the corncrake. There's a
visitor centre
(admission free;
9am-6pm Apr-Aug)
with a resident warden who offers 1½-hour guided walks (£5, de-
part visitor centre 10am Tuesday, May to August).
WILDLIFE RESERVE
Taigh Chearsabhagh
(
01876-500293;
http://taigh-chearsabhagh.org
;
Lochmaddy; arts centre free, museum
£3; 10am-4pm Mon-Sat)
Taigh Chearsabhagh is a museum and arts centre that pre-
serves and displays the history and culture of the Uists, and is also a thriving community
centre, post office and meeting place. The centre's
cafe
(mains £3 to £7) dishes up
homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes.
ARTS CENTRE, MUSEUM
HISTORIC SITES
Bharpa Langass & Pobull Fhinn
A waymarked circular path beside the Langass Lodge Hotel (just off the A867, 6 miles
southwest of Lochmaddy) leads to the chambered Neolithic burial tomb of
Bharpa Lan-
gass
and the stone circle of
Pobull Fhinn
(Finn's People); both are reckoned to be around
5000 years old. There are lovely views over the loch, where you may be able to spot seals
and otters.
