North UIst

How do I get to North Uist?   You can fly to Benbecula with Flybe from Belfast, Barra, Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Guernsey, Inverness, Isle of Man, Jersey, Kirkwall, London (Gatwick), Manchester, Norwich, Southampton, Sumburgh and Stornoway. Most of these flights are via Glasgow or Stornoway. The Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry leaves from Uig on Skye and lands at Lochmaddy. Also, there is a Caledonian Macbrayne Car Ferry services from Harris to nearby Berneray (which is linked to North Uist by a causeway). To travel throughout Scotland and the UK, you can book your tickets through The Trainline.

How do I get around North Uist?   There are Buses between the main villages of Lochmaddy, Sollas, Tigharry, Bayhead, Clachan and Newtonferry. Car hire is available from Maclennan's Self-Drive in Balivanich and from Ask Car Hire in Liniclate on Benbecula. Cycles can be hired from Morrisons Cycle Hire in Carinish. Taxi's are available fron Alda's Taxi's in Lochmaddy. Tours around the Outer Hebrides are available through Shearings Holidays.

What's worth visiting on North Uist?  The Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum in Lochmaddy has changing displays of local life and history on North Uist as well as Shop and Cafe. Barpa Langass is a huge chambered burial Cairn about 7 miles south of Lochmaddy. Scolpaig Tower is built on an islet in Loch Scolpaig and can be reached across a trail of stepping stones. The Uist Animal Visitor Centre is a Farm located in Bayhead. The Farm gives you access to rare scottish breeds such as Eriskay Ponies. The St Kilda View Point was finished in 2009 and offers spectacular views to the off-shore islands including the Monachs and St Kilda, and provides information on the location and names of places of interest.

Where can I stay on North Uist?  There are a few Hotels in North UIst such as the Tigh Dearg Hotel in Lochmaddy, Langass Lodge near Locheport and the Lochmaddy Hotel at Bayhead. There is also Bagh Alluin on Baleshare, Rushlee House and Redburn House in Lochmaddy, all of which offer Bed and Breakfast. Uist Outdoor Centre offers bunkhouse accommodation in 4-person bunk rooms. Self Catering is available at Lochside near Lochmaddy.

Are there any books/DVD's about North UIst?  North Uist in History and Legend by Bill Lawson, North Uist by Erskine Beveridge, Uists and Barra (Pevensey Island Guide) by Francis Thompson, Poems and Sketches Inspired by North Uist by Mary Lewis 

Any other information on North Uist?  The Balranald RSPB Reserve on North Uist is one of the last breeding grounds of the Corncrake, which is one of Europe's most endangered birds.

Other islands in Outer Hebrides: See pages for Barra, Benbecula, Berneray, Eriskay, Grimsay, Harris, Lewis, Mingulay, South Uist, Taransay, Vatersay