The Uists & Benbecula: Moorland and lochans in North Uist seen from the Pobull Fhinn stone circle, with one of its stones in the view

Un mini-guide de

The Uists & Benbecula

Machair, chambered cairns and causeways from Berneray to Eriskay

Bienvenue dans le quartier

Machair, chambered cairns and causeways from Berneray to Eriskay

North Uist, Benbecula and South Uist are joined by causeways, with Berneray to the north and Eriskay to the south, so you can drive the chain in a day. The west coasts are sandy beaches backed by machair, a low fertile grassland, and the east sides are hilly and almost empty; Beinn Mhòr, at 620 metres, is the highest point.

North Uist has the Neolithic cairn of Barpa Langass, the stone circle Pobull Fhinn and the RSPB reserve at Balranald. Benbecula has the airport and the ruins of Borve Castle. South Uist has Our Lady of the Isles, Kildonan Museum and the ruin of Ormacleit Castle, and on Eriskay Prince Charles Edward Stuart came ashore on 2 August 1745, at the start of the Jacobite rising.

Points forts

Par où commencer

Si vous n'avez que quelques heures, voici de bons endroits pour commencer.

Voir les 14 idées de visites

S'orienter

Sur la carte

The map shows The Uists & Benbecula and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.

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Bons plans d'initiés

Avant de partir

1

Use the causeways

All the islands from Berneray to Eriskay are joined by causeways, so one car can cover the chain. Allow time for single-track sections.

2

Watch for wildlife on the roads

Birds, sheep and cattle graze the machair beside the roads, so drive slowly through crofting townships.

3

Check seasonal hours

Several cafés and hotels change their opening through the year. Check websites, especially between October and April.

4

Book ferries in advance

CalMac says reservations are essential from Uig to Lochmaddy and strongly recommended at Lochboisdale.

Les conseils de la rédaction d'Britlens

Crédits photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits