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A mini guide to
The Uists & Benbecula: getting there
Stops, stations and how to reach The Uists & Benbecula
Stops and stations
Getting to The Uists & Benbecula
Choose the stop closest to where you are going.
| Stop or station | Services | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Lochmaddy | CalMac ferry to Uig (Skye) | CalMac gives a crossing time of 1 hour 45 minutes; vehicle reservations are essential |
| Lochboisdale | CalMac ferries to Mallaig and Oban | CalMac strongly recommends reservations for vehicles and foot passengers |
| Benbecula Airport | Flights | The HIAL board (2 Nov 2026) listed flights to Glasgow and Stornoway |
| Berneray and Eriskay | CalMac ferries to Harris and Barra | Berneray to Leverburgh takes around an hour; Eriskay to Barra 40 minutes, according to CalMac |
Walking from nearby areas
- Barra & Vatersay: 52.6 km from The Uists & Benbecula, better by public transport
- Isle of Harris & Tarbert: 61.8 km from The Uists & Benbecula, better by public transport
- Isle of Lewis & Stornoway: 104.0 km from The Uists & Benbecula, better by public transport
Reaching The Outer Hebrides
Official travel information
Five CalMac routes link the Outer Hebrides with the mainland and Skye, and Highlands and Islands Airports run the airports at Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra. Vehicle space on the ferries is limited, so book ahead and check service status before you travel.
- CalMac → — ferries, timetables and service status
- Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) → — Stornoway, Benbecula and Barra airports
- Visit Outer Hebrides → — the islands' tourism site
- Comhairle nan Eilean Siar → — the Western Isles Council
- VisitScotland → — the national tourism site
- Traveline Scotland → — bus and ferry journey planner
- Historic Environment Scotland → — Calanais, Dun Carloway, Arnol, Rodel and Kisimul
- Scottish Outdoor Access Code → — responsible access on croft land and beaches
Times, fares and disruption change: use the operator pages above for live information.
Plan your journey here
Enter your starting point and Google Maps will show routes to The Uists & Benbecula. Public transport is selected; change it on the map. Check operator sites for live disruption.
While you are here
Things to see in The Uists & Benbecula
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
St Michael's Church, Eriskay
Roman Catholic church of 1903, built on the initiative of the Gaelic poet and priest Fr Allan MacDonald.
Barpa Langass
Neolithic chambered cairn about 5,000 years old, around 22 metres across and 5.5 metres high, on North Uist.
Pobull Fhinn
Prehistoric stone circle on North Uist near Langass; the Gaelic name can be translated as Fionn's people.
The Outer Hebrides
More areas to explore
Barra & Vatersay
Kisimul Castle, the beach airport and the sands of Vatersay
Open the mini guide →
Isle of Lewis & Stornoway
Stornoway, the Calanais Stones, blackhouses and the Butt of Lewis
Open the mini guide →
Isle of Harris & Tarbert
White beaches, the Bays, Tarbert and the church at Rodel
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Prince's Beach, Eriskay: Mike O'Shea, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- The Uists & Benbecula (area photo): Helen Spencer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- St Michael's Church, Eriskay: Euan Nelson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Barpa Langass: Tom Parnell, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Pobull Fhinn: Otter, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Barra & Vatersay: Conor Lawless from North Uist, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, source
- Isle of Lewis & Stornoway: LornaMCampbell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Isle of Harris & Tarbert: Zenit, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring The Outer Hebrides