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PlacesOuter Hebrides : North Uist & Berneray |
  
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The island of North Uist is one of the larger of the Hebrides, covering an area of 115 square miles, but with a population of just 1800. Its north and west coasts offer several fine sandy beaches while the east coast is indented by numerous sea lochs and lochans. The principal settlement is Lochmaddy which has a population of around 300 and is the location of the tourist information centre, hotel, hospital, bank and post office. Access to North Uist is obtained via the causeway from Benbecula and South Uist. Ferry services operate from Uig and Tarbert on Skye to Lochmaddy. Berneray is now joined to North Uist by a causeway. It is a small island about 3.5miles across at its longest and 2 miles wide. The west coast has a fine sandy beach and views across Boreray and Pabbay. The east coast is where most of its 135 population live and has some nice camping spots with views across the Sound of Harris. |
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Baleshare
Baleshare [Baile Sear] is a small island joined at low
tide to North Uist and now permanently joined by a
causeway. It is composed mainly of sand dunes and can
provide some nice camping grounds. It is also possible
to see the Monarch Islands 8 miles off the west coast
of Baleshare.
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Baleshare |
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Hosta
Probably the place to find the most consistent surf on
the Uists. There is a small settlement here, but it is
mainly a grass covered sand dune area. The silver sand
beach of Traigh Stir can hold some huge swells and is
likely to have a wave when every else on the Uists is
flat...I've never seen it without at least a small
wave. In the cliffs of Tigh A Ghearraidh to the south
of Hosta is a natural rock arch and blow hole. During
westerly Atlantic storms the waves hit this coastline
with such force that water spouts out of this vent to a
height of more than 60m!!
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A small wave at Hosta, North Uist |
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Vallay Strand
Vallay Strand is a large sandy shallow lagoon at high
tide, perfect for flat water windsurfing or
kitesurfing. At low tide it's a large sandy beach which
is perfect for kite-mountainboarding. A perfect camp
site can be found on its eastern edge.
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Vallay Strand, North Uist |
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Solas
The village of Solas is home to the local supermarket
(Hebrides style) and is the place to head to stock up
on essentials. A short trip down one of the tracks
towards the ocean and then a little walk brings you to
the beach of Traigh Lar. A long, crescent shaped beach
that provides plenty of opportunity for beach break
surf.
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The walk from Solas to Traigh Lar. |
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Berneray
The beuatiful island of Berneray joined to North Uist
by a causeway is a place not to miss. The views from
the beach on its east coast across the Sound of Harris
to Harris are spectacular. The long white, sand dune
backed beach along its west and north coasts offer
perfect walks in solitude and the short climb to the
top of Beinn Shleibhe is equally rewarding. For those
camping, the shower facilities at the harbour may be
more than welcome.
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The view across the Sound of Harris from Berneray |
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Other Interesting Sites
The following is a list of interesting sites on North
Uist and Berneray that you may wish to visit.
North Uist is home to many more historical and prehistorical sites. If you are interested in these things, information can be found in the many books on sale at the tourist information centre in Lochmaddy. |
Scolpaig Tower, one of the many historical sites on North Uist. |
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