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- South Hebrides
South Hebrides North Uist Benbecula South Uist Barra Western Isles
The southern islands of the Western Isles consist of North Uist, South Uist, Benbecula and Barra as well as many other smaller islands.
They are all different in character but contain a range of landscapes including lochs, mountains and a coastline backed with the flower-rich machair grassland. Like all the Outer Hebridean islands walking and outdoor activities are popular meaning that there aren't so many touristy attractions which in itself makes this a desirable destination.
North Uist Tourist Information Hebrides
Sandy beaches fringed with machair around the west coast, hundreds of freshwater lochans, sea lochs and rocky shores on the east of the island are much of what characterises North Uist.
The island is twelve miles wide and eighteen long and falls between the Isle of Berneray and the Sound of Harris to the north and Benbecula to the south. Causeways link North Uist to both Benbecula and South Uist.
Lochmaddy is the main settlement on North Uist as well as the main ferry port for the island. There is a Information Centre in Lochmaddy open Apr-Oct on Pier Road, Lochmaddy, Isle of North Uist HS6 5AA. Tel: 01876 500321. Fax: 01876 500321.
The town also has a post office, general store, bank hotel & B&B accommodation and the Lochmaddy Hotel has a restaurant as well as bar that serves as the town's pub. Other accommodation can be found in Cairnish, Grimsay, Bayhead and Houghharry. Over on the north west of the island is the recent addition of a 9-hole golf course created and maintained by volunteers. Sollas Golf Course is on crofters' machair so sheep and cows are often hazards during the winter. There is currently no fee for a round of golf but donations are welcomed. Email: webmaster@sollasgolfcourse.co.uk
South Uist Tourist Information
South Uist is the largest of the southern Hebridean islands. It is linked to Benbecula by a causeway. The west of South Uist is largely covered in machair with 20 miles of gorgeous beaches in sheltered bays. The east has a backdrop of a stunning range of hills, the highest being Beinn Mhor at 620 metres. This is excellent walking country. Try the Pick a Walk facility on the Walk the Hebrides link right for walks on South Uist.
The main road runs north to south through the island but you'll have to venture off this to see the traditional crofting villages and beaches. The island has Roman Catholic roots as opposed to the Protestant North Uist.
Lochboisdale in the south east of the island is South Uist's main town on the east coast. This is where the ferry docks on South Uist and where the island's tourist office is based. South Uist Tourist Information, Pier Road, Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist HS8 5TH. Tel: 01878 700286. Fax: 01878 700286 Open: April-October. The town also has a bank, post office, garage, grocers, public toilets and a supermarket three miles west out of town.
A causeway at Ludag in the south of the island links South Uist to the island of Eriskay.
Benbecula Tourist Information
Benbecula falls between North Uist and South Uist. It is linked to both these islands by causeways. Its main settlement is Balivanich in the north west of the island an is the administrative centre for the Uists and Benbecula.
The west coast is largely cultivated whereas the east is a mix of freshwater lochs, moorland, bog and deeply indenting sea lochs. Craigstrome near Ruabhal is Benbecula's highest hill at 124 metres.
Barra Tourist Information
Castlebay is the main and only settlement on Barra and is where the ferries drop you off. In the 19th century it was a herring port where hundreds of boasts would moor to offload catches for the curing and packing facilities on land. This has long gone although the castle on an islet in the bay, Kisimul Castle, still exists which is open to visitors between Apr-Sept. This was the ancestral home of the MacNeil clan but was burnt down in the 18th century. It was later restored.
Barra Heritage Centre is also worth a visit to find out about the history and culture of the island.
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