Island hopping holidays through South Uist,
North Uist and neighbouring Hebridean islands
Enjoy car touring holidays including the
Isle of North Uist, Isle of South Uist, Benbecula and Eriskay.
These islands
in the Outer Hebrides blend soft green pastures with high hills and
shell sand beaches that seem almost endless. Quiet places abound, where
you may enjoy the solitude and take time to contemplate.....
Berneray, said to be HRH Prince Charles’s favourite of the
Western Isles,, is the landing point for the short Calmac ferry
crossing to or from Harris. This tiny island is a gem, with
superb beaches and colourful machair flowers. Be sure to spend an hour
or two here, before or after crossing the short causeway that has
replaced the ferries from Berneray to North Uist.
Our hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation on these islands is all
close to the road which links the ferries at the northern and southern
ends of this section of the Western Isles.
An island of dark, rolling moorland, North Uist’s inland
fresh water lochs are a trout angler’s paradise, while the
west coast is punctuated by beautiful, soft shell-sand beaches and the
RSPB nature reserve at Balranald.
On the east coast, Lochmaddy, is the main town, with a ferry terminal
for the ferries sailing to Tarbert (Harris) and to Uig
(Skye). A visit to the arts centre at Taigh Chearsabhagh is
well worthwhile, to experience the arts, culture and heritage of the
islands in a friendly and stimulating environment.
Holidays in the Isle of North UistThe Isle of Benbecula –
Beinn na Faoghla - with its causeway links to North Uist and South
Uist, and its airport offering a daily service to Glasgow, is the main
communications and commercial centre of this prt of the Outer Hebrides.
Here you may try a round of golf, perhaps, or explore the local
heritage at the iron age fort at Nunton Steadings. Or comb some of the
miles of white sanded Atlantic beaches on the west coast like Shell Bay
or Culla Bay.
South of Benbecula, the Isle of South Uist – Uibhist a Deas -
is softer and greener than the islands to the north, with a central,
hilly spine. Again, the west coast is peppered with stunning white
shell-sand Atlantic beaches and flower strewn machair. The village of
Howmore is a worthwhile diversion, with its traditional thatched croft
houses, ruined churches and a beautiful beach.
Lochboisdale provides Calmac ferries to Oban on the mainland and to
Castlebay on the neighbouring island of Barra. This is an
area that's popular with our holiday guests for their accommodation
before or after taking the Barra ferry.
Anglers can experience some of the best salmon, sea-trout and brown
trout waters in Europe - while non-anglers will find it a great place
to buy smoked salmon.
Eriskay, linked to South Uist by a causeway, was the arrival point of
Bonnie Prince Charlie, but is perhaps more celebrated for its
connection with the SS Politician, which sank and lost its,
“Whisky Galore.” (The film, though, was
filmed maily on the neighbouring island of Barra.)
From Eriskay, if travelling south, you can continue your journey to the
Isle of Barra by the Calmac ferry service, which runs four times each
day.
|
ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS - when
contacting these providers, please mention Hebridean Hopscotch
Walking:
Particularly recommended during your holiday is a walk around part or
all of the Berneray
coast. The machair, which runs virtually the length of the
west
coast of all the islands, plus the many miles of white shell sand
beaches alongside, are inspiring and invigorating.
RSPB reserve:
Balranald warden, Jamie Boyle, will provide further advice on the
programme of summer organised walks for visitors on their holidays.
Also otter walks close to
Langass Lodge Hotel.
www.rspb.org.uk
or call 01876 560287.
Organised walks:
Brian Lowe, also working for the RSPB, normally leads weekly wildlife
walks in North Uist, orientated towards birds and otters. He
is
usually able to advise on privately organised walks for groups
staying in local accommodation.
Call 01876
510725.
Hebridean Adventures:
Otter walks in Berneray, 2 hours, £5 pp.
Hill walking beginners / advanced, £20 day pp.
Call of the Wild - Full or half day, from £40 pp.
Accompany
a stalker, learn about deer habitats and expect to see a stag when he
calls it to within as little as 50 feet. Take walking gear.
Wildlife 'hot spots' - half day tour with 4 x4 transport, aiming to see
black and red throated divers, sea eagles, golden eagles, otters, hen
harriers, etc. Up to 8 people, £40 pp.
Seven Island 4x4 day trip. Visiting the most interesting
tourist
attractions, including museums, salmon smokers, craft shops and
wildlife locations. Up to 8 people, £60 pp.
Eco-tours on the 67' yacht - Elinca. Aiming to view
sea-eagles,
peregrine falcons other seabirds and sea mammals. 2 - 3 hour trips from
Lochmaddy, £60 pp.
Full day rib-boat trip. Visit the Monach Islands (Eilean Heisgeir) to
view seals, nesting seabirds, plus a rich flora.
£80 pp.
See www.hebridean-adventures.co.uk for
the trips above and other ideas. Tel: 07767 071963
Golf:
Askernish Golf Club - possibly the friendliest in the world and
described on the BBC's Coast programme as, "The Holy Grail of Golf
Courses" - 18 tees on a legendary, 1891, Old Tom Morris
course, alongside the Atlantic ocean.
If there's
one course every golfer should play, to understand the game's history,
then this is it.
The course
has been
restored since 2007 and you can now play golf almost the way it might
gave been 100 years ago. Some challenging holes and just
£12 for 6 holes or £35 for 18, May-Oct. Winter rate
£25 per day - £100 buys a
year's country membership. Open seven days a week
and
club hire is usually available at reasonable cost. Handicap certificate
not required, no need
to book, simply pay in the clubhouse and play. A good idea to
phone 07900 387167 beforehand to check that you won't be arriving in
the middle of a competition or a group visit.
For cup and
medal dates check www.askernishgolfclub.com.
Benbecula Golf Club
- 9 testing holes, 18 tees, water features requiring great
judgement and club selection and some natural hazards such as rabbit
scrapes to add to the fun of the game! An unhurried game of
golf
on a flat course, £10 per day in the honesty box, open 7 days
a
week. Booking not normally needed.
www.benbeculagolfclub.co.uk
Sea Kayaking, surf kayaking,
power boating, rock climbing and abseiling:
Uist Outdoor Centre, at Lochmaddy, is run by Niall Johnson, who offers
extensive expertise and training in key adventure activities.
He
holds five major Instructor qualifications in four key disciplines and
heads a team of qualified and experienced instructors in what they
describe as, "delivering some of the finest adventure experiences
available on the planet." Day and longer activities
available;
phone for prices .
www.uistoutdoorcentre.co.uk
Smoked salmon:
Salar smoked salmon - “is a uniquely different product - a
delicious taste experience; succulent with a firm, flaky
texture...” Call at Salar Smokehouse, Lochcarnon, South Uist,
where you’ll find the perfect picnic snack. They
sell local
oatcakes, too, which go well with the salmon.
www.salar.co.uk
01870 610324.
Museum:
About 7 miles north of Lochboisdale, alongside the main north-south
road, Kildonan Museum is more a visitor centre, than just a
museum. It houses a collection of items collected
by local
Parish Priest, Father John Morrison, during the 1950s and
1960s.
Some of the collection is displayed within the rooms of a recreated
croft house. Kildonan is a good stopping off point for
refreshment during the day, with an excellent cafe.
Open April to
September, including Sunday afternoons.
|
