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North Uist (Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Tuath) is an island of the Outer Hebrides. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,657. It is connected by causeways to Benbecula via Grimsay, to Berneray, and to Baleshare. With the exception of the south east, the island is very flat, and covered with a patchwork of peat bogs, low hills and lochans, with more than half the land being covered by water. Some of the lochs contain a mixture of fresh and tidal salt water, giving rise to some complex and unusual habitats.
The main settlement on the island is Lochmaddy, a fishing port and home to a museum, an arts centre and a camera obscura. Ferries sail from the village to Uig on Skye, and also from Otternish to Leverburgh in Harris. Lochmaddy also has Taigh Chearsabhagh - a museum and arts centre with a cafe, small shop and post office service. Nearby is the Uist Outdoor Centre.
Other settlements include Carinish, Port nan Long and Scolpaig, home to the nineteenth century Scolpaig Tower folly.
North Uist has many prehistoric structures, including the Barpa Langass chambered cairn, the Pobull Fhinn stone circle and the Na Fir Bhreige standing stones.
The island is also known for its birdlife, including corncrakes, arctic terns, gannets, corn buntings and Manx shearwaters. The RSPB has a nature reserve at Balranald.
References
- Scottish Natural Heritage on the wildlife and habitats of Uist.
External links
"North Uist"