Isle of Benbecula - See Map on Page 8

Isle of North Uist and Isle of Berneray - see map on Page 8

NORTH UIST is a landscape of fresh and salt water 56 BAYHEAD SHOP AND FUEL: Licensed convenience lochs, with miles of sandy beaches, and cultivated crofts, store with Post Ofﬁ ce & petrol station. Our wide range popular with walkers, bird watchers, motor homers and of fresh foods & groceries features local products. cyclists. The road along the west side of the island Newspapers & fresh baking available daily. Open Mon-Sat passes the Westford Inn (73) (page 8), an excellent 8-6pm. Tel: 01876 510257. On B865 at Bayhead, HS6 5DS. place for meals, and Balranald R.S.P.B Nature Reserve. CLADDACH KIRKIBOST COMMUNITY CENTRE Café It follows the machair (fertile coastal grassland bordering serving local produce and homebaking. Also computer the sand dunes). The eastern side is mainly a water internet access, local information, nursery services, and world, and is a ﬁ sherman’s and bird watcher’s paradise. public toilets.

LOCHMADDY is the largest village in North Uist and is R.S.P.B. NATURE RESERVE at Balranald. 57 also the port where the ferry arrives from Uig on Skye. Balranald is famous for its corncrakes, now The Loch itself is designated a European marine site one of Europe’s most endangered species. (special area of conservation) giving recognition to The circular nature trail through the croft land the wonderful marine landscapes and diverse wildlife. of the reserves is 3 miles (4.5 km) and takes Facilities in the village include a Tourist Information 2-3 hours. The trail goes through wildﬂ ower- Centre, a very good museum and heritage centre called rich machair and round a bird-rich headland. A Taigh Chearsabhagh. The village also has a number of wide selection of wildlife can been seen, from serviced accommodation providers and places to eat. wading birds to the elusive otter.

54 THE ISLE OF BERNERAY lies at the northern BEACHES are a huge attraction on North Uist and end of the Uists, and has a very active Berneray. Traigh Lingeigh has a huge expanse of pure community with some signifi cant attractions, white shell sand, crystal clear waters and a safe shallow mainly cultural, and related to the wonderful sandy bay suitable for swimming and snorkelling. There scenery. The landscape is mostly agricultural, are also picnic tables and benches. The West Beach with corn fi elds on the western side of the on Berneray is a three mile stretch of wide, clean and island on the Machair (sand based grassland). often deserted sand. Behind all of the beaches is the Corncrakes and other long grass nesting birds machair - green grassy plains covered in a mass of are common in early summer. amazing wild fl owers in the spring and summer.

The village has a shop and café, Berneray TRINITY TEMPLE is a historic ruin listed as of 58 Shop and Bistro (55) (page 8) a picturesque European signifi cance and possibly Scotland’s fi shing harbour, a post offi ce and the Caledonian oldest University. The building is the remains MacBrayne pier for the connection to the Isle of of a medieval monastery and college founded Harris. On the north of Berneray is a very scenic by Beathag, daughter of Somerled. The walk, with views towards the hills of Harris. building has been extended up to the 16th For more information about Berneray and its century but destroyed after the Reformation. history, the island has a very good museum and Again restored in the 16th Century by Dotair historical centre (see picture on the right). Ban and recently renovated in 2011. Isle of Benbecula - see map on Page 8

BENBECULA in Gaelic is Beinn na Faoghla which means Mountain of the Ford. This is a MacLeans very apt name for the island and its solitary Bakery & hill, Rueval, which is in fact a stepping stone Butchers 60 between North and South Uist. The islands are BALIVANICH GRAMSDALE connected by a series of causeways, but once £ upon a time crossing to the Uists would mean 59 Uist Community fording the dangerous stretches of tidal sands. 62 Riding Centre The temptation to bypass most of Benbecula by taking the direct road through the island is Stepping Stones always there; however, Balivanich and the coast Restaurant Ruabhal road is worth the detour. The main town is called BALIVANICH, and is situated on the north west of NUNTON the island. The airport is located in Balivanich, as is the military base, hospital, fuel station, post offi ce GRIMINISH and a selection of shops, housing and businesses. Benbecula is one of the best locations to shop, with supermarkets, a bakery, and good places to eat and Borve Isle of have cups of coffee. 61 Castle Hebridean Way Benbecula THE HEBRIDEAN WAY is a classic 185 mile Cycle Route 780 cycle route, starting at Vatersay to the south of LINICLATE Barra, and fi nishing at the Butt of Lewis, crossing 10 islands, linked by ferries and causeways. Liniclate Following the offi cial National Cycle route 780, Sports Centre it provides spectacular scenery and awesome coastlines. Along the west side of Benbecula, CREAGORRY the cafes, restaurant and supermarket make it an ideal staging point. See maps on page 5 & 8.

UIST COMMUNITY RIDING SCHOOL: As a community 59 LINICLATE is the second largest habitation 61 organisation, the riding school is an important feature of the and is where the secondary school and very Uists. It is well supported by local people as well as visitors, ﬁ ne leisure complex are located. The local many of whom visit year after year on their trips to the Islands. enterprise company, campsite, Borve Castle, It is the only BHS-approved riding school and livery yard in the hotels and beaches are also in the same area. Outer Hebrides and caters for all ages and abilities. It offers Liniclate is just a few minutes off the main A865. a wide variety of all weather activities, including beach rides, The ruin of 14th century Caisteal Borbh (Borve riding lessons, hacks and pony rides. Tel: 01870 602808. Castle) was a Clanranald stronghold and is Email: [email protected] www.ridehebrides.org found along the coastal road to Balivanich.

60 MACLEANS BAKERY & BUTCHERS: Run by 62 THE STEPPING STONE RESTAURANT: the MacLean brothers since 1987, we are a small Serving snacks and hot meals throughout independent bakery based in Uachdar, Benbecula, the day, using fresh local produce where just off the main A865. Our delicious breads, rolls, possible. Evening meals available from pastries, savouries, oatcakes & biscuits are freshly 6.30 to 9pm daily. made every day using traditional methods. Opening times: Monday to Saturday Shop open: Mon 9.30-1pm, Tues-Fri 9.30-5.30pm 11.00am - 9.00pm, Sunday 12.00 - 8.00pm. & Sat 9.30-4pm. Tel: 01870 602659. Dinner reservations are recommended. 6 Email: [email protected] Tel: 01870 603377.