Isle of South Uist - see map on Page 8 65 SOUTH UIST is a stunningly beautiful island of 68 crystal clear waters with white powder beaches to the west, and heather uplands dominated by Beinn Mhor to the east. The 20 miles of machair that runs alongside the sand dunes provides a marvellous habitat for the rare corncrake. Golden eagles, red grouse and red deer can be seen on the mountain slopes to the east. LOCHBOISDALE, once a major herring port, is the main settlement and ferry terminal on the island with a population of approximately Visit the HEBRIDEAN JEWELLERY shop and 300. A new marina has opened, and is located at the end of the breakwater with workshop at Iochdar, selling a wide variety of facilities for visiting yachts. Also newly opened Visitor jewellery, giftware and books of quality and Information Offi ce in the village. The island is one of good value for money. This quality hand crafted the last surviving strongholds of the Gaelic language jewellery is manufactured on South Uist in the in Scotland and the crofting industries of peat cutting Outer Hebrides. and seaweed gathering are still an important part of The shop in South Uist has a coffee shop close by everyday life. The Kildonan Museum has artefacts the beach, where light snacks are served. If you from this period. ASKERNISH GOLF COURSE is the are unable to visit our shop, please visit us on our oldest golf course in the Western Isles and is a unique online store. Tel: 01870 610288. HS8 5QX. test for any grade of golfer. www.hebrideanjewellery.co.uk 66 SOUTH UIST is a wildlife wonderland, 69 SALAR SMOKEHOUSE: Award winning archeologists paradise and historians dream. fl aky hot smoked salmon is a speciality. Online It is also the birthplace of Flora MacDonald ordering available. Visitors are very welcome and just outside the village of Kildonan, is a for our tastings at our shop which is set in a memorial to her. Flora gained immortality by very scenic location with an abundance of wild her assistance to Bonnie Prince Charlie in life, including sea eagles, otters, and wild deer. the Outer Hebrides after his fl ight from the Locally produced gifts, WiFi and toilets are mainland following defeat at Culloden in 1746. available. Tel: 01870 610324. WALKING is a key part of the South Uist www.salarsmokehouse.co.uk experience with walks at all levels. Ben Mhor, Ben Corodale and Hecla are the three highest peaks on South Uist, and for the keen and experienced hillwalkers, ORASAY INN is set in an area of 70 there is a good horseshoe walk to the hills outstanding natural beauty at the north direct from Howmore hostel. The route leads end of the Isle of South Uist. Owned and into the most spectacular and interesting of managed by Isobel and Alan Graham, the South Uist landscapes. Loch Druidibeg this small, intimate hotel and restaurant is one of the best places in the Hebrides serves some of the fi nest food in the to see the full range of island wildlife and Hebrides. Orasay Inn is the ideal location habitats. The loch is situated to the east of for a special Hebridean holiday. Whatever the A865, close to Stilligarry. type of activity you prefer, we provide a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with the best of fresh, local cuisine, as 67 In the far south is the ISLE OF ERISKAY with its famous an end to the perfect day. A superb selection of fi sh and seafood comes fresh ponies. The ponies are semi wild and often seen in the vicinity from boat to hotel kitchen, supplied by local fi shermen. Much of our beef is from of the village. Eriskay is also home to famous wreck the S.S. our own fold of Highland Cattle, raised on our croft. Politician. The wreck was the inspiration for the Compton Discerning, reliable producers and suppliers, who Mackenzie book and fi lm, Whisky Galore. The SS Politician are aware of the quality we require, provide locally was an 8000-tonne cargo ship which left Liverpool on the reared Hebridean lamb, pork, game, poultry and 3rd February 1941 laden with amongst other things 260,000 vegetables. Booking is essential for lunches and bottles of whisky, bound for Kingston in Jamaica and New evening meals. Email: [email protected] Orleans. She went aground off the coast of Eriskay. Tel: 01870 610298. www.orasayinn.co.uk Isle of Barra - see map on Page 8 BÙTH BHARRAIGH LTD is a community social enterprise which 71 acts as a route to market for local producers. It also fi lls gaps with in the community and has a great range of wholefoods, arts and Isle of Dùn Sgurribhal crafts materials, yarn and books. Bùth Bharraigh is the island ELIOGARRY Visitor Information Centre and also has Bike Hire, Free WiFi and a Laundrette. Open all Year - Summer: Mon-Sat 10-7:15, Sun Barra Compton School Mackenzies 12-4 and 6-7:15, Winter: Mon-Sat 10-6, Sun 12-4. Follow us on House OROSAY Twitter or Facebook @ButhBharraigh Tel: 01871 817948. Email: [email protected] www.barrashop.co.uk Barra Airport Ferry Traigh Mhòr 72 BARRA HERITAGE CENTRE located close to the centre of Castlebay, Dualchas is placed in a prime location Golf Course CLEAT Ferry crossing to Eriskay looking out over the bay to the southern islands. It is a Seal Bay Grean NORTHBAY ARDVEENISH treasure trove of historical documents, artefacts and Cemetary photographs relating the story of the Herring fi shing CUITHIR Dun Cuithir Woodland Walk Play Park Barratlantic Fish Factory industry, the Clearances and the emigration which ensued Hebridean Way ALLASDALE BRUERNISH after The Clearances. The centre is a visible commitment Cycle Route 780 Loch na Ob Dun Bharpa Old School made by the community towards preserving Barra Deserted Village heritage and sharing their stories with people worldwide. Tangasdale Beach BORVE WALKING ON BARRA AND VATERSAY is particularly 73 EARSARY interesting as very rarely do you lose sight of the sea and the main hills. One particularly good walk is to ascend 73 Heaval, the highest hill and view the surrounding islands. BREVIG On a clear day, you can view the isles to the South and as Castlebay Castlebay far as the Isle of Mull. Sea kayaking, wind surfi ng, power War Memorial Standing Stone kiting, rock climbing are all developing around these islands Archaeological Street Map Monuments Kisimul Castle as interest grows in outdoor activities. Remote islands are accessible with boat trips, running on a regular basis, to see the Allt Chrysal Barra Bùth 74 Heritage 72 71 Bharraigh Centre birds, marine wildlife and spectacular cliffs off the Barra Head Ferry VATERSAY Islands. Vatersay Walk: This walk is approximately 3 hours of School and UIDH Swimming Pool easy to medium going with one short, fairly steep climb to Dun Catalina Plane (crash site) Vatersay. The walk begins at the small car park across the road Annie Jane 74 Supermarket £ Monument Vatersay Hall TOILETS and Cafe from the ‘Annie Jane’ monument. It is a circular walk of about 4 in summer months VATERSAY Play Park miles, taking in Bagh Siar (West Bay), Bagh a Deas (South Bay), Dun CalMac Ferry Cafe Kisimul Eorisdale and Baigh Bhatarsaigh (Vatersay Bay). The machair Hebridean Way 76 land running along the entire west coast of Barra and Vatersay Standing Stone Cycle Route 780 Hospital STARTS here 77 Kisimul Castle is fringed with beautiful beaches and is also carpeted with wild fl owers throughout the spring and summer months. 7 www.isle-of-lewis.com | www.explore-harris.com | www.isle-of-north-uist.co.uk | www.isle-of-benbecula.co.uk | www.isle-of-south-uist.co.uk | www.explore-isle-of-barra.co.uk.