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Isle of North Uist - Uist a Tuath
North Uist is a stunning blend of beaches, machair lands and freshwater lochs interrupted by rolling dark moorland hills. Running 13 miles North to South it takes roughly 45 miles to travel around the whole island. The West coast looks out to the beautiful small Isle of Vallay which can be reached at low tide and is home to a foreboding deserted mansion house. To the North, the charming island of Berneray, home to an active, friendly community and HRH Prince Charles' favourite island, is where the ferry arrives from Harris, and is now linked to North Uist by causeway.
North Uist is a real must for birdwatchers: the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) Balranald nature reserve on the West Coast, is bursting with coastal waders and divers. There are plenty of opportunities to share in modern island living, learn new skills and keep children entertained. Lochmaddy, North Uist's main town, is the gateway to the Southern Isles from Uig on the Isle of Skye, and is home to the fantastic Taigh Chearsabhagh arts centre. The landscape of North Uist looks like a giant waterlogged sponge from the air with its thousands of freshwater lochs (a dream for anglers as you can always find a whole loch teeming with healthy wild fish to yourself.) With views to the Monach Islands where around 9000 grey seal pups are born every year, this island is a haven for wildlife watchers and perfect for walking, kayaking and cruising.
Visitor Centre
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is now a visitor centre called Taigh
Chearsabhagh near the pier - it has a museum, arts gallery,
shop and cafe (Tel/fax: 01876 500 293). Open March - December.
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The Uist Outdoor Centre
A variety
of outdoor pursuits can be undertaken here, including sub-aqua
diving, canoeing, boat-handling, rock-climbing and abseiling.
www.uistoutdoorcentre.co.uk
Contact them on 01876 500 480 |
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Archaeology
North
Uist contains about two-thirds of the chambered cairns found
in the Western Isles with Barpa, just 5 miles from Lochmaddy
being of particular importance.It is 5000 years old and in a
good state of preservation.
Close to the cairn
is the Langass Standing Stone circle, or Pohull Fhinn (Fingals'
people).
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Uist Community Riding school
The Uist Community Riding School is a thriving riding establishment based in Balivanich. Originally an Army Saddle Club, they offer lessons, road rides, beach rides, picnic rides, all day hacks, child beginner lessons, adult beginner and intermediate lessons, jumping, dressage, leading rein hacks, stable management classes and are a base for flexible learning in horse management.
Tel: 01870 604283
http://www.ucrs.freeserve.co.uk/
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RSPB Bird Sanctuary at Balranald
At Balranald, sandy beaches and a rocky foreshore are separated from the machair and marshes by sand dunes; there are also shallow lochs. An information centre explains the importance of traditional crofting agriculture for the now rare, but very audible, corncrake and other wildlife. Many species of wading birds nest on the flower-rich machair and the croftland. One family of guests reported seeing over 50 bird species in a week trip to one of our cottages - a personal best for the family The reserve is open at all times while the visitor centre itself is open in season from April to August, 9 am to 6 pm. Contact them on 01876 560287 or for general bird related tourist information, 01876 500321. enjoy your visit - and use our web link to the RSPB website.
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Benbecula Golf Course
Benbecula is a naturally
flat course beside the Balivanich airfield. As a result of
its good condition, Benbecula is a popular haunt for visiting
golfers who are seeking a game in slightly different surroundings.
There are a number of testing holes that will require great
judgement and club selection, with some natural hazards dotted
around the course. Visitors can experience incredible views
of the Monach Isles and Atlantic Ocean.
Although only a nine hole course, there are 18 tees in operation, ( Par /SSS 62 - 4311 yards) so your round is anything but repetitive. It's a really relaxed way of life in the Uists and you can't help but take your time and relax while you play an unhurried game of golf. There is an honesty box for paying your fees at this course - just £10 to play all day long if you like! Booking is not necessary. The Secretary Jeremy Wright can be contacted on 01870 602156.
Benbecula Golf Course web site
There is also an unofficial
course at Sollas on the west coast of North Uist, which
has been set up by the local community and is a 9-hole course.
It is open to the public, but opening is seasonal as it is
on common grazing land - so please check first. |
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