Lochmaddy North Uist Island Scotland
United Kingdom
Frequently Asked Questions
Expedition ships anchor in the bay and land passengers by tender near the ferry pier that links North Uist to Skye. The village amounts to a handful of houses, a hotel and a museum: the scene is set within the first few steps.
The Taigh Chearsabhagh centre, a few minutes' walk from the pier, then the coastal path to the Hut of the Shadows, under an hour return. If the call is longer and transport is arranged, the Barpa Langass cairn about eight kilometres away is worth the trip.
An 18th-century merchant's inn that is now a museum, arts centre and community café all at once. It holds exhibitions by island artists, historic photographs and records of life in Gaelic. The counter also serves as the post office, which tells you everything about its social role.
A curious stone shelter set out on the moor at the end of a coastal path from the village: a camera obscura built by an artist. You step into the darkness, wait a few seconds, and the landscape outside appears, projected upside down on the wall by a simple optical trick.
A 5,000-year-old cairn of grey stones about eight kilometres from the village, on a hillside. It is the only chambered burial cairn in the Outer Hebrides whose inner chamber remains intact. It is now viewed from the outside, and the Pobull Fhinn stone circle lies round the hill.
Like lace seen from the air: as much water as land, hundreds of lochs tangled in brown peat, and a few single-track roads threading between them. The landscape is flat, open and almost treeless.
Yes, in daily life. Scottish Gaelic is a living language in the Outer Hebrides, and the anchorage takes its name from it: it is said to refer to the dog-shaped rocks guarding the entrance to the bay. English is spoken everywhere, without exception.
With a little patience, yes. Otters hunt along the seaweed of the sheltered shores, and the coastal path to the Hut of the Shadows is one of the best places to catch sight of one. Shorebirds are everywhere among the heather, gorse and chop.
Yes, for families who enjoy the outdoors. The coastal path is short and easy, the Hut of the Shadows delights children, and the arts centre café makes a practical stop. There are, however, no attractions, no playground and virtually no shops.
Pound sterling; English and Scottish Gaelic. The arts centre café generally takes cards, but some cash remains sensible: there is no cash machine and payment connections can be temperamental.
