Island intro
With endless tales of history and an abundance of natural heritage, there’s plenty to explore in Benbecula. Its neighbour, Grimsay, to the south east of Benbecula, has amazing wildlife and excellent views to Canna, Rum and Skye.
Ask an Islander
We asked locals on Benbecula and Grimsay to tell us why their island is special. Here’s what they said:
“The slower pace and easy access to beaches on Benbecula make living here a must for anyone looking for a change of lifestyle”, said Gary Ford. “Our three kids also have much more freedom than they would get living in the city.”
The autumn and winter months can be a great time to see the Northern Lights. Usually, around October and November they are particularly good.
The Eilean Dorcha Festival (EDF) in Benbecula, which is coming into its fifth year, is not to be missed. With great music and a festival atmosphere, it always draws a massive audience to the island.
Pàdruig Moireasdan said of Grimsay: “On my croft I enjoy making silage and helping other Grimsay crofters do the same,” he says. “The long July nights are amazing; perfect for getting out in the evenings. Gaelic culture is alive and thriving here, and in summers gone by we have enjoyed plenty of ceilidhs and festivals”.
“The Grimsay boat trail is a real gem – it dots around the island between the old harbour and boatshed, to the new boatshed and present harbour. It includes our newly opened Boat Haven museum and exhibition and next door you can go to Ceann na h-Airigh (our community centre) for a lovely soup and top quality coffee!” Just what you need after a day of exploring!
Gaelic / Gàidhlig
The Gaelic name for Benbecula is Beinn na Faoghla, and Grimsay, Griomasaigh.
Want to say ‘good morning’ to someone in Gaelic? That’s ‘madainn mhath‘!
Collect your travelogue stamp!
If you have one of our paper travelogues you can collect your stamp for Benbecula using the brass rubbing plate located at Puffin Studio, Creagorry. Watch this space for information on collecting your stamp for Grimsay!
Or why not download the Scottish Islands Passport app to collect digital stamps!
Getting Here
CalMac Ferries run services to North Uist and South Uist. Onward travel to Benbecula is by road via causeways. Bus services run from Benbecula to North Uist (W16 route) and South Uist (W17 route) Monday–Saturday.
Loganair offers flights to Benbecula from Glasgow, Inverness and Stornoway.
Find out more about getting to North Uist.
Find out more about getting to South Uist.
Explore More
Want to find out more about Benbecula and Grimsay and explore more of our amazing islands?
Download the free Scottish Islands Passport app to:
- discover your perfect island match,
- find out about the experiences each island has to offer,
- collect passport stamps for the islands you visit,
- find information on accommodation, travel and island amenities.
