Island intro
North Uist’s landscape is characterised by a rich landscape of tidal strands, lochans, bogs, hills, beaches and flower-rich machair, whilst its communities have been shaped by the rich Gaelic culture and language.
Ask an Islander
Islander Simon Morgan shares his favourite things about living in North Uist, starting with why he loves living on his island home most. “One of the best things about island life is the sense of community here. People look out for each other and show a warmth to strangers, unlike anywhere else that I’ve ever lived before. That, and the beaches, obviously…”
Simon says that winter in North Uist is quite an adventure: “The winter weather is wild, with the wind regularly over 60mph. Being inside with a fire and a hot drink while you hear the storms outside is a really incredible experience. The long dark evenings are perfect for watching the Northern Lights too!”
For anyone who fancies a dram whilst visiting, North Uist Distillery is the place to visit. “Having only been open for a year, North Uist Distillery are already a firm favourite for gin lovers! Owners, Kate and Jonny make all the gin themselves and in late summer are often found handpicking heather flowers for distilling.”
Gaelic / Gàidhlig
The Gaelic name for North Uist is Uibhist a Tuath.
A person from Uist is known as an Uibhisteach in Gaelic.
Collect your travelogue stamp!
If you have one of our paper travelogues you can collect your stamp using the brass rubbing plate located at the community hub in the old Lochmaddy school.
Why not download the Scottish Islands Passport app to collect digital stamps!
Getting Here
CalMac Ferries runs regular sailings between Lochmaddy on North Uist and Uig in Skye. Skye is accessible via road/public transport.
North Uist is connected via causeways to Benbecula, with flight connections to the mainland and Stornoway, and to South Uist, which is also served by a mainland ferry.
Find out more about getting to Benbecula.
Explore More
Want to find out more about North Uist 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.
