Uist
Uist is made up of six islands all connected by causeways and include Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay and make a great stopping off point for crews exploring the Outer Hebrides by boat.
Sitting between North Uist and Harris, the Isle of Berneray (Bearnaraigh) is an excellent stop off in an Outer Hebrides sailing holiday. It boasts amazing beaches on it's east and west coasts, a seal watching spot, a heritage centre and cafe and bistro.
North Uist (Uibhist a Tuath) is covered with a patchwork of peat bogs, low hills and lochans, with more than half the land being covered by water. This results in spectacular views with reflections of the sky and clouds in the water. The main port of Lochmaddy has a suberb marina and village has shops, hotels, an arts centre and museum.
The Isle of Grimsay (Griomasaigh) is a small island, connected by road, lying between North Uist and Benbecula. With a strong Hebridean seafaring heritage, the island provides a great stop on any Western Isles sailing break. There is a Boat museum, seafood shop and cafe, and a vibrant community hub and cafe.
Midway between North and South Uist, Benbecula (Beinn na Faoghla) is another potential stopping spot for those sailing around the Western Isles. The island offers amazing scenery, stunning beaches, wonderful wildlife, horse-riding and a distillery as well as being well placed to travel onwards to North and South Uist.
Cruising round South Uist (Uibhist a Deas) is a wonderful Western Isles sailing experience, and the island’s east coast offers a complex of inlets and bays facing across the Minch. With more than 20 miles of continuous white shell beaches along the island’s west coast, which is lapped by the Atlantic Ocean and hugged by incredible machair lands along the coast and in the summer are brimming with flowers and wildlife offering opportunities for crews sailing in the Western Isles to spot everything from corncrakes to otters. There is a new marina at Lochboisdale with excellent facilities.
Eriskay, meaning Eric's Isle, is a small island between South Uist and Barra. Eriskay has provided much inspiration to the arts, prompting the penning of the famous Hebridean song, the Eriskay Love Lilt as well as furnishing the storyline for one of Scotland’s most famous stories – Whisky Galore. Of course, contraband is not the only famous thing to have come ashore on Eriskay’s stunning white sands – the island is where Bonnie prince Charlie first set foot on Scottish soil!
Monach Isles - just off the coast of North Uist is the stunning nature reserve that is the Monach Isles (Heisker)
Anchorages, Moorings and Marinas
Berneray - Berneray Harbour has a fishing pier and a good range of basic facilities. There are also several wild anchorages in the area
North Uist - A fully serviced 24 berth marina in Lochmaddy. There are several wild anchorages and a pier at the head of Locheport.
Grimsay - Kallin harbour offers limited berthing, but there is the possibility of rafting alongside fishing boats
Benbecula - There is a pier at Peter’s Port which offers restricted anchorage
South Uist - A 52 berth marina offering visitor moorings at Lochboisdale. Loch Skipport and Loch Eynort offer wild anchorages.
Eriskay - Visitor moorings are available at Acarsaid Mhor
