Summer on Skye: Uists & Berneray

    

Last week I went on another trip to the Outer Hebrides this time to North & South Uist, Benbecula, Eriskay and Berneray. Taking the ferry from Uig on the Isle of Skye to Lochmaddy on North Uist. All the islands from Berneray in the North to Eriskay in the South are linked by causeways {see a good interactive map of the Outer Hebrides here} so first we headed south, straight down to South Uist, and here's a few things I saw along the way. . .

 

Wide sandy beaches and white surf with no one in sight. . .

 

Tons of coloured slimy seaweed. . . 

 

Lots of Lobster pots . . .

 

and beautiful rocky hills in Lochboisdale {the harbour on South Uist where the ferry goes to Oban on the mainland}. . .

  

Prehistoric roundhouses. . .

One of the most important archaeological finds in Great Britain in the past decade or so has been the discovery of the first mummies in Britain and they were found on South Uist! As you walk a little way over sand dunes, just west of Lochboisdale, nr Daliburgh, you suddenly turn a corner and come across the ruins of 3 roundhouses in a row, the mummies were found beneath them. The top photo shows how there would have been an entry house used as a smokery and then a corridor into the main living area. These houses are part of the prehistoric village of Cladh Hallan and the excavations have only uncovered about 10% of it, so who knows what other amazing history and stories are underneath all the grassy sand dunes and machair! You can read lots more about the discovery and mystery surrounding the village and mummies through the University of Sheffield's research here.

   

Just further on from the roundhouses you turn another corner and you're at the beach! Wide expanses of white sandy beach all to your self and the stormy Atlantic as far as the eye can see. Next stop North America!

 

Lots of delicate sea cacti in bloom. . .

 

On the way back to the car we stopped at this beautiful cemetery overlooking lochs and hills. . .

  Beautifully simple carved gravestones with ships. . .

 

Then we headed to the hotel, the Polochar Inn on the south-tip of South Uist. . .

 

With beautiful views over to Barra and Eriskay. . . 

 

and amazing rockpools. . .

 

Gorgeous sunlight peeking through the clouds onto the surrounding hills. . .

 

Next morning, another beach walk under mist, cloud and rain. . .

Seeing beautifully delicate red orangey seaweed patterns upon the sand. . .

  

 Huge tree stalks of seaweed and hay-like seaweed, so many different types. . .

 

Then we headed down to Eriskay, saw some famous Eriskay Ponies and Bonnie Price Charlie's beach in the thickening cloud {too wet to take photos!} and headed back up through Benebecula to Nouth Uist to see 'The Lady of the Isles' statue complete with electricity pylon in the background!

   

We had a quick stop off at the Balranald Nature Reserve on North Uist and saw some Whale/Seal skulls!  

 

Then we drove up to Beneray to see the resident seal colony. . .

 these hardy seals love to do some rainbathing and are just off rocks really close to the shore!

Thanks Uists & Beneray {and all the other islands we went to!} Hope to be back soon!