About
Height Climbed: 246m / 806ft
Height Descended: 249m / 818ft
Terrain: 3 miles on paths of varying quality; 2 miles of pathless moorland; 8 miles on tarmac roads, half of which is traffic free.
A glance at a map of North Uist shows more water than land, which can make walking here something of a challenge. Despite having a fair percentage of road walking this is still a fine part of the Hebridean Way, with the route threading a cunning line around a couple of small hills and through the island’s remarkable semi-submerged landscape.
The day starts off with some gentle road walking over another causeway, this time linking Grimsay to North Uist. Before long, the route heads out into the wild country south of Locheport, a magnificent, fjord-like sea loch that almost cuts North Uist in two. Passing a stone circle and an ancient burial mound, the route then mostly follows an old road, which provides a pleasant, traffic free alternative to the nearby main road.
The day ends in Lochmaddy, probably the most attractive village in the Outer Hebrides, where hotels, B&Bs and refreshments await.
The distances and timings above do not include any extra distance you may need to reach your accommodation for the night. For route instructions and a map of this section.
Map & Directions
- Continue following the main A865 road northwards. Soon the road leaves Grimsay to cross another spectacular causeway into North Uist.
- About 1 mile (2km) north of Grimsay the road passes a small campsite on the left. 100m after this turn right into a small parking area and continue through a gate onto a good track.
- The path leads past a large pile of stones. This is actually the remains of a 4,500 year old chambered burial cairn. Excavations in 1987 discovered evidence for a 4,500 year old settlement near the cairn. The route goes to North Westerly from here, to the East of Loch a Bharpa. You will see a number of trees have been planted in the area.
- Go through a large gate and stile in the deer fence and turn right.
- Follow the Peat track to the North. The route here has been made by digging two parallel ditches and mounding the soil in between on a layer of geotextile fabric. This creates a relatively dry surface that "floats" over the surrounding bog.
- The soft turf path at times receives a good stone surfacing, before reverting to turf once again.
- The route passes a number of beautiful freshwater lochs, including the lovely Loch Carabhat.
- A good grassy track leads down to the road at Locheport. This is one of North Uist's longest sea lochs and almost splits the island in two.
- Turn left and walk along the quiet road. The settlement at Locheport was only established in the late 19th Century; many of the people who moved here had been evicted from their homes at Sollas, on the north coast of North Uist, during the Highland Clearances.
- After 1/2 a mile (1km) turn off the road onto a small path on the right.
- The path leads to a small bridge. After this, the path becomes fainter at times but waymarker posts show the way along the shore.
- Cross another bridge and head up a short slope until you reach a small cottage.
- Pass to the left of a small cottage then turn right onto a tarmac road.
- Walk past the front of Langass Lodge, and continue through a deer gate and down towards the shore on a good path.
- The path now swings round to the left and climbs the shoulder of Beinn Langais, passing the obvious small Neolithic stone circle of Pobull Fhinn on the right. This is the finest stone circle in the Uists. It's name means "Fionn's People", named after Fionn mac Cumhaill, or Finn MacColl, the legendary Irish Gaelic warrior and hero who also gave his name to the famous Fingal's Cave on Staffa.
- After descending the north side of Beinn Langais the path enters Langass Community Woodland, an old Forestry Commission plantation now owned and managed by local people. Make sure you stop off at the little hut to find out about the incredible story of Hercules a performing grizzly bear who escaped from his owners in 1980 and spend 3 weeks on the run in the Uists.
- After leaving the wood follow the track down to the main road. Cross this and turn right onto the old single track road, which runs parallel to, and just beyond, the wide modern one. It is now a long 5 mile (8km) hike to Lochmaddy, but the old road can be followed for much of the way. Occasionally it disappears and you will need to walk along the main road for a while, but the old road regularly reappears to provide a traffic-free route.
- At Strumore the Hebridean Way turns left onto the A865. If you wish to go into Lochmaddy itself head straight on here. It is an attractive village with lots of accommodation options, including a couple of hotels. There are a couple of shops and an excellent arts centre, museum & café at Taigh Chearsabhagh, not far from the pier.
Along This Route
Ruins of a Medival early church, Teampull Na Trionaid, can be found in the village of…
Statue of the famous grizzly bear Hercules, who escaped and went on the run during…
Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre is a place where people can meet, share ideas,…
The Hut of the Shadows by artist Chris Drury forms part of the Uist Sculpture Trail.
Along This Route
Islands: 2 (Grimsay, North Uist)
Causeways: 1
Ferries: 0
Distance: 13 miles
Route Time: 5…
