Sailing the west coast of the Outer Hebrides will likely involve a stop at Lochmaddy (Loch nam Madadh), North Uist.
Named for the dog-like islets that guard its entrance, Loch nam Mahadh – the Loch of the Hounds is the village capital and main settlement on North Uist.
The pretty village on the loch with Scandinavian type buildings is reminiscent of Shetland or Orkney. It is also the terminus for the ferry to Uig on Skye.
Marina and Facilities at Lochmaddy
Lochmaddy has an excellent marina with facilities such as showers, toilets and laundry.
The village has a shop, phone, bank, hotels and medical facilities; you can buy petrol and diesel in Lochmaddy at the garage; and there is access to a taxi or mini bus service, showers and laundry.
The nearby Taigh Chearsabhagh museum and arts centre runs a cafe, small shop and post office service and is also home to Uist Film.
A further shop at Sollas, can be accessed overland.
Lochmaddy Sailing Heritage
Lochmaddy has a long Hebridean seafaring history going back to Norse times. One of the first references reports its use as a pirate base in 1616. By 1703 it had a quay and in 1802 a fishing village was built for the herring fishing. In 1834, it became a steamer terminal and has continued as a ferry port until the present day.
Activities around Lochmaddy
Crews sailing round North Uist will find a wide range of attractions and activities can be accessed from Lochmaddy.
Visit the impressive museum and arts centre, Taigh Chearsabhagh home to Uist Film and discover the areas strong links with the artistic world. A new environment centre has opened in Lochmaddy at the old Lochmaddy school, which showcases the unique natural environment of the Uists and Barra.
Balranald RSPB nature reserve is also within easy reach, making this a popular spot for those seeking Outer Hebrides birdwatching breaks.
With its sandy beaches, rocky foreshore, marshes and sand dunes; the flower-rich machair and croft-land the reserve plays host to a number of intriguing and endangered bird species including corncrakes and corn buntings.
Lochmaddy Landscape
Visitors sailing into Lochmaddy will be visiting one of the finest examples of a complex ‘fjard’ sea loch in Europe. (The word ‘fjard’ is similar to ‘fjord’, a glacial valley, but ‘fjards’ only occur in a low relief landscape).
Its remarkably diverse mix of rocky reefs and soft sediment habitats provide homes for an exceptionally rich variety of species. Due to the international conservation importance of the marine life found in the loch and its lagoons, it is now officially recognised by the European Commission as a marine Special Area of Conservation.
Comann na Mara, an eco-friendly aquatic education and marine research organization, is based in Lochmaddy, and has introduced underwater cameras that will be able to give you a view of life below the pier or boat.
