Discover the wild beauty and ancient heritage of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides with 40 unforgettable walks across the islands of Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra, Vatersay and Mingulay. From sweeping white beaches and rugged cliffs to moorland lochs and dramatic hills, these varied routes showcase the unique landscapes and rich wildlife of Uist, Barra, and their neighbouring isles.

Ideal for both seasoned explorers and first-time visitors, this definitive Cicerone guidebook features 40 day walks ranging from 3 to 17km (2–11 miles), each taking 1–8 hours to complete. Choose from gentle rambles beside the Atlantic machair, challenging hill hikes over ancient Lewisian gneiss, and coastal journeys along cliffs, stacks and natural arches. With every route, discover the islands’ extraordinary geology, remarkable biodiversity, and a landscape interwoven with thousands of years of human history.

• Experience the best of the Uists and Barra, with walks exploring beaches, cliffs, moorland and mountains, and passing archaeological sites including chambered cairns, standing stones, duns and Iron Age wheelhouses.
• Enjoy walking in every season, from the dazzling machair wildflowers of South Uist in June to the ever-changing Atlantic weather on Barra’s beaches, the islands’ raw natural elements and shifting light make for a dramatic backdrop year-round.
• Choose from 40 diverse walks, each with a 1:50,000 OS map extract, route summary, and practical details, explore the standing stones of North Uist, the cliffs of Mingulay, the ancient causeways of Benbecula, and the rolling dunes of Berneray, with clear guidance on navigation, travel, and local facilities.
• Discover the region’s rich natural and cultural tapestry: walk among the chambered cairns of South Uist, spot golden eagles over the hills of Eriskay, and learn about ancient Lewisian gneiss on Barra; each route is enhanced with insights into local Gaelic place names, history, flora and fauna, from corncrakes in the meadows to otters on remote loch shores.
• Walks range from accessible coastal circuits such as Vatersay’s beaches to more strenuous, pathless hill walks across the moorland of North Uist or the rugged heights of Heaval on Barra, catering for every ability and experience level.
• Plan your trip with ease thanks to detailed notes on travel, including the unique tidal beach airport at Barra, ferries linking Eriskay and Berneray, local bus routes connecting the Uists, and accommodation options from thatched blackhouse hostels on Benbecula to guesthouses and campsites across the islands.

Set out to explore Uist and Barra, where sea and land intertwine in a landscape shaped by Atlantic weather and centuries of history. With this Cicerone guidebook, discover ancient cairns on South Uist, the lochs of North Uist, Barra’s dramatic cliffs and beaches, and the islands’ rich wildlife and welcoming Hebridean spirit, all at your own pace, in any season.

Walking on Uist and Barra – Quick Facts

Location: The Outer Hebrides – Berneray, North Uist, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist, Eriskay, Barra, Vatersay, Mingulay
Number of routes: 40 day walks
Distance: 3–17km (2–11 miles) per walk
Duration: 1–8 hours per walk
Areas covered: Uist, Barra, and neighbouring islands
Route type: Coastal, moorland and mountain walks; linear and circular routes
Difficulty: Suitable for all walkers, from easy beach strolls to demanding hill walks on pathless terrain
Terrain: Beaches, dunes, cliffs, moorland, lochs, rugged hills, archaeological sites
Navigation: 1:50,000 OS map extracts included for each walk
Best season: Walks available year-round; best between April and September for mild weather and long days
Highlights: White sandy beaches, Lewisian gneiss hills, machair, ancient monuments, diverse wildlife
Equipment: Walking boots, layered clothing, map recommended
Refreshments & facilities: Information on accommodation (hotels, guesthouses, hostels, campsites), public transport, travel advice, Gaelic glossary
 

Author Highlight

"Walking across this landscape, it is not only the physical scenery that captivates: history, too, is everywhere in evidence. You may come to these islands perhaps to retrace the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie and Flora MacDonald, but wherever you walk, you become aware of humankind’s attempts to survive, over thousands of years, in this environment. Not only are there duns, chambered cairns, standing stones and wheelhouses from the distant past, but the scattered ruins of black houses and shielings from recent centuries – man’s influence blending almost seamlessly with nature.” 

- Mike Townsend, author of Walking on Uist and Barra

Map key
Chapter area map
Introduction
Geology and geomorphology
History
Plants and wildlife
Transport
Accommodation and facilities
Safety
Access
Using the guide

1 North Uist
Walk 1.1 Berneray (Beàrnaraigh)
Walk 1.2 Udal
Walk 1.3 Crògearraidh Mòr
Walk 1.4 Lochportain
Walk 1.5 Lì a Tuath and Lì a Deas
Walk 1.6 Langais
Walk 1.7 Burabhal

Eabhal
Walk 1.8 Eabhal from Loch Euphort
Walk 1.9 Eabhal from Cladach Chairinis
Walk 1.10 Grimsay (Griomasaigh)
Walk 1.11 Scolpaig
Walk 1.12 Hogha Gearraidh and Hosta
Walk 1.13 Balranald Nature Reserve
Walk 1.14 Baleshare (Baile Sear)

2 Benbecula
Walk 2.1 Borgh
Walk 2.2 Culla Bay
Walk 2.3 Ròisinis
Walk 2.4 Ruabhal

3 South Uist
Walk 3.1 Loch Sgioport
Walk 3.2 Uisinis lighthouse and Nicolson’s Leap
Walk 3.3 The Northern Corries of Thacla
Walk 3.4 The Three Peaks

Beinn Mhòr
Walk 3.5 Beinn Mhòr from Sniseabhal
Walk 3.6 Beinn Mhòr from Taobh a Tuath Loch Aineort
Walk 3.7 Taobh a Tuath Loch Aineort
Walk 3.8 Stulaigh
Walk 3.9 Gleann Dail bho Dheas
Walk 3.10 Eriskay (Eirisgeigh)

Machair Way
Walk 3.11 Tobha Mòr
Walk 3.12 Aisgernis/Cladh Hàlainn

4 Barra
Walk 4.1 Barra’s northern peninsula
Walk 4.2 Cliaid
Walk 4.3 Allathasdal

Barra’s central hills
Walk 4.4 The Barra Watershed
Walk 4.5 Barra’s highest hills
Walk 4.6 Central Barra
Walk 4.7 Dùn Bàn
Walk 4.8 Dùn Bàn and Beinn Tangabhal
Walk 4.9 Vatersay (Bhatarsaigh)
Walk 4.10 Mingulay (Miùghlaigh)

Appendix A Glossary of Gaelic and Norse terms
Appendix B Route summary table
Appendix C Further reading
Appendix D Useful information

Seasons

suitable for year-round walking, although probably best between April and August when daylight hours are long, and wildlife and wildflowers are most prolific

Centres

the principal centres are close to the ferry terminals: Castlebay, Barra; Lochboisdale, South Uist and Lochmaddy, North Uist. Balivanich, beside the airport, is the main service centre for Benbecula

Difficulty

walks range in length from 3km to 17km (1 - 7 hours). Low-level walks, along beaches and across machair, are generally less demanding. Walks over moorland and hills are challenging and require good navigational skills

Must See

the cliffs of Mingulay; the sands of Vatersay; Barra - Caisteal Chiosmuil; Eriskay - Coilleag a'Phrionnsa; South Uist - Beinn Mhòr; Benbecula - View from Ruabhal; Grimsay - Sea Eagle; North Uist - Scolpaig arches; Berneray - West beach

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