Walking on Uist and Barra

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.

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

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 1.1Berneray (Beàrnaraigh)

Walk 1.2Udal

Walk 1.3Crògearraidh Mòr

Walk 1.4Lochportain

Walk 1.5Lì a Tuath and Lì a Deas

Walk 1.6Langais

Walk 1.7Burabhal

Eabhal

Walk 1.8Eabhal from Loch Euphort

Walk 1.9Eabhal 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 2.1Borgh

Walk 2.2Culla Bay

Walk 2.3Ròisinis

Walk 2.4Ruabhal

3 South Uist

Walk 3.1Loch Sgioport

Walk 3.2Uisinis lighthouse and Nicolson’s Leap

Walk 3.3The Northern Corries of Thacla

Walk 3.4The Three Peaks

Beinn Mhòr

Walk 3.5Beinn Mhòr from Sniseabhal

Walk 3.6Beinn Mhòr from Taobh a Tuath Loch Aineort

Walk 3.7Taobh a Tuath Loch Aineort

Walk 3.8Stulaigh

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 4.1Barra’s northern peninsula

Walk 4.2Cliaid

Walk 4.3Allathasdal

Barra’s central hills

Walk 4.4The Barra Watershed

Walk 4.5Barra’s highest hills

Walk 4.6Central Barra

Walk 4.7Dùn Bàn

Walk 4.8Dùn Bàn and Beinn Tangabhal

Walk 4.9Vatersay (Bhatarsaigh)

Walk 4.10 Mingulay (Miùghlaigh)

Appendix AGlossary of Gaelic and Norse terms

Appendix BRoute summary table

Appendix CFurther reading

Appendix DUseful information