The official Caledonian Macbrayne web site lists the current timetables in detail for the following vehicle ferries. Winter timetables usually have slightly fewer sailings than the summer ones. Vehicle reservation required on all sailings.
Vehicle ferry from Skye to North Uist:
A ferry runs from Uig on Skye to Lochmaddy on
North Uist and takes 1 hour 40 minutes.
Vehicle ferry from the mainland to South Uist:
A ferry runs from Oban on the mainland to Lochboisdale on
South Uist every day. Some sailings are via Barra.
Vehicle ferry from Harris to North Uist:
It sails from the village of Leverburgh on the southern coast of Harris to the island of Berneray which is linked by causeway to North Uist.
Numerous trips a day during the summer, but less in winter (October to Easter).
Journey time: 1 hour.
Capacity: 200 passengers, 32 vehicles.
Sound of Barra Ferry:
The island of Eriskay is now linked to South Uist by a causeway. A new service by Caledonian Macbrayne
operates a small vehicle ferry on the 40-minute crossing between Eriskay and Barra.
Daily sailings. Check timetable online.
This service replaces the previous locally operated ferries between Ludag/Eriskay/Barra.
Causeway to the Isle of Berneray
A 900-metre long causeway between North Uist and Berneray replaced the old ferry service and opened to vehicles in December 1998. The population of Berneray is around 140. The island was made famous in the late 1980s due to a documentary about the visits made by the Prince of Wales.
Visit the Isle of Berneray community web site for information about the island.
Planes to Benbecula Airport:
Operate from Glasgow, from Barra, from Stornoway (on Lewis) and from Inverness (via Stornoway).
See the British Airways web site to check current details.
Highland Airways operate an 18-seater Island Hopper Service linking Inverness, Stornoway and Benbecula. Mondays - Fridays only.
Tours & Cruises:
Steve Duffield runs the Western Isles Wildlife web site which includes the latest sightings and photos of birds, mammals, insects and flora of the Hebrides.
He also offers guided tours throughout the year. These can be 6-night all inclusive tours including accommodation, or simply book him for a day tour or a half day tour (tel 07733 026 663 / 01870 602503).
Crann Tara Tours offer personal guided tours of the Uists by car (either yours or theirs, maximum 4 people). Contact Christine MacIntyre at 207 Stoneybridge, South Uist HS8 5SD, tel: 01870 620 323.
Northern Light
offers private charter, wildlife cruises, bird-watching and whale-watching cruises, dive charter, island cruising and research and survey services. 2 boats based in Oban.
Patrick Fox made his own tour of the Hebrides on his bicycle in July 1997 and has written up the whole story, complete with photos.
Day-trip to North Uist from Skye:
On Sundays between mid May and early September, it is possible to take
the 9.40am ferry from Uig on Skye over to Lochmaddy on
North Uist, then return on the afternoon sailing having spent a few hours exploring the island on your own.
Combined coach and ferry tours are available during the summer to enable you to visit North Uist and the Isle of Harris via Lochmaddy, Berneray, Leverburgh and Tarbert.
Visit the Caledonian Macbrayne web site for details.
Car hire, bike hire, taxis:
Car hire is available from:
- Laing Motors, Lochboisdale, South Uist - tel/fax: 01878 700 267.
- Ask Car Hire, Liniclate, Benbecula (available from ferry terminals and airport) - tel: 01870 602 818 / fax: 01870 602 933.
- Maclennan's Self Drive, Balivanich, Benbecula (available from ferry terminals and airport) - tel: 01870 602 191 / fax: 01870 603 191.
Ewen Walker runs A1 TAXIS (North & South Uist & Benbecula) - tel: 07899003777.
Coach, Mini-Bus, Taxi Hire and Self-Drive Vehicles available from Aitkens Island Travel, 9 North Locheynort,
South Uist HS8 5SN. Tel: 01878 710333
Taxi and minibus hire is available from Alda's Taxis, 1 Kersavagh, Lochmaddy, North Uist (tel: 01876 500 215).
Bikes can be hired from Morrison Cycle Hire, Bonnie View, 19 Carinish, North Uist (tel: 01876 580211) and also
Rothan Cycles at 9 Howmore, South Uist (tel: 01870 620283).
Local bus service:
There are various bus routes through the Uists including those operated by
Royal Mail with the Postbus
Hebridean Coaches (tel: 01870 620345).
DA Travel (tel: 01878 710266)
Grenitote Travel (tel: 01876 560244)
Bus timetables are available online via the council web site.
travelinescotland.com is the official public transport guide with online timetables and a journey planner.
You can generally pick up free sheets with timetables for each local route from tourist offices in the Western Isles and at Stornoway bus station. Buses generally run in time with the ferries and there are less in winter than in summer.
Travellers' Tips:
A weather forecast for the islands is provided by Yahoo.
My travellers' tips file may also be useful if you
are planning a trip to Scotland. It covers airlines, national car hire, transport information,
maps, etc.
