Eriskay
Èirisgeigh
Small, hilly, and at the south end of the chain. The Barra ferry, Prince's Beach, and the Politician inn — a short causeway from South Uist.
Eriskay accommodation is scarce and small-scale — a few self-catering houses and no big hotels. Book early. You stay here for the beach, the Politician, the Barra ferry and the feeling of being at the end of the road.
Names people look for: Am Politician · Eriskay Community Hall · Eriskay Pony Society
- Getting here
- CalMac from Barra (Ardmhor) to Eriskay. The causeway north puts you on South Uist in minutes; Lochboisdale is about 20 minutes by car. Ferry timetables →
- Townships
- Am Baile (the village), the harbour, and houses scattered above the west beach.
Beaches & walks
Published places on Eriskay.
Eriskay accommodation
9 places to stay
Pod Beag beside the sea, Isle of Eriskay
Charming Chalet in Eriskay: Pod Beag beside the sea Isle of Eriskay offers a cosy chalet experience with free WiFi and free on-site private parking.
Conan Mara
A contemporary cottage on Eriskay with traditional looks, offering space for families and friends with pets welcome.
An Taigh Mor
Experience the tranquility of Eriskay at An Taigh Mor, a remote B&B offering ocean views, full Scottish breakfasts, and a warm welcome on Scotland's picturesque Uist islands.
Eriskay Views Cottage
A ground-floor Cottage on Eriskay's shore with open-plan living and views across the water.
Conan-Mara Holiday Cottage
Escape to Conan-Mara Holiday Cottage on Eriskay, where a warm and welcoming haven awaits amidst the island's rugged beauty and stunning white sand beaches, offering a peaceful retreat with a garden, free parking, and stunning views of the Atlantic coast.
Sealladh A' Chaolais
A modern cottage on Eriskay with sea views, a sun terrace, and the Atlantic right there — walk to the beach, the pub, and nothing but quiet.
Eriskay property
0 listings from local agents
Nothing for sale or to let on Eriskay right now. See all Uist property
On Eriskay
8 businesses in the directory
Am Politician
Eriskay's bar and restaurant at Balla, named after the whisky-laden SS Politician wrecked off the island in 1941
Bùth Erisgaidh
Community-owned shop at Rubha Ban on Eriskay selling groceries, local produce and souvenirs; a hub for the island
Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh
Eriskay's historical society, converting the old island school into a heritage centre and community hub
Eriskay Community Hall
Volunteer-run community hall beside the shop on Eriskay, hosting ceilidhs, bingo, quizzes and a youth club
Eriskay Football Club
Amateur club founded in 1960 whose hillside pitch at Cnoc na Monadh, Eriskay, was named by FIFA among the world's most remarkable places to play
Eriskay Pony Society
Breed society protecting and promoting the critically endangered Eriskay pony, with a stud book and annual breed show
Stories from Eriskay
All lore →Eriskay's first road was paid for by a film premiere
Eriskay's first proper road, from the pier at Haun to the harbour at Acairseid, was built in 1935 with money raised at the London premiere of Werner Kissling's film about the island, the first film to feature spoken Gaelic.
FactThe Eriskay Love Lilt was collected on the island in 1905
The Eriskay Love Lilt, sung around the world, was collected on Eriskay by Marjory Kennedy-Fraser with the help of the island priest and poet Father Allan MacDonald, and published in Songs of the Hebrides in 1909. The original Gaelic lament is Gràdh Geal Mo Chridhe.
FactThe Eriskay pony carried the whisky, and is now rarer than the giant panda
When the SS Politician's whisky came ashore in 1941, it was Eriskay ponies that carried it up the beach. The breed is now on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's critical list, with fewer than 300 breeding females in the world.
FactThe whisky ship was also carrying three million pounds in banknotes
Everyone knows the SS Politician ran aground off Eriskay in 1941 with 264,000 bottles of whisky. Fewer know she was also carrying three million pounds in Jamaican banknotes, and that 19 islanders went to Inverness prison for helping themselves.
Eriskay — common questions
What is Eriskay famous for? ▾
The SS Politician, which ran aground in 1941 with 260,000 bottles of whisky and inspired Whisky Galore, the Eriskay pony, and the Prince's Beach where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot in Scotland in 1745.
How do you get to Eriskay? ▾
By causeway from South Uist, opened in 2001, or by CalMac ferry from Ardmhor on Barra, a crossing of about forty minutes.
Can you stay on Eriskay? ▾
Yes, there is a handful of self-catering cottages and pods, plus the Am Politician pub for a meal. It is small, so book ahead for summer.
How many people live on Eriskay? ▾
Around 140 people live on Eriskay, mostly in the village above the harbour on the north side.
Can I stay on Eriskay without a car? ▾
Possible but limiting. The Barra ferry foot-passenger option works, and the inn and beach are walkable from the village, but shops and most South Uist accommodation need a lift or a bus that may not match your times.
What if there is no Eriskay accommodation left? ▾
Stay on South Uist — Kilphedar, Polochar and Lochboisdale are the closest — and drive over the causeway for the day. That is how most visitors do Eriskay.
Does Eriskay property come up often? ▾
No. Watch this page and the local agents. When a house does appear it tends to move on local knowledge as much as on portals.