Plan your trip
Getting to Uist
By ferry from Skye or Oban, or by air from Glasgow, Edinburgh, or Inverness. The journey is part of the adventure.
CalMac ferries
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) operates all ferry services to the Uist islands. Book early in summer — sailings fill up fast, especially with vehicles.
Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy
Arrives North Uist
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Frequency
- 1–3 sailings daily
- Best for
- Coming from Skye / north
Oban → Lochboisdale
Arrives South Uist
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Frequency
- 1 sailing daily
- Best for
- Coming from Glasgow / south
Ardmhor (Barra) → Eriskay
Short hop from Barra
- Duration
- 40 min
- Frequency
- 4–5 sailings daily
- Best for
- Island-hopping from Barra
Leverburgh (Harris) → Berneray
Coming from Harris / Lewis
- Duration
- 1 hour
- Frequency
- 3–4 sailings daily
- Best for
- Coming from Harris / Lewis
Book your ferry
Vehicle spaces sell out weeks ahead in July and August. Foot passengers can usually walk on.
Fly to Benbecula
Benbecula Airport (BEB) sits in the centre of the island chain. Loganair operates year-round scheduled services.
Glasgow (GLA)
- Flight time
- 1 hr 10 min
- Frequency
- 1–2 daily
Best mainland connection
Edinburgh (EDI)
- Flight time
- 1 hr 20 min
- Frequency
- Mon, Wed, Fri
Seasonal schedule varies
Inverness (INV)
- Flight time
- 50 min
- Frequency
- Mon – Fri
Connecting from the Highlands
Book your flight
Loganair operates all routes. Baggage allowances are generous — 20kg hold + hand luggage.
Driving on Uist
A car is the best way to explore. All five islands are connected by causeways — you can drive the full chain without a ferry.
Roads
The A865 and A867 are the main spines. Most roads are single-track with passing places. Drive slowly and enjoy the views.
Causeways
Berneray–North Uist, North Uist–Benbecula, Benbecula–South Uist, and South Uist–Eriskay are all linked by road causeways.
Car hire
Available at Benbecula Airport and Lochmaddy. Book ahead in peak season — availability is limited.
Fuel
Petrol stations at Lochmaddy, Bayhead, Creagorry (Benbecula), Howmore, and Daliburgh. Most close on Sundays.
Buses
A public bus service (W17) runs the length of the islands Mon–Sat. Useful but infrequent — check timetables.
Cycling
Flat terrain and quiet roads make Uist excellent for cycling. E-bike hire available at some locations.
Practical tips
Book ferries early
Summer vehicle spaces sell out 4–6 weeks in advance. Foot passengers can usually walk on.
Sunday closures
Many shops, petrol stations, and businesses close on Sundays. Plan your supplies for Saturday.
Weather
Atlantic weather is changeable. Bring layers, waterproofs, and sunscreen — sometimes all in the same day.
Mobile signal
Coverage is patchy, especially on the west coast. EE and Vodafone have the best coverage. Download offline maps.
Cash
Some smaller businesses are cash-only. There are ATMs at Lochmaddy, Creagorry, and Daliburgh.
Gaelic
Uist is a Gaelic-speaking community. Road signs are bilingual. Locals appreciate a 'madainn mhath' (good morning).
How long do I need?
2–3 days
Enough to drive the islands, hit the best beaches, and visit a couple of heritage sites. Fly in to Benbecula for maximum time.
5–7 days
The sweet spot. Time to explore each island, kayak, fish, walk the machair, and properly slow down to island pace.
10+ days
Combine Uist with Harris, Lewis, or Barra for the full Outer Hebrides experience. Ferry-hop your way through the entire chain.
Find your base on Uist
Browse accommodation across all five islands and book your stay.