Before 1960 the North Ford was often too wet to walk and too dry to sail

The Oitir Mhòr, the North Ford, is the stretch of sand and shallows between North Uist and Benbecula. Before the five-mile causeway opened in 1960, crossing it meant a ferry from Carinish to Gramsdale that could only operate at high tide, or the ford itself, which could only be crossed close to low water and usually only with a guide who knew the route. For significant parts of each day it was too wet to ford and not wet enough to sail. The causeway runs across Grimsay's western tip, which is why the island is joined to both neighbours.