Transport timetables

Ferries, flights, and buses — everything you need to plan your journey to and around the Uist islands.

CalMac ferries

Ferry sailings

All ferry services to the Uist islands are operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). Book early in summer — vehicle spaces fill up fast.

Live service status

Current CalMac status for Uist routes — updates every 30 minutes

⛴️

Uig (Skye) → Lochmaddy

Lochmaddy → Uig

Duration
1 hr 45 min
Frequency
1–3 sailings daily
Arrives
North Uist

Main Skye connection. Vehicle booking essential in summer.

Full timetable & fares →
⛴️

Oban → Lochboisdale

Lochboisdale → Oban

Duration
5 hours
Frequency
1 sailing daily
Arrives
South Uist

Overnight departure possible. Best for drivers from Glasgow.

Full timetable & fares →
⛴️

Leverburgh (Harris) → Berneray

Berneray → Leverburgh

Duration
1 hour
Frequency
3–4 sailings daily
Arrives
North Uist (via Berneray causeway)

Sound of Harris crossing. Great for island-hopping from Lewis/Harris.

Full timetable & fares →
⛴️

Ardmhor (Barra) → Eriskay

Eriskay → Ardmhor

Duration
40 min
Frequency
4–5 sailings daily
Arrives
South Uist (via Eriskay causeway)

Short hop from Barra. Foot passengers rarely need to book.

Full timetable & fares →

Book your CalMac ferry

Vehicle spaces sell out weeks ahead in July and August. Foot passengers can usually walk on.

calmac.co.uk →
Benbecula Airport (BEB)

Flights

Benbecula Airport sits in the centre of the island chain. Loganair operates daily flights from Glasgow and Hebridean Airways connects to Stornoway.

Today's flights

Last updated 16:00

Arrivals

LM407 from Glasgow
Scheduled 10:45
Landed at 10:43

Departures

LM408 to Glasgow
Scheduled 11:15
Departed at 11:33

Data from HIAL. Updated hourly.

Glasgow (GLA)

Loganair

Flight time
1 hr 10 min
Frequency
1–2 daily
Baggage
20kg hold + hand
View schedule & book →

Stornoway (SYY)

Hebridean Airways

Flight time
~30 min
Frequency
Check schedule
Type
Inter-island hop
View schedule & book →

Connecting from further afield?

Loganair has codeshare agreements with British Airways and KLM, and interline partnerships with Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and more — so you can book a single ticket through Glasgow to Benbecula with checked-through luggage.

View airline partners →
Council buses

Bus timetables

Council-run buses connect the islands from Berneray in the north to Eriskay in the south. Monday to Saturday only — no Sunday services.

W16 / W17 Spine route

Berneray to Eriskay

The main north–south service connecting all five islands. The most useful route for visitors — connects both ferry terminals.

W16

North Uist — Berneray & Lochmaddy to Balivanich

Connects the Berneray ferry terminal and Lochmaddy to central Benbecula.

W17

South Uist — Balivanich to Eriskay

Connects central Benbecula south through Howmore, Daliburgh, Lochboisdale to the Eriskay–Barra ferry.

W18

North Uist Circular

Circular route around north-west North Uist. Useful for reaching beaches and more remote areas.

W19

Benbecula Local

Balivanich local area service. W19D provides demand-responsive transport to East Gerinish and Uiskevagh — book ahead.

Tips for bus travel

  • Services are infrequent — typically 3–5 trips per day on the spine route. Plan around the timetable.
  • No Sunday services on any route.
  • Buses connect with CalMac ferries at Lochmaddy (from Skye) and Eriskay (from Barra).
  • Cash fares or concessionary travel cards accepted.
  • The W19D demand-responsive service must be booked in advance.

Official bus timetables

Full PDF timetables from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, including fare charts and demand-responsive services.

cne-siar.gov.uk →

Bus services operated by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Timetables subject to seasonal change — check the council website for the latest.

Planning your trip?

Find your accommodation first — the islands are best explored with a home base.