South Uist, Benbecula and North UIST
(Page One of Three)

A 3 days visit on Motorbike in 1977 & 78

Ferrania 100 Transparency film. Home processed. 

 
Iona enters Lochboisdale Harbour and Cruises up to the pier

Macraynes' Ferry (Iona) departed from Castlebay around 5.15pm on a lovely sunny evening. The journey was spent virtually completely on top deck enjoying
the sun and warm light and watching Barra disappear into the horizon as South Uist got closer. I told of the rough journey I had on one of my travels from Oban
to Barra and South Uist, but this journey was excellent and as warm and sunny as a cruise on the Mediteranian and over all too soon.

 
Cruising between Barra & Sth Uist                                                          Iona berths alongside the pier

No matter how late the ferry may arrive the Information office opens up for the arrival and bookings made for a Hotel or B&B and you are welcomed
as warmly as if it were the middle of the day.

Lochboisdale: is the capitol town of South Uist, though no more than a village, set in a quiet bay alongside the Hotel. There is little else to see here
but plenty of lovely corners for photography. There is a chip shop and restaurant on the outskirts of the village then on past the Catholic Daliburgh
Hospital a pleasant granite building with a statue of Christ outside.

 
The coastguard at Lochboisdale.                                       Daliburgh Hospital, Lochboisdale

Loch Boisdale Hotel

There is only one main road (A865) on the long, narrow, Island. It rises from the Atlantic, in the west and the road runs between the lower edges with the Mountains
creating a wall all along the eastern coast. The main peak at Lochboisdale is Truirebheinn (1168') with a lower peak (902') overlooking the harbour. About two
miles beyond Lochboisdale the A865 meets the B888, which runs directly south to Pollachar (Inn). We shall discover this area first.

   
Lochboisdale from the south road towards Pollachar

Another road also goes straight ahead for Daliburgh worthy of a few moments stay. Back to the main road and turn south for about another mile and a 'loop' road turns
off to the right through Crossdougal and Kilpheter (St. Peter's Church). A ruin raised almost to ground level has markers to explain which rooms you are looking at.
It is set in a dip overlooking the shore with nice sands. A side road takes you back onto the main road but carry on south to Boisdale. This is a small community of
pleasant houses and is where I got B&B for the three nights stay. Out in the bay is a small island, Orosay.

 
Church & School near Crossroads, to the north of Lochboisdale

 
The coastline and ruins of Kilpheter Church (St. Peter's)

Beyond Boisdale you pass a small loch as the road cuts eastwards to rejoin the B88 on the final mile to Pollachar but first passing the hamlet of Smerclett. All there is at
Pollachar is a very pleasant small Inn. I dropped in on a warm sunny afternoon. There were only 3 or 4 people inside. I asked directions for the toilet and said I would
order a drink on return. On returning to the bar I started to order a beer when the barman pointed to a pint on the bar. I tried to explain I hadn't ordered yet, but he
pointed to the figures over in the corner and they raised their glasses in silent welcome, which I aknowledged and enjoyed my beer. There are not many places where
you get that sort of welcome.

Outside the Inn, by the shore is a large standing stone which looks over the sound to the Island of Eriskay and Barra. For the ferry a 'C' road goes eastwards for a
half a mile to Ludac. First passing through the hamlet of Kilbride, which has some fine houses.

The pier (concrete landing) sits in a lovely bay and it is worth going on a shade for a fine picture overlooking the islands. If you can get a boat tied up at the pier and
some people milling about, this adds colour and scale. Two ferries use this pier outside local fishing boats. The small passenger-only craft plies to EoIigarry on Barra
and the Ferry to Eriskay.

 
The standingstone overlooking the Isl;and of Erisky.  Pollachar Inn

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