The Isle Of South Uist

The Island & The Machair

South Uist, and the Uists are thought to date back several million years and would have been one land formation above sea level at that time, before the gradual rise in standard tides. Where tidal inlets have formed in the passing centuries (such as at Lochboisdale) the stumps of old forest can be found under the water as evidence of this.

The islands history is fascinating. We are told in 1098. King Magnus the Third took much from the Uists including gold, before setting the peat rich islands on fire, and later in 1745 the island was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie where he came to shore at Corodale Bay by the French ship Du Teillay before hiding from the navy. It is here that his introduction to a young Flora MacDonald led to the Prince, disguised as a servant girl, travelling with her across the water to Skye.

There are many medieval ruins on the island including a 13th Century castle on an island at the mouth of Loch Boisdale to where Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have taken refuge in 1746.

The Machair

The incredibly fertile machair of South Uist, a section of rich fertile land that was once sandy beach and reclaimed by the land, is home to unusual bird species, and during the spring and summer transforms into a carpet of rich and diverse colour from as many as 200 different species of wild flowers. Some of the bird species found include the corn crake, the bird featured in the Askernish Golf Club logo no less!