North Uist is much more genuinely an island than Harris, but even the two Uists are now joined by a causeway (opened by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother in l960) via Grimsay and Benbecula and a bridge. Although separated from Harris by some 8 miles of sea, north Uist has been described as the beginning of the Northern Outer Hebrides (before they all became, officially as well as in fact, the Western Isles) having a closer link with Harris than its southward extensions, and more Norse blood.
- North Uist Geolocation Latitude 57.5704° N Longitude -7.2812° W
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In these ecumenical days, religious denominations should be of little account. but it is an oddity that, the Reformation being, after all, a recent event in history, North Uist is Protestant, Benbecula half and half, and South Uist and Barra almost entirely Catholic. lt may be stressed that all these communities dwell in the greatest amity, but the Protestant visitor should note that services are in Gaelic (and very beautiful to listen to even if not understood) but part will be in English when visitors are present".
North Uist is lavishly endowed with freshwater lochs and sea inlets on its eastern half an anglers happy hunting ground (for controlled freshwater fishing the Western Isles Tourist Organization should first be consulted), but there are also several small hills Eaval (1138 ft). South Lea (920 ft) and North Lea (823 ft), from which there are splendid panoramas, but they may be reached only on foot.
On the west the terrain is quite different, with fertile machair cultivated by thriving communities of crofters.
Vegetation is lush and this area is noted for its wild flowers, its scope for botanist and ornithologist and its superb miles of silvery sands.
At Balranald. near the western promontory of Ard an Runair on the Sound of Monach, there is the Nature Reserve of the Royal Society tor the Protection of Birds, established especially to protect rare red-necked phalaropes, and with its sands, duties and machair, this is considered one of the most important wetland reserves in the Western Isles. Access is limited, the Summer Warden is at Houghgarry.
There are many standing-stones. eireles. eairn and other archaeological relics. the most important being at Carinish some l4 miles south from Lochmaddy the busy ‘capital' of the island.
