35 Top Things to Do in South Uist (2026)
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Looking for the best things to do in South Uist? I’ve got you covered.
Due to the lack of information online, discovering what to do on South Uist can be a time-consuming and frustrating task.
To save you time searching, I have visited South Uist many times. Using my own experiences, I have made a complete list of the most interesting things to do on South Uist.
Compared to the larger islands further north, there are fewer must-see sights on South Uist but that is also part of its charm. South Uist feels more remote and peaceful.
Harris and Lewis is normally where people go on their first trip to the Outer Hebrides but don’t dismiss the Uists.
This guide will show you how amazing this area is and lists all the great things to do. South Uist has some fantastic beaches, walks, an interesting history, and you can easily visit 8 other islands from there.
Things to Do in South Uist
1. Explore the Beaches
My favourite thing to see and do on South Uist is exploring the beaches. Pretty much the full 20 miles of the western side of South Uist is one long beach. This means that there are lots of bays to explore.
The prettiest beaches in South Uist are at the northern end of the island. The ones not to miss are:
- Stilgarry beach
- Kilaulay beach
- Kildonan beach
My post on the best beaches on South Uist has lots of photos. It also has all the information you need to plan a visit including where to park and how to access the beaches.
2. An Carra Standing Stone
Little is known about this 5 metre (17 foot) tall standing stone.
Standing stones are from the stone age and believed to have been placed in their location to commemorate important events or to celebrate certain religious beliefs.
Why this one was placed here nobody knows but the views out over the Uists are as impressive as the stone.
It can’t quite measure up to the Callanish Stones in Lewis but this is my favourite single standing stone.
Not many people visit but don’t make that mistake, put this down on your list of things to see in South Uist! Try to come on a clear day so you also get the fantastic views out over South Uist.
3. Cladh Hallan Round Houses
Not much remains of the Bronze Age round houses at Cladh Hallan but Visit Hebrides has come up with a brilliant way to bring this ancient site to life.
By downloading an app called Uist Unearthed you can explore what Clad Hallan looked like 3,000 years ago.
At the site look for a small wooden pole on the small bank opposite the round houses. It looks a bit out of place, but this is where you need to scan a marker to get the app to work.
It is only possible to launch the augmented reality when you are at the site with the app using the gps in your phone to track your location.
Through the app you can also listen to a traditional grave bearer telling the story of the Sluagh, a mythical figure in Scottish folklore. People believed the Sluagh was formed of dead souls flying through the air.
4. Kildonan Museum
This South Uist Museum has over 10,000 artifacts, the most famous is the Clan Ranald Stone. It is a Medieval stone that is less than a metre high but weights 160kg!
The stone used to be at the churchyard in Howmore until a day in 1990 when it was stolen during the night. 5 years later it was found in a flat in London after the occupier of the flat died.
When clearing out the flat the parents of the deceased noticed the ornate carvings on the stone and contacted the National Museum in Scotland. They confirmed that it was the stolen stone.
It is now back in its rightful place although in a more secure location inside the museum.
In addition to the museum there is a gift shop and café. The museum has an entrance fee and is open every day from April to October from 10am to 5pm. Note that the last admission is at 4.15pm.
5. Our Lady of the Isles Statue
The statue is at the northern end of Uist on the side of a hill called Ruabhal. At the top of the hill is a Ministry of Defence site.
Originally the MoD wanted to turn South Uist into a missile testing range with a large military town and facilities for building missiles. The proposal saw strong opposition from locals.
One of the leading figures fighting against the plans was the local priest, John Morrison. He raised most of the money needed to commission the Our Lady of the Isles Statue which was built as a response to the plans.
South Uist could have looked very different to what it does today if it wasn’t for the dedicated locals wanting to protect their way of life, language, and culture.
Below the statue is a car park and it is a short walk up to the 9 metre (30 foott) high statue.
Since South Uist is so flat you get amazing views out over the island from the statue.
6. Ormacleit Castle
Ormacleit castle is one of the castles in Scotland with the shortest lifespan. It took seven years to build and was only used for seven years before it burnt down.
The building was completed in 1708 and burnt down on the 13th of November 1715. How the fire started depends on where you read about it.
There seems to be more agreement around the date it happened. It was the day of the Battle of Sheriffmuir. This is also when the Jacobite uprising ended.
As a one sentence history lesson the Jacobite uprising in Scotland was an attempt to regain the throne for the Stuarts (think Mary Queen of Scots who was also called Mary Stuart and the Hollywood films detailing her life).
The owner of the castle died in the battle and it has been left a ruin ever since.
Having said that the house next door to the castle is a private house and the farm you drive through to get to it is a working farm. This means that the castle is private property and it looks very unstable so it should only be viewed from the road.
7. Polochar Standing Stone
The Polochar stone is right next to the parking area for the Polochar Inn at the southern tip of South Uist. The Polochar Inn is one of the few hotels on South Uist.
The stone looks out of place right next to the road and car park. On the plus side it must be the easiest standing stone in Scotland to get to!
The stone is believed to be from 2,000 BC but at only 1.7 metres high it is not as spectacular as the An Carra Standing Stone further north.
8. Watch Sunset From Ruabhal
Ruabhal, the hill by the Our lady of the Isles statue, is the best place in South Uist to watch sunset. There are two places on the hill that provide sweeping views out over South Uist and the sun setting in the sea.
One is next to the statue, the other is on the road up to the MoD facility at the top of Ruabhal.
Visitors are not allowed to enter the MoD facility but at the same level as the statue there is a small lay-by where you can park up and watch the sun set from your car.
9. Visit the Hebridean Jewellery Café
The Hebridean Jewellery shop was started in 1974. Today they sell their handmade jewellery in South Uist, Stornoway and Skye.
In addition to the shop there is a café with a good selection of cakes. The café and shop are open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm. It is closed on Sundays.
10. See the Machair
During June and July the machair erupts in beautiful colour along the western side of South Uist. It is normally found close to the beaches.
Two of the most colourful places to see the machair is by Kildonan beach and by walking the Kilpheder machair track.
11. Flora MacDonald’s Home
Flora MacDonald was a Jacobite heroine who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to France after his defeat at Culloden. Dressed as a maid the prince sailed from Benbecula to Skye before continuing on to France.
Unfortunately Flora was later arrested for her part in the plan and imprisoned at the Tower of London. She had a lucky escape after being released under a general amnesty.
The site in South Uist is often described as her birthplace but that is incorrect. This is where she lived as a young girl. Only the foundations of the house are still standing and a monument has been built in the middle.
12. Uist Sculpture Trail
If you are looking for things to do on Uist the sculpture trail is perfect since it extends across both North and South Uist.
The Uist sculpture park was commission by Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre in North Uist. One statue to visit in South Uist is Listening Place by Valerie Pragnell. It is south of Lochboisdale.
The location is marked on Google Maps or to help you find it the what3words is bungalows.skylights.stardom.
13. Try Salar Smoked Salmon
The renowned food from the island is the award-winning salmon from Salar Smokehouse. South Uist has many supermarkets and they all sell the Salar smoked salmon.
Currently it is not possible to visit the factory or the factory shop which is looking to relocate.
Unlike the Hebridean smoked salmon you might have tasted on Lewis, the South Uist smoked salmon comes as a flaky piece of salmon.
14. Teampull Mor in Howmore
A little north of the hostel in Howmore are ruins of two churches and two chapels.
This was once an important religious site and a seat of learning. It is also the burial place for one of the Clanranald chiefs.
15. Explore Lochboisdale
Lochboisdale is the largest town in South Uist and the hub for the Mallaig ferry. It has cafes, restaurants and a few souvenir shops.
There are not many rainy-day activities on South Uist but a trip here to visit Croft & Cuan is a good way to spend a few hours. According to locals they have the best burgers!
Book a stay at top rated Brae Lea Guest House in Lochboisdale!
16. Dun Vulan (also called Dun Mhulan)
Dun Vulan are the remains of an Iron Age broch which are close to Bornish. The main structure is believed to have been 12 metres high with other outbuildings next to it.
Conservationists have tried to protect what remains of the structure by building a sea wall close by. There is not much left.
It might be a sight of historic importance but given how little is left it is not the most impressive site on South Uist. You are better off going to Dun an Sticir on North Uist.
Further north on Lewis there are also interesting remnants from this period such as the Iron Age house on Bosta beach. Strictly speaking Bosta beach is on the island of Great Bernera not Lewis, but the two are connected by bridge.
17. Bornais Viking Settlement
At Bornais there was once a large Norse settlement. In the area they have found green marble from Greece and ivory from Greenland showing that the Vikings must have been skilled sailors travelling all over Europe.
The only way to appreciate this site is by using the Uist Unearthed app described above. Without the augmented reality it is just a field.
Day Trips
One of the most interesting things about staying in South Uist is that it is so easy to explore the nearby islands which all have a distinct look and feel.
It is worth spending a couple of nights in one of the best places to stay on South Uist to explore the area.
From Berneray in the north to Eriskay in the south a series of causeways mean that you can drive the whole way. In total there are 6 islands that you can drive between.
The only islands that you need to do a boat trip to South Uist from are Barra and Vatersay. They are also a short ferry ride away. These islands deserve more time but a day trip will allow you to see the highlights.
18. Berneray
Berneray is the northern most island you can get to without taking a ferry. It has a beach that has won many awards called West Beach and it is the best place in the Outer Hebrides to see seals.
Read my guide to Berneray Island which has a West beach map and photos to help you plan a day trip.
19. North Uist
The beaches on Harris get all the attention but North Uist has some of the prettiest beaches in the Outer Hebrides. The top beaches are:
- Clachan sands
- Malacleit sands
- Traigh Iar Beach and Machair
For photos of the best beaches on North Uist and all the information you need to plan a visit read my North Uist Beach Guide and my post on the best things to do in North Uist.
Except for exploring the beaches, the top things to do on North Uist are:
- Pobull Finn stone circle at Langass
- Walk around the Udal Peninsula
- Scolpaig Tower
The best way to see the island is by spending a couple of nights in one of the best places to stay on North Uist.
Book top rated Benview Bed & Breakfast in North Uist!
20. Grimsay
Grimsay is the only island in the Outer Hebrides that doesn’t have any beaches worth visiting. Since the other islands have so many it means that the rocky scenery on Grimsay makes for a nice change.
The island has an interesting circular road to drive which takes you past Ceann na h-Airgh café, two boat museums, Uist wool and Kallin shellfish.
Stay at the Grimsay Cabin which has a hot tub!
21. Benbecula
Benbecula is more of an island for shops and services. It has an airport, car rental and a supermarket with great selection called MacLennons.
There are several beaches such as Culla bay to explore but the one thing not to miss is a visit to Downpour Gin Distillery. They produce a few different types of gin and will soon start selling whisky.
22. Eriskay
Eriskay is a small island which can easily be explored in a day, or even half a day. The most interesting things to do on Eriskay is to visit the fantastic beaches, it is also home to the Politician, a pub overlooking the beach.
On the eastern side of the island seals can often be seen basking on the rocks at low tide. The road out on this side (towards Acarsaid Mhor) is in poor condition so unless you have a 4×4 explore this area on foot.
23. Barra and Vatersay
The ferry from Eriskay to Barra takes 40 minutes. If you are doing a day trip book tickets in advance to make sure you don’t get stranded in Barra.
A day is not a lot of time to see the top attractions on Barra and Vatersay so make sure you plan what you want to see in advance to make most of your limited time.
Barra and Vatersay both have amazing beaches, one even doubles as the island’s airport runway.
The best beaches on the islands are:
- Traigh Mhor – Barra
- Traigh a Bhaigh – East Beach – Vatersay
- Eoligarry beach – Barra
- Bagh a Deas – Vatersay
For more information and photos of the beaches read my Barra Beach Guide and Vatersay Beach Guide.
24. Mingulay Boat Trips
Are you asking yourself, can you visit Mingulay? The answer is yes. It is one of the most interesting day trips you can do from Barra.
Mingualy is an uninhabited island south of Vatersay known for its puffins, razorbills and kittiwakes.
The season for puffins is from May to Mid-July. If luck is on your side you might even see basking sharks on the way to the island.
Boat trips with Uist Sea Tours leave from Eriskay for the one-hour journey south past Barra to Mingulay. Day trips give you 3 hours on land to explore.
25. St Kilda
64 kilometres (40 miles) north of the Outer Hebrides are the islands of St Kilda. The islands are one of a few UNESCO sites to have a dual listing for both its nature and culture.
The islands have spectacular volcanic landscape and rich bird life. St Kilda is another place in the Outer Hebrides where you can see puffins in season, which is normally from May to mid-July.
There is a small campsite on the largest island called Hirta where you can stay for up to 5 nights. Most people go on a day trip. It is a long day with the boat journey being 3 hours each way, often in rough seas.
South Uist Walks
For detailed information and maps on the walks described below, as well as several other walks on South Uist, buy the Cicerone guide to Walking on Uist and Barra.
Buy the Cicerone Guide Book to Walking on Uist and Barra
26. Beinn Mhor – Long Walk
Best for: Panoramic views
The most spectacular long walk to do on South Uist is the walk along the ridge of Beinn Mhor. There are several routes but the most scenic starts near Sniseabhal and ends in Loch Eynort.
The problem with this route is that it means you must get a taxi one way.
To avoid that climb the ridge and come back the same way or do a circular route from Loch Eynort.
Since South Uist is flat from the top you can see Barra in the south and all the way to Benbecula in the north.
27. Loch Skipport – Long Walk
Best for: Adventure
Several walks start by Loch Skipport so it is possible to do shorter walks rather than the 6 hour walk to the top of Hekla, recommended here.
Don’t underestimate this walk. It is long and it can be difficult to find the path at times but if you stick with it you will be rewarded by an amazing variety of landscapes and views.
28. Walk Along Stilgarry Beach – Short Walk
Best for: Beaches
This is not a circular walk but the most scenic beach to walk along at low tide is Stilgarry beach. Park at the church in Ardivachar and walk for as long as you want.
The views towards Beinn Mhor are fantastic. After a windswept walk stop by the Jewellery café for a well-earned coffee and cake.
29. Arinaban Woodland by Loch Eynort – Short Walk
Best for: Seals
The circular walk around Arinaban Woodland takes about an hour. The views out over the loch are stunning but another reason to do the walk is for the wildlife.
Seals are nearly always seen on the shore of Loch Eynort. South Uist does not have many places where you can see these animals up close so this is the best place to come to see them.
Otters also live in the area but they are very difficult to see. Walkers have reported sightings of golden eagles so keep your eyes peeled on the skies above the ridges as well as the loch.
One thing to be aware of is that parking is limited. However most people come to look for seals and otters so it might only be a short wait for a space to free up.
30. Loch Druidibeg – Birds of Pray Trail – Short Walks
Best for: Eagles
The main reason to walk around Loch Druidibeg is to look for golden and white-tailed eagles, short-eared owls, merlin and hen harriers.
White-tailed eagles are often seen patrolling the shore of the loch and in recent years there has even been an occupied nest in the area containing chicks.
For the highest chance of seeing eagles walk between Stilgarry and the loch.
Buy the Cicerone Guide Book to Walking on Uist and Barra
Activities and Animal Watching
31. Long Island Retreat
By Loch Skipport is one of the most authentic island experiences you can have – a visit to a working croft.
They offer island tours, machair tours, sheep shearing demos, pony treks and crofting tours. On a crofting tour you can get up close and personal with highland cattle, Shetland ponies and wild red deer.
32. Try to See an Otter
When reading posts online it is easy to think that otters are easy to spot. Take that advice with a pinch of salt, they are not. The closest you are likely to get is seeing one on one of the “otters crossing” signs.
The best otter sighting spots in South Uist are on the causeways, both along the inland sea lochs as well as the bridges over to Benbecula and Eriskay.
For the highest chance of seeing one of these elusive animals come at dawn or a couple of hours before high tide.
33. Look for Seals
Seals are much easier to see than otters. The best place on South Uist to see seals are at Loch Eynort.
You are nearly guaranteed to see them bobbing in the water or lying on the rocks below the car park at the end of the road in Arinaban Woodland.
34. Go Fishing
With so many sea lochs the salmon and trout fishing in South Uist is some of the best in Europe. Bookings are required and can be made with Estate Lochs or South Uist Angling Club.
The South Uist Fishing website has all the details you need to book your South Uist fishing trip.
35. Play Golf at Askernish Golf Club
Askernish golf course is an 18-hole course built in 1891 and with an interesting history.
After a strong start the club fell on hard times in the 1990s. At that time the course was only playable thanks to a few determined locals.
When the funding for the new club house collapsed a vote was taken on whether to disband the club. Luckily it wasn’t disbanded.
In 2005 the course was mentioned to a golf course consultant who couldn’t believe his eyes when he came. After restoration it is today described as a hidden gem for golf enthusiasts.
Tee times can be booked online.
FAQ on the Attractions on South Uist
What Is the Main Town in the South Uist?
Lochboisdale is the main town on South Uist. It was first settled in the 19th Century during the herring boom. Later the pier was built and today this is where ferries to Mallaig and Oban depart from.
If arriving or leaving by ferry look out for Calvay Castle on the small island close to town. The castle is where Bonnie Prince Charlie hid in 1974, although it was already a ruin back then.
The town has a few souvenir shops and cafes but otherwise there is not much to see.
Final Thoughts on What to Do in South Uist
South Uist has a surprising number of good historic sights and a museum as well as amazing beaches. It is a great base for renting a cottage for a week to explore all the things to do in Uist.
Anyone travelling through the Outer Hebrides on a road trip should spend at least a couple of days on the island.
LOOKING FOR MORE ON THE OUTER HEBRIDES?
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Top 10 Best Eriskay, Benbecula and South Uist Accommodation Options
