Slipways on Uist?????

Julie · 14 January 2010, 19:12

I’m looking for slipways on Uist (North and South). The only one I can find ‘officially’ registered is Lochmaddy. But by the terrain I’m assuming there’s a lot more……..

I used to take pics & registered a few remote ones on boat launch myself a few years ago., then got out of the habit. Does anyone on here know of more? Any recommendations?

Otherwise I guess I just commandeer ferry slipways when not in use?

(And whilst on the subject any recommendations on good inns/small hotels with real ale and live music in the vicinity - or is that asking too much :-))

Thanks
Julie

seafariskye · 14 January 2010, 22:37

Julie

I do a bit of work out in uist - are you looking at launching on the East side or the west side? where are you going to be based?

cheers

Pete

jwalker · 14 January 2010, 23:01

Good ferry slips north and south of the Berneray causeway. At the south end there are slips either side of the causeway so you can go east or west. Lochmaddy slips are not so good but are usable.

Julie · 15 January 2010, 07:48

Thanks....

I’ll be there 3 nights, not really bothered where I’m based, I’ll tow to different slipways. (Do either of you have a recommendation of good accommodation – nothing in Real ale guide, and good pub guide only mentions Langast Lodge Lochmaddy?).

I’ll arrive at Lochmaddy, then probably leave from Loch Boisdale.

Looking at the maps the East costs looks very interesting, launching from Berneray looks good – Launch one side, recover the other!

Any ideas on Slips in South Uist?

Thanks
Julie

Tarbh · 15 January 2010, 16:30

Julie,

In Lochmaddy, the slipway is at the "Wee Pier" or on the charts as Charles Harbour.
Is it useable in all but very low tides.

In Berneray, ferry slipways at both ends of the causeway on the east side, on the west side the is good, but no good at low water...
If you do use the west slipway, watch out for the sand bar on the south side of Berneray...the slip is good for launching for the islands on the west including Taransay and Scarp.

There is another slip at Griminish (on the North Coast), its at bit tricky to manoeuvre down as it has a dog leg...but it is useable in all states of the tide as it runs on to sand at the bottom.

The only place i've launched in South Uist is Loch Skipport...again a tidal slip...

Accommodation wise...North Uist, Langass Lodge www.langasslodge.co.uk and Tigh Dearg www.tighdearghotel.co.uk
South Uist - Look at the Isles hotel group website...they have two hotels on Benbecula and one is South Uist.http: www.isleshotelgroup.co.uk
There is also the lochboisdale Hotel www.lochboisdale.com & The Polochar Inn...www.polocharinn.com

Hope this helps...

Julie · 15 January 2010, 17:15

Thanks...

I scoured google maps at high resolution, till I went cross eyed......Noticed Polochar Inn have there own slipway, and according to them it's usable.... perfect!

Also looks a good slip at Eriskay.

I'll check out your accommodation ideas in the north/middle too

Thanks
Julie

Boo · 20 January 2010, 09:43

Julie,

Was alongside the slip at Eriskay in 2008 and it would be suitable for launching. Just take a left turn after crossing the causeway and you are there! Access to east & west as you can go below the causeway.

Beautiful anchorage and you can camp/eat/drink at the Politician

Easy access to Barra, Vatersay, Mingulay etc etc

Could prob find pics of this slip if it would help.