Lochmaddy brings together the ferry link to Skye with a maritime landscape, local history and art. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning your trip: arriving by ferry, cultural sites and a section of the Hebridean Way. Combining travel, culture and walking helps you organise your stay around your dates and interests. Lochmaddy’s long Hebridean seafaring history dates back to Norse times.

Ferry Link and Seascape

Lochmaddy is the ferry terminus for the route to Uig on Skye. As ferry services and timetables can change, check departures for your travel dates. This lets you treat the crossing as a separate part of your planning.

Lochmaddy is a complex fjard sea inlet. The sea loch and lagoons have been officially recognised by the European Commission as a marine Special Area of Conservation. The geographical classification as a fjard and the protected status relate to different features of the marine environment.

Courthouse History and Culture

Lochmaddy Old Courthouse and Exercise Yard Walls was formerly a courthouse and prison. Its octagonal exercise yard was enclosed by walls on three sides; the former courthouse had vaulted cells on the ground floor. These specific features of the complex offer insight into its former use.

Taigh Chearsabhagh in Lochmaddy includes a museum and gallery with a photographic collection. The North Uist Historical Society regularly holds exhibitions there. If you want to plan your trip around an exhibition, check the dates in advance.

Art and Walking

Hut of the Shadows is in Sponish, a 20-minute walk north of Lochmaddy. The installation functions as a camera obscura: lenses and mirrors project the outside landscape onto a large stone inside. It is part of the Uist Sculpture Trail. Unlike the photographic collection at Taigh Chearsabhagh, the image here is created by optical projection.

For walkers, the route information is also specific: section F of the Hebridean Way ends in Lochmaddy. Away from this route section, nearby Barpa Langais is the best-preserved Neolithic chambered cairn in the Outer Hebrides. Pobull Fhinn is easily accessible via a footpath near Langass Lodge.

Marina and Local Places to Eat

Lochmaddy Marina offers sheltered berths for visitors and permanent berth holders. Shore power, fresh water and Wi-Fi are available at the berths; the marina also has showers, toilets and laundry facilities. As marina facilities can change, check the latest information before planning to use these services.

Bàgh an t-Salainn is a bakery and café overlooking Lochmaddy Bay. It is worth checking the café’s current information if you are planning to visit, as details can change.

For the wider travel overview: Isle of North Uist.