View source for Lochboisdale

{{Short description|Village and port in Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name                    = Lochboisdale
| gaelic_name                      = Loch Baghasdail
| static_image_name                = The A865 road through Lochboisdale (geograph 4245080).jpg
| static_image_caption             = The main road through Lochboisdale
| language                         = [[Scottish Gaelic]]
| language1                        = [[English language|English]]
| coordinates                      = {{coord|57.154|-7.309|display=inline,title}}
| country                          = Scotland
| os_grid_reference                = NF790195
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 177
| london_distance_mi               = 485
| post_town                        = ISLE OF SOUTH UIST
| postcode_area                    = HS
| postcode_district                = HS8
| dial_code                        = 01878
| civil_parish                     = [[South Uist]]
| constituency_westminster         = [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]]
| unitary_scotland                 = [[Outer Hebrides|Na h-Eileanan Siar]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Outer Hebrides|Western Isles]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]]
}}

'''Lochboisdale''' ({{langx|gd|Loch Baghasdail}} {{IPA|gd|ɫ̪ɔx ˈbɤːs̪t̪ɪl|}}) is the main village and port on the island of [[South Uist]], [[Outer Hebrides]], Scotland. Lochboisdale is within the parish of South Uist, and is situated on the shore of Loch Baghasdail at the southern end of the [[A865 road (Great Britain)|A865]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A865|title=A865|publisher=Sabre|accessdate=22 December 2014}}</ref>

==History==
The town profited from the [[herring]] boom in the 19th century, and a steamer [[pier]] was built in 1880. In 1905, a mission church was built, and by 1953, steamers were connecting Lochboisdale with [[Oban]], [[Castlebay]], [[Mallaig]] and [[Lochmaddy]].

==Economy==
Lochboisdale is the ferry terminal for the island of South Uist, with regular vehicle ferry services to [[Mallaig]] and, in the winter, [[Oban]]. The pier area has undergone a transformation; the old shop and surrounding buildings were either renovated or removed to provide new housing and commercial units for rent.

Lochboisdale Hotel, built in the late 19th century as a fishing hotel, is adjacent to the ferry terminal.

The whole village is within walking distance of the pier, and has a [[post office]] with a [[Coffeehouse|coffee shop]] and [[internet café]]. A bank ([[Royal Bank of Scotland|RBS]]) branch is also present in the village and has a 24h ATM, although the branch itself is only open once a week. By the pier is an all-purpose store called Fàilte (meaning welcome in the local Gaelic language).

Lochboisdale Development Limited have recently opened a new harbour on the small island of Gasaigh. This is about {{convert|1|km|yd|abbr=on}} from the village, and is reached by two causeways. The harbour provides many facilities. Mooring licences are available for day visiting, monthly and seasonal berths, with inclusive use of the quayside facilities, WiFi, showers and laundry.

== Ferry service==
{{s-rail-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-rail|title=Ferry}}
{{rail line one to two |previous=|next1=[[Oban railway station|Oban]]<br><small>(winter only)</small>|next2=[[Mallaig railway station|Mallaig]]|route=[[Caledonian MacBrayne]]<br><small>[[South Uist]] Ferry</small> |col={{CalMac color}} }}
{{s-end}}

==Trivia==
London-based restaurant chain Boisdale is named after Lochboisdale, having been founded in 1987 by Ranald Macdonald, the eldest son of the 24th [[Scottish clan chief|Chief]] of [[Clanranald]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehandbook.com/venue/boisdale-of-belgravia/ |title=Boisdale of Belgravia - Venue |publisher=Thehandbook.com |date= |accessdate=2018-03-27}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Lochboisdale}}
* [https://archive.today/20010225143629/http://homepages.rya-online.net/whisca/csl.htm Comann Seolaidh Lochbaghasdail (sailing club)]
* [http://www.lochboisdale.com Lochboisdale Hotel]
* [http://www.facebook.com/UistPO?ref=tn_tnmn Lochboisdale Coffee Shop/Cafe]

{{Na h-Eileanan Siar places}}
{{CalMac Oban ferries|collapse=yes}}
{{CalMac Mallaig ferries|collapse=yes}}

[[Category:Villages on South Uist]]


{{WesternIsles-geo-stub}}