View source for Uist

{{Short description|Scottish islands}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[File:South part of Outer Hebrides by Sentinel-2.jpg|thumb|Satellite photo of Outer Hebrides]]
'''Uist''' is a group of six islands that are part of the Outer Hebridean Archipelago, which is part of the [[Outer Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]].

'''[[North Uist]] and [[South Uist]]''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|juː|ɪ|s|t}} or {{IPAc-en|ˈ|uː|ɪ|s|t}}; {{langx|gd|Uibhist}} {{IPA|gd|ˈɯ.ɪʃtʲ|}}) are two of the islands and are linked by [[causeway]]s running via the isles of [[Benbecula]] and [[Grimsay]].

From south to north, the inhabited islands in the island group are {{lang|gd|Èirisgeigh}} ([[Eriskay]]), {{lang|gd|Uibhist a Deas}} (South Uist), [[Grimsay, South East Benbecula|Grimsay (South)]], {{lang|gd|Beinn nam Faoghla}} ([[Benbecula]]), {{lang|gd|Eilean Fhlodaigh}} ([[Flodaigh]]), {{lang|gd|Griomasaigh}} [[Grimsay (North)|Grimsay]], {{lang|gd|[[Seana Bhaile]]}}, {{lang|gd|Uibhist a Tuath}} (North Uist), {{lang|gd|Am Baile Sear}} ([[Baleshare]]) and {{lang|gd|Beàrnaraigh}} ([[Berneray, North Uist|Berneray]]).

The islands, collectively, have a population of 4,723.<ref name=NRS>{{NRS1C}}</ref>

==Major settlements==
[[File:The new South Uist Care Hospital at Daliburgh - geograph.org.uk - 300945.jpg|thumb|[[Daliburgh]] hospital]]
[[File:Benbecula Balivanich Aerial View.jpg|thumb|[[Balivanich]] from the air]]
[[File:Leaving Lochmaddy - geograph.org.uk - 929584.jpg|thumb|right|[[Caledonian MacBrayne]] ferry  [[MV Hebrides|MV ''Hebrides'']] leaving [[Lochmaddy]], [[North Uist]] en route for [[Skye]]]]
The main settlements in Uist are:

===South Uist===
* {{lang|gd|Dalabrog}} ([[Daliburgh]])
* {{lang|gd|Loch Baghasdail}} ([[Lochboisdale]])
* {{lang|gd|Snaoishabhal}} ([[Snishvale]])
* {{lang|gd|Staoinebrig}} ([[Stoneybridge]])
* {{lang|gd|Iochdar}} ([[Eochar]])
* {{lang|gd|Pollochar}} ([[Polochar]])
* {{lang|gd|Èirisgeidh}} ([[Eriskay]])

===Benbecula===
* {{lang|gd|Baile a' Mhanaich}} ([[Balivanich]])
* {{lang|gd|Creag Ghoraidh}} ([[Creagorry]])
* {{lang|gd|Lioniclate}}  ([[Liniclate]], Lionacleit<ref>{{cite web |title=Campuses and Centres - Benbecula |url=https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-us/campuses-and-centres/benbecula/ |website=UHI North, West and Hebrides |access-date=6 August 2024}}</ref>)

===North Uist===
* {{lang|gd|Càirinis}} ([[Carinish]])
* {{lang|gd|Ceann a' Bhàigh}} ([[Bayhead]])
* {{lang|gd|Solas}} ([[Sollas]])
* {{lang|gd|Loch nam Madadh}} ([[Lochmaddy]])
* {{lang|gd|Baile Mòr}} (Balemore)

==16th century==

===Geography===
Writing in 1549, [[Donald Monro (Dean)|Sir Donald Monro]], High Dean of the Isles stated of "Ywst" that it was a fertile country full of high hills and forests on the east coast with five parish kirks. He also noted that in the north of "Ywst ther is sundrie covis and holes in the earth, coverit with heddir above, quhilk fosters maney rebellis in the countrey".<ref name=M154>Monro (1549) no. 154</ref>

===Fishing===
Monro referred to the "infinite number of fresh water loches",<ref name=M154/> including [[Loch Bì]], which is South Uist's largest loch and at {{convert|8|km|mi|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} long it all but cuts the island in two. Monro stated that "the sea has gotten enteries to this fresche water loche" and described the "thicke dyke of rough staines" that had been created to prevent salt water ingress. This apparently resulted in numerous fish being caught in the stones, including "fluikes, podloches, skatts, and herings" and he described another "kynd of fishe, the quhantitie and shape of ane salmont, but it has na skaills at all; the under haffe, narrest his vombe is quhite, and the upmaist haffe narrest his back is als black as jett".<ref name=M154/>

===Land tenure===
Monro's description was:
<blockquote>This countrey is bruiked by sundrey captains; to witt, the south southwest end of it, callit Bayhastill, be M’Neill of Barray, the rest of the ile, namit Peiter’s parochin, the parochin of Howes, and the mayne land of the mid countrey callit Mackermeanache, perteins to Clanronald, halding of the Clandonald. At the end heirof the sea enters, and cuts the countrey be ebbing and flowing through it: and in the north syde of this there is ane parochin callit Buchagla, perteining to the said Clandonald. At the north end thereof the sea cuts the countrey againe, and that cutting of the sea is called Careynesse, and benorth this countrey is called Kenehnache of Ywst, that is in Englishe, the north head of Ywst, whilk term is twa paroche kirks, and is mair of profit than the rest of haill of Ywst, perteining to Donald Gormesone.<ref name=M154/></blockquote>

==See also==
* {{lang|gd|[[Propataireachd]]}}

==Bonnie Prince Charlie==
[[Benbecula]] was the island from which [[Flora MacDonald]] aided the escape of Prince Charles Edward Stuart ([[Bonnie Prince Charlie]]) to [[Kilbride, Skye]] in June 1746, following his defeat at the [[Battle of Culloden]].

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
{{Monro}}

==See also==
* [[List of Outer Hebrides]]
* {{lang|gd|[[Còmhla-bhigein]]}}
* [[Force-fire]]

==External links==
* [http://robinwilson.net/uist.html Panoramas of Uist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060617024747/http://robinwilson.net/uist.html |date=17 June 2006 }} (QuickTime required)
* [http://www.armadale.org.uk/uist.htm Archaeology of Uist - kite aerial photography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105044203/http://www.armadale.org.uk/uist.htm |date=5 November 2013 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110322220014/http://www.uist.co.uk/ Local Site Dedicated to Uist]

{{Coord|57.446|N|7.320|W|region:GB_type:isle|display=title}}
{{Islands of Scotland}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Uist| ]]