Audio tour Udal Peninsula, North Uist

This tour will guide you through one of the richest human and natural environments of the Outer Hebrides. It is an exciting and beautiful time capsule preserving centuries of human and natural impacts. At its heart is the 'machair' - a Gaelic word meaning ‘fertile plain’. For thousands of years families have farmed and continue to farm this rich landscape.

In this unique App members of the local community describe farming on the machair as well as its history and wildlife. As you walk out to the prehistoric and historic sites of the Udal Peninsula you will learn about the importance of the shore and beaches as well as attempts to stabilise the dunes. In this rich habitat there is much to see and explore.

You will be walking along beaches and tracks through the fragile machair farmland. Comfortable shoes are advised and be prepared for changing weather. The walk covers around 11 km or 7 miles. This is a great place to sit and take in the scenery, history, plants and wildlife so it may well take you more than the three hours walking time! By all means take a picnic and some water - but remember to take your litter home.  

Our warmest thanks, and those of Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath who have been our partners in producing this guided tour App, go to the local researchers, voices and recorders without whom this project would not have been possible: Donald Cameron, Mark Hall, Donald MacCormick, Chrissie MacCuish, Alisdair MacDonald, Isa MacKillop, Mary MacLean, James Macletchie, and Nannag Skivington. Our thanks also go to the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Udal Project for access to excavation archive material.

This tour has been produced with the support of GOSTEP (Eurostars project E!10028), Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the North Uist Development Company.