Page 169 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Scotland

THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS  167

has its headquarters in the main VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
village of Bailivanich. Another
causeway leads to South Uist, Practical Information
with its golden beaches, which Western Isles. * 28,000. n 26
are renowned as a National Cromwell St, Stornoway (01851)
Scenic Area. 703088. ∑ visithebrides.com
Transport
Eriskay ~ Stornoway, Benbecula, Barra.
One of the smallest and most g from Uig (Skye), Oban, Mallaig,
enchanting of the Western Isles, Kyle of Lochalsh and Ullapool.
Eriskay epitomizes their peace
and beauty. The island is best
known for the wrecking of the that separate sub species of
SS Politician in 1941, which mouse and wren have evolved.
inspired the book and film Tours are run by Westernedge
Whisky Galore. A bottle from its St Kildan men with their catch of seabirds Charters and Island Cruising.
cargo and other relics can be Volunteers can occasionally pay
seen in Eriskay’s only bar. It was St Kilda to join summer work parties on
at the beautiful beach of Coilleag These “Islands on the Edge of the the island, run by the National
A’Phrionnsa (Prince’s beach) that World” were the most isolated Trust for Scotland, owners of the
Bonnie Prince Charlie first set habitation in Scotland until the St Kilda World Heritage Site.
foot on Scotland at the start of ageing population requested to
his 1745 campaign. As a result, a be evacuated in 1930. The St g Island Cruising
rare convolvulus flower that Kildans developed a unique life­ 1 Erista, Uig, Isle of Lewis. Tel (01851)
grows here has become style based on harvesting sea­ 672381. ∑ island­cruising.com
associated with him. birds. The largest gannetry in the g Westernedge Charters
world (40,000 pairs) is now found Isle of Lewis. Tel (01851) 705965.
here. There are three islands and ∑ westernedge.co.uk
three stacks of awe some beauty,
each with soaring cliffs rising } St Kilda World Heritage Site
sheer to 425 m (1,400 ft) at their Tel (01463) 232034. «
highest. Such is their isolation ∑ kilda.org.uk
Crofting
Blue waters off the coast of Barra, looking
east to the Isle of Rum Crofts are small parcels of agricultural land, worked in con junction
with another source of income as they are too small to provide total
Barra subsistence. They originated in the early 1800s when landlords made
The dramatic way to arrive on available units of poor land on the coast, clearing the people from
Barra is by plane – the airstrip the more fertile areas, and making them dependent on wages from
is a beach and the timetable either fishing or collecting kelp (seaweed used to make commercial
depends on the tide. Barra is alkali). When these sources of income diminished, crofters endured
a pretty island, with its central over 50 years of extreme hardship through famine, high rents,
core of hills and circular road. eviction and lack of security. Not until 1886 was an Act passed which
gave crofters security and allowed families the right of inheritance
The western side is almost all (but not ownership). Today there are 17,000 registered crofts, almost
beaches. Over 1,000 species of all in the Highlands and islands. Governed by special regulations
flowers have been recorded. prohibiting the creation of new crofts, the crofters are eligible for
The view over Castlebay from special grants. Most crofters raise sheep, but recent trends are tree
the Madonna and Child statue, planting and providing habitats for rare birds. Crofting remains a vital
on top of Heaval hill, is partic­ part of Highland communities.
ular ly fine. The romantic Kisimul
Castle, set on an island, is the
15th seat of the Clan MacNeil. It
is currently being restored. Other
attrac tions are the Barra Heri­
tage Centre and a golf course.
+ Kisimul Castle
Tel (01871) 810313. Open Apr–Sep:
daily. & includes boat trip.
∑ historicenvironment.scot
n Barra Heritage Centre
Tel (01871) 810413. Open May–Sep: A traditional, thatched crofter’s house on the island of North Uist
Mon–Sat. 7 ∑ barraheritage.com

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