Lochmaddy

Lochmaddy (Scottish Gaelic: Loch nam Madadh [l̪ˠɔx nə ˈmat̪əɣ], "Loch of the Hounds") is the administrative centre of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Na Madaidhean (the wolves/hounds) are rocks in the bay after which the loch, and subsequently the village, are named. Lochmaddy is within the parish of North Uist.[1]

Lochmaddy
Lochmaddy viewed from the south
Lochmaddy is located in Outer Hebrides
Lochmaddy
Lochmaddy
Location within the Outer Hebrides
LanguageScottish Gaelic
English
OS grid referenceNF915686
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townISLE OF NORTH UIST
Postcode districtHS6
Dialling code01876
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Geography

Lochmaddy lies on the sea loch of that name and, due to the rocky nature of the coast, is the only settlement of any size on the east coast. Most of the island's settlements are on the west coast. Lochmaddy is at the eastern end of the A865 and close to the eastern end of the A867; these are the only two main roads on the island.[2]

History

Virtually the first mention anywhere of Lochmaddy is a complaint of "piracie and murder" in a report dated 1616: "Lochmaldie on the coast of Uist is a rendezvous for pirates" it said. The coves and inlets around the village were ideal hiding places for raiding ships stocked with fine goods bound for the clan chiefs of the time, and contraband activity persisted until the modern era.

Lochmaddy was an important fishing community before the commercial decline of the herring. During the reign of King Charles it was the site of a Royal Fishing Station.[3]

Economy

Nowadays, the same good harbour makes Lochmaddy the ferry port for the island, with the MV Hebrides plying the route to Skye. The commercial activity of shops and public building has been generated due to the port activity, and today the village has the only bank, courthouse, tourist information office and youth hostel on North Uist. Lochmaddy hospital closed in March 2001. It was replaced by the newly opened Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh (Uist and Barra Hospital) in Balivanich, Benbecula.

The current laird of North Uist, Fergus Granville,[4] lives at Callernish House, near Lochmaddy.

Ferry service
Preceding station   Ferry   Following station
Terminus   Caledonian MacBrayne
South Uist Ferry		   Uig

References
  1. "Details of Lochmaddy". Scottish Places. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  2. "A865". Sabre. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  3. "An account of Harris by John Knox". leverburgh.co.uk. 1787. Archived from the original on 29 May 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  4. David Profumo, In Focus: Fergus Granville, the driftwood sculptor inspired by North Uist, Country Life, 5 February 2021, accessed 25 January 2023
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lochmaddy.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lochmaddy.


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