NORTH AND

See also:

• SOUTH
• SOUTH, ROBERT (1634–1716)

SOUTH

See also:

• NORTH AND SOUTH UIST

UIST  , islands of the outer Hebrides, Inverness-shire, Scotland . North Uist lies S.W. of Harris (Long Island), from which it is separated about 8 m. by the Sound of Harris . The island measures 14 M. in length by 16 nu in greatest width, but the coasts are extremely indented . The highest point is Mt Eaval (1138 ft.) . The principal sea-lochs are Loch Maddy and Loch Eport, both on the east . On the east coast the surface is mostly swampy moorland, but on the west there is some fertile soil . The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in crofting, fishing and cattle-rearing . The principal village, Loch Maddy, is the centre of a large trade, and is a favourite resort of anglers, being a regular calling station for the steamers from Oban and Portree . The islands belonging to the parish of North Uist comprise—to the south-west Balleshare and Illeray (pop., 383), Kirkibost, Heisker (98), and the Monach group, with a lighthouse on Shillay; to the south, Grimisay (290) and Ronay; to the north-east, Levera; to the north, Boreray (118) and Vallay . South Uist has a population (1901) of 3541, an extreme length of 22 M. and an extreme width of 8 m . Towards the north-east it becomes mountainous, the highest points being Buail'a Choill (2034), Ben More (1994) and Hecla (1988) . The chief sea-lochs are Loch Boisdale, largely frequented by anglers, Loch Eynort and Loch Skiport on the east coast .

On the east

side the surface is mainly alluvial peat, broken by hills, but on the west there is a belt of productive land . Besides crofting, the inhabitants are engaged in the fisheries and cattle-raising . Steamers from Oban call regularly at the village of Loch Boisdale . The islands attached to the parish of SouthUist include, to the south, Eriskay (pop., 3478), where Prince Charles landed on the 2nd of August 1745; to the north-east, Wiay; to the north, Grimisay, Fladda, just off the north-east shore of Benbecula, and Benbecula (pop., 1417), with an area of 40 sq. m., from which there is at low tide a ford to North and South Uist .