A enjoyable exploration of the coastline of Lochmaddy, visiting a hidden camera obscura before heading through crofting land typical of North Uist.
Good path and track with return on the single track main road which is usually quiet.
Bus and ferry (from Uig, Skye) to Lochmaddy (Loch nam Madadh).
Lochmaddy.
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Whilst local walkers have carried out a makeshift repair, the Sponish footbridge is still officially closed for safety reasons.
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Start from Lochmaddy; there is parking just off the main road below the Tourist Information Centre. Walk up the main road and turn right opposite Morrison's shop to follow the signs for Uist Outdoor Centre and the Hut of the Shadows. The road follows the intricate shoreline of the bay where many seabirds can be seen. Turn right at the next junction to stay close to the shore and near the pier bear left to follow the road up to the junction opposite the Sheriff Courthouse.
Turn right here to pass the Tigh Dearg Hotel, and keep right where a road leads to the Outdoor Centre on the left. Soon pass through a metal kissing gate and continue ahead towards the large and severe-looking Sponish House. Bear slightly right to follow a signed path starting beside the gates to the pier.
Follow the path to a suspension bridge over a deep inlet and cross. On the other side keep right to follow a signed path (Hut of the Shadows) along the shore of Loch nam Madadh. The waters here are designated as a European Marine Special Area of Conservation because of the range of rare habitats from fresh water lochans to open sea water with over 200 small islets and intertidal reefs supporting a large number of seabirds, seals and otters.
Soon the turf roof of the small Hut of the Shadows can be seen on the right - detour to it and step inside to see the camera obscura which reflects an image of Loch nam Madadh onto the inside walls. The quality of the image depends on the light and sometimes fishing boats can be seen passing on the rippling water reflecting inside the circular stone-built hut. Remember to close the gate afterwards as the hut is a tempting shelter for sheep.
From the hut continue on the turf path following the shoreline until you bear left past a large barn to climb slightly and continue ahead until a track is reached. Turn left along the track to head inland, keeping right at a junction to cross a cattle grid and then pass a house on the right. The track crosses typical crofting grazing land interspersed by small lochans.
Eventually the main road is reached; turn left to begin the return to Lochmaddy. Although the main road on the island, the A867 is single track here and only really busy before and after the Uig ferry is due. Before leaving Lochmaddy it is worth visiting Taigh Chearsabhagh, an arts centre on the left side as you walk towards the ferry terminal, which houses a changing museum exhibition, art galleries, a cafe and shop which also operates as the local post office.
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