CAptain’s Mate of the Month - Lochmaddy, North Uist

  • Updated by Ann MacKellar
  • 1 Jun 2026
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CAptain’s Mate describes Lochmaddy on North Uist, Scotland, as an ideal gateway to exploring the Outer Hebrides.

Set at the head of Lochmaddy, the village offers a sheltered and scenic stop. The marina is located close to the ferry terminal, with village facilities within easy walking distance.

The community pontoons at Lochmaddy Marina are in an attractive location, offering mostly good shelter, although it can be boisterous in strong easterlies.

CA member and Polaris Award recipient Gail Hogg visited in April this year and has updated CAptain’s Mate to reflect the recent harbour improvements.

After a very friendly welcome from the volunteer harbour masters, Gail noted improvements to the pontoon layout which make berthing more straightforward: “A slight change to pontoon layout which no longer has the short finger perpendicular to hammerhead, making it easier to approach! Instead this has been placed further down shoreside on the main pontoon.”

Commenting on the amenities, Gail added, “Washing machine & dryer worked fine with £1 coins it seemed. Large well stocked local stores up the road, though limited supply of fresh meat. Plenty of fruit & veg though.”

Lochmaddy, North Uist

The approach

The entrance is well marked and regularly used by the Calmac ferry. The pontoons lie to the south-west of the ferry terminal. Visitors should check ferry movements as you need to keep well clear during arrivals and departures.

In addition to the marina, there are several nearby anchorages, including Bagh Aird nam Madadh.

Shoreside

Access ashore is via the pontoon, with a security code required for entry and exit. Facilities include shore power, showers and laundry, fuel and wifi at the marina. A supermarket and restaurants are nearby, and online shopping deliveries can be arranged.

Local area

For local exploration, you can visit the 5,000-year-old chambered cairn at Langais - apparently one of Northern Europe’s oldest surviving structures. Nearby, a smaller stone circle than Stonehenge sits in a very dramatic setting.

You can also catch a ferry to Uig on Skye and there are local taxi services and car hire.

Note that Sunday trading applies, with shops and restaurants in Lochmaddy closed, except for the Lochmaddy Hotel.

Beyond Lochmaddy

There are numerous location reports on CAptain’s Mate covering the Outer Hebrides, which are well worth exploring as you plan your cruising.

Plus, CA members can access extensive cruising resources on the website, including the Celtic area pages and dedicated information on cruising the West Coast of Scotland. This includes a Scottish Gems presentation from a Celtic Section seminar in October 2025.

Members visiting Lochmaddy are also supported by the CA’s Honorary Local Representative (HLR). Contact details are available on CAptain’s Mate or via the list of HLRs by country.

Lochmaddy, North Uist

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