Undiscovered Scotland

 

Pollochar lies at the "heel" of South Uist, where the road that runs the length of the island reaches the south coast. From here you are treated to truly magical views south across the Sound of Barra to the north end of the island of Barra.

Pollochar itself is not large, comprising mainly the Pollochar Inn. On the shore nearby is a lone standing stone. Some believe that this was used as a marker to help sailors make the passage through the Sound of Barra. Others suggest that it's no longer in its original position.

East from Pollochar, the road hugs the coast as far as the north end of the causeway to Eriskay at Ludag. Here you find a pier that was used by the Eriskay ferry until the opening of the causeway in July 2001. Beyond the causeway the coast road continues into South Glendale, where it ends.

North of Pollochar a number of roads to the west of the B888 run through scattered townships before giving access to the coastline. Perhaps the best of these is the road through Garrynamonie. This is signposted to a picnic area from the main road, and the junction is just south of the imposing bulk of Our Lady of Sorrows RC Church. En route through Garrynamonie, you pass one of the most remarkable buildings in the Uists, a thatched croft house that has clearly survived in occupation for a very considerable period of time.

The beach west of Garrynamonie is a beautiful broad sweep of white shell sand, made still more attractive by the tidal island of Orosay at its north end. Those intent on exploration can find their way to the end of a very rough road west of Boisdale that takes you past a ruined church to the shore directly opposite Orosay. This is slightly blighted by the collection of derelict trucks and the very unsightly net maintenance plant at the end of the road. But if you wanted to make the crossing to Orosay, this would probably be the best place from which to do it.

Head back to the main B888 from Boisdale and you find yourself at a crossroads. Carrying straight on takes you along minor single track roads along the south side of Loch Boisdale to South Lochboisdale. This road is worth taking, because from along it you gain some really beautiful views north across the incredibly complex loch to Lochboisdale.

You also find yourself passing a number of thatched cottages being brought back into use, and, at the end of the road, a stone and metal sculpture. There are a number of "road end sculptures" in the Uists, but the one in South Boisdale is the most humorous: it incorporates a number of parts taken from old tractors, something South Uist has in super-abundance.