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South Uist and Eriskay attractions

Attractions Click on images to enlarge and mouse over the image for a description

William Neill Gallery Askernish Map

Located on the right hand side of the road leading to Askernish Golf Course

William Neill is a wildlife artist based in South Uist, Western Isles.

The landscape and wildlife of the Hebrides is a constant inspiration, and he works as often as possible in the field, mainly using watercolour.

William Neill's drawings have appeared in numerous natural history publications, and he has also illustrated the Scottish Wildlife Trust's Discovery book of the Western Isles

Visit the Studio Gallery in Askernish, South Uist to see a range of work in watercolour and acrylic, limited editions and originals. william@william-neill.co.uk Tel: 01878 700237

www.william-neill.co.uk

Askernish Golf Course is the oldest golf course in the Western Isles and is a unique test for any grade of golfer. Restoration work has now begun on the eighteen holes laid out by 'Old' Tom Morris in 1891.

Uist Sculpture Trail This provides a pathway for exploration via a series of seven commissioned works by artists. All sculptures were commissioned by Taigh Chearsabhagh Museum and Arts Centre. Each sculpture involved the local community in its construction and all provide a place to sit surrounded by sea, islands and sky. The Listening Place by Valerie Pragnell is situated in South Lochboisdale. For more information and location of the sculptures click on the link Uist Sculpture Trail.

Rocket Range situated at the north west of the island is a missile testing range which was built in 1957-58 to launch the Corporal missile, Britain and America's first guided nuclear weapon. The Corporal missile, used in the Cold War, was tested here from 1959 to 1963, before giving way to Sergeant and Lance tactical nuclear missiles. The 'rocket range' as it is known locally has also been used to test high altitude research rockets, Skua and Petrel. The range is still owned by the MoD operated by QinetiQ as a testing facility for missile systems such as the surface-to-air Rapier missile and Unmanned Air Vehicles.

Loch Druidibeg in the north of the island is a National Nature Reserve owned and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The reserve covers 34 square kilometres of machair, bogland, freshwater lochs and estuary. Over 200 species of flowering plants have been recorded here, some of which are nationally scarce. It is considered one of the best places in the UK to see a full range of island wildlife and habitats. The area is very rich in birdlife and redshank, dunlin, lapwing and ringed plover can be seen. The reserve is also home to greylag geese on the loch and in summer corncrakes on the machair. You may also be lucky enough to spot an otter.

Eriskay ponies are the last surviving remnants of the original native ponies of the Western Isles of Scotland. They were crofters ponies, undertaking everyday tasks such as bringing home peat and seaweed and taking the children to school. Only the ponies willing to be trained and work hard, were retained, the others were culled. Over the centuries, the Eriskay ponies evolved into the hardy, versatile, people friendly animals that are recognised today. As Eriskay is so remote and due to difficulties with access, other breeds were not introduced, leaving a stock of pure bred ponies which had declined to a around 20 animals by the early 1970s. As the numbers became so desperately low, a group of people comprising a local priest, doctor, vet, scientist and crofters, got together and decided to save the ponies. Numbers have risen steadily and now there are over 400 ponies in the world.

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