Welcome
Explore a wildlife-rich grassland haven on the beautiful Scottish island of North Uist. This stunning Hebridean nature reserve has sweeping sandy beaches, a rocky foreshore, wild marshes and sculpted sand dunes. It's the perfect place to learn about traditional crofting agriculture, corncrakes and other wildlife.
Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
Balranald Nature Reserve toiletAlternative beach accessVisual
General
Getting here
For further information on accessible travel in Scotland, go to Transport Scotland.Travel by public transport
Situated on North Uist, either a ferry or a plane will need to be taken to reach the island. Ferries for Lochmaddy leave from Uig on Skye, but the reserve can also be reached via ferries from Mallaig and Oban which berth at Lochboisdale in South Uist.
The ferries run throughout the year, and more details can be found at www.calmac.co.uk
Travel by taxi
Parking
Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
Getting around inside
Public toilet
Balranald Nature Reserve toilet
Getting around outside
Balranald Nature Trail
• The first part of the path follows the crofting road, which is partially tarred and the rest is made up of compressed sand and soil. The middle section is blocked by narrow kissing gates and the track becomes a narrow path through the vegetation. This has had no management on it, and is a natural path. This crosses boulder beaches and some steep areas, which are not recommended for anyone of limited mobility. The latter part of the track again joins the road, or follows easy walking paths along the top of the beach.
Beach
The path to the beach from the lower car park (photographed) is steep and on loose sand.
Alternative beach access
The beaches associated with Balranald Nature Reserve do not have any infrastructure associated with them. The access in places is steep, but there is a gradual gradiant at the access from Hougharry township.