Editing North Uist

{{Short description|Island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Scottish island
|coordinates        = {{coord|57.6|-7.333|display=inline}}
|location_map       = Scotland Outer Hebrides
|caption            = North Uist shown within the Outer Hebrides
|GridReference      = NF835697
|celtic name        = Uibhist a Tuath
|gaelic pronunciation={{IPA|gd|ˈɯ.ɪʃtʲ ə ˈt̪ʰuə||Uibhist a Tuath.ogg}}
|scots name         = North Uist<ref>{{cite web | url=https://d3lmsxlb5aor5x.cloudfront.net/library/document/Map_of_Scotland_in_Scots-Guide_and_gazetteer.pdf | title=Map of Scotland in Scots - Guide and gazetteer}}</ref>
|norse name=
|meaning of name    = North Uist (etymology of "Uibhist" is unclear)
|area               = {{convert|30305|ha|acre|0|abbr=on}}
|area rank          = 10
|highest elevation  = Eaval {{convert|1138|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Population         = 1,254<ref name="NRS">{{NRS1C}}</ref>
|population rank    = 12
|population density = 4.14 people/km<sup>2</sup><ref name="NRS"/><ref name="Smith"/>
|main settlement    = [[Lochmaddy]]
|island group       = [[Uist]] and [[Barra]]
|local authority    = {{lang|gd|[[Comhairle nan Eilean Siar]]}}
|references         = <ref name="Smith">{{Haswell-Smith}}</ref><ref name="OS">{{Ordnance Survey}}</ref><ref name="MunchGoss">{{cite web |url=http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/manxsoc/msvol22/author.htm |title=The Chronicles of Mann |volume=22 |editor1=Munch |editor2=Goss |publisher=Manx Society |year=1874 |access-date=31 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lexicon.ff.cuni.cz/png/oi_zoega/b0229.png |title=A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic |author=[[Geir T. Zoëga]] |year=1910 |publisher=[[Germanic Lexicon Project]] |access-date=4 July 2007 }}</ref>
{{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = North Uist Machair and Islands
| designation1_date = 22 July 1997
| designation1_number = 1004<ref>{{cite web|title=North Uist Machair and Islands|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1004|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
|Image=File:North Uist by Sentinel-2.jpg}}
'''North Uist''' ({{langx|gd|Uibhist a Tuath}}; {{langx|sco|North Uise}}) is an island and [[community council|community]] in the [[Outer Hebrides]] of [[Scotland]].

==Etymology==
In [[Donald Monro (Dean)|Donald Munro's]] ''A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland Called Hybrides'' of 1549, North Uist, [[Benbecula]] and [[South Uist]] are described as one island of ''Ywst'' (Uist). Starting in the south of this 'island', he described the division between South Uist and Benbecula where "the end heirof the sea enters, and cuts the countrey be ebbing and flowing through it". Further north of Benbecula he described North Uist as "this countrey is called Kenehnache of Ywst, that is in Englishe, the north head of Ywst".<ref name="monro-westernislands">''A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland Called Hybrides''; Monro, Donald, 1549</ref>

Some have taken the [[etymology]] of Uist from [[Old Norse]], meaning "west",<ref name=Smith/> much like [[Westray]] in [[Orkney]].<ref name="Thomas-p475-476">{{cite journal| author=Thomas, F. W. L.| title=Did the Northmen extirpate the Celtic Inhabitants of the Hebrides in the Ninth Century?| journal=Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot.| volume=11| pages=475–476}}</ref> Another speculated derivation of Uist from Old Norse is ''{{lang|non|Ívist}}'',<ref name=MunchGoss/> derived from ''{{lang|non|vist}}'' meaning "an abode, dwelling, domicile".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cleasby |first1=Richard |last2=Vigfusson |first2=Gudbrand |name-list-style=amp |title=An Icelandic–English dictionary |year=1874 |page=711 |publisher=Germanic Lexicon Project |url=http://lexicon.ff.cuni.cz/png/oi_cleasbyvigfusson/b0711.png |access-date=6 January 2008}}</ref>

A [[Goidelic languages|Gaelic]] etymology is also possible, with ''{{lang|gd|I-fheirste}}'' meaning "Crossings-island" or "Fords-island", derived from ''{{lang|gd|I}}'' meaning "island" and ''{{lang|gd|fearsad}}'' meaning "estuary, sand-bank, passage across at ebb-tide".<ref name="Thomas-p475-476"/><ref name="fearsaideag">{{cite web| url=http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MB2/mb17.html#fearsaideag | title=An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language| access-date=31 October 2007}}</ref> Place-names derived from ''{{lang|gd|fearsad}}'' include [[Fersit]], and [[Belfast]].<ref name="fearsaideag"/> {{lang|gd|Mac an Tàilleir}} (2003) suggests that a Gaelic derivation of ''Uist'' may be "corn island".<ref>Mac an Tàilleir (2003) p. 116</ref> However, whilst noting that the ''{{lang|non|-vist}}'' ending would have been familiar to speakers of [[Old Norse]] as meaning "dwelling", Gammeltoft (2007) says the word is "of non-Gaelic origin" and that it reveals itself as one of a number of "foreign place-names having undergone adaptation in Old Norse".<ref name="G2487">Gammeltoft, Peder  "Scandinavian Naming-Systems in the Hebrides—A Way of Understanding how the Scandinavians were in Contact with Gaels and Picts?" in Ballin Smith ''et al'' (2007) p. 487</ref> In contrast, Clancy (2018) has argued that ''Ívist'' itself is an Old Norse [[calque]] on an earlier Gaelic name, ''Ibuid'' or ''Ibdaig'', which corresponds to [[Ptolemy]]’s ''Eboudai''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Clancy |first1=Thomas Owen |title=Hebridean connections: in Ibdone insula, Ibdaig, Eboudai, Uist |journal=The Journal of Scottish Name Studies |date=2018 |volume=12 |pages=27–40 |url=http://www.clanntuirc.co.uk/JSNS/V12/JSNS%2012%20Clancy.pdf |access-date=16 June 2020}}</ref>

Coates (2006) linked the names ''Uist'' and ''[[Ibiza]]'', an island in the Mediterranean, arguing for an origin in Semitic ''*bšm'' ("balsam") with the island-naming prefix ''*’y'', acknowledging the possibility of a name transfer and the name being subject to the influence of Norse ''ívist''.<ref name="coates">{{cite journal |last1=Coates |first1=Richard |title=A toponomastic contribution to the linguistic prehistory of the British Isles |date=2006 |pages=63–65 |url=https://www.snsbi.org.uk/Nomina_articles/Nomina_35_Coates.pdf |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Pobull Fhinn - geograph.org.uk - 1483251.jpg|thumb|The remains of Pobull Fhinn stone circle]]
[[File:Barpa Langass - geograph.org.uk - 1342027.jpg|thumb|left|The [[cairn]] at Langass]]
A number of standing stones from the [[Neolithic]] period are scattered throughout the island, including a [[stone circle]] at [[Pobull Fhinn]]. In addition to these, a large [[burial cairn]], in almost pristine condition, is located at [[Barpa Langass]]. The island remained inhabited for at least part of the [[Bronze Age]]; a burial from this period was found on the Udal peninsula (near [[Sollas]]). For the [[Iron Age]], in addition to the [[wheelhouse (archaeology)|wheelhouses]] typical of the Outer Hebrides, the remains of a [[broch]](fort), from the late Iron Age, can be found at [[Dun an Sticir]]; there was formerly another broch near [[Scolpaig]], but it was replaced by [[Scolpaig Tower]] in the 19th century. In the 3rd century, stone houses came into use which were shaped like [[Jelly Babies]]{{refn|group="note"|The first "Jelly Baby" house to be discovered was on the Udal peninsula.}}.

===Kingdom of the Isles===

Whoever the occupants of "Jelly Baby" houses were, they were followed in the 9th century by [[Viking]] settlers, who established the [[Kingdom of the Isles]] throughout the Hebrides. Initially, Vikings built [[turf]]-based buildings; however, on the shore, the environmental and chemical composition of [[machair]] causes these buildings to rapidly degrade and turn [[mauve]]{{refn|group="note"|The distinctive purple colouring of their remains forms a useful marker for archaeologists}}. Following Norwegian unification, the Kingdom of the Isles became a crown dependency of the Norwegian king; to the Norwegians it was ''Suðreyjar'' (meaning "southern isles"). [[Malcolm III of Scotland]] acknowledged in writing that Suðreyjar was not Scottish, and [[Edgar of Scotland|King Edgar]] [[quitclaim]]ed any residual doubts.

However, in the mid-12th century, [[Somerled]], a [[Norse-Gael]] of uncertain origin, launched a coup, which made Suðreyjar entirely independent. Following his death, Norwegian authority was nominally restored, but in practice, the kingdom was divided between Somerled's heirs ([[Clann Somhairle]]), and the dynasty that Somerled had deposed (the [[Crovan dynasty]]). The [[Clann Ruaidhrí|MacRory]], a branch of Somerled's heirs, ruled Uist, as well as [[Barra]], [[Eigg]], [[Rùm]], the [[Rough Bounds]], [[Isle of Bute|Bute]], [[Isle of Arran|Arran]], and northern [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]].<ref>''Kingship and Unity, Scotland 1000-1306'', G. W. S. Barrow, Edinburgh University Press, 1981</ref><ref>''Galloglas: Hebridean and West Highland Mercenary Warrior Kindreds in Medieval Ireland'', John Marsden, 2003</ref><ref>''Lismore: The Great Garden'', Robert Hay, 2009, Birlinn Ltd</ref><ref>''Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland'', 90 (1956–1957), A.A.M. Duncan, A.L Brown, pages 204–205</ref><ref>''The Kingdom of the Isles: Scotland's Western Seaboard'', R. A. McDonald, 1997, Tuckwell Press</ref>

In the 13th century, despite Edgar's quitclaim, Scottish forces attempted to conquer parts of Suðreyjar, culminating in the indecisive [[Battle of Largs]].

In 1266, the matter was settled by the [[Treaty of Perth]], which transferred the whole of Suðreyjar to Scotland, in exchange for a very large sum of money{{refn|group="note"|4000 marks}}. The treaty expressly preserved the status of the rulers of Suðreyjar; the MacRory lands, excepting Bute, Arran, and Jura, became the Lordship of [[Garmoran]], a quasi-independent crown dependency, rather than an intrinsic part of Scotland.

===Lordship of Garmoran===
{{main|Garmoran}}
[[File:Teampull na Trionaid 20090608 from north.jpg|thumb|The ruins of [[Teampull na Trionaid]], an [[Augustinians|Augustinian]] [[nunnery]] and "college of learning" at [[Carinish]] said, in the [[Red Book of Clanranald]], to have been founded by [[Bethóc, Prioress of Iona|Bethóc]], daughter of [[Somerled]], and rebuilt and enlarged by [[Amy of Garmoran]], after her divorce from [[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles]].<ref>Bill Lawson (2004), ''North Uist in History and Legend'', Birlinn. Pages 79–81.</ref>]]
At the turn of the century, [[William I of Scotland|William I]] had created the position of [[Sheriff of Inverness]], to be responsible for the Scottish highlands, which theoretically now extended to Garmoran.<ref>Dickinson W.C., ''The Sheriff Court Book of Fife'', Scottish History Society, Third Series, Vol. XII (Edinburgh 1928), pp. 357-360</ref><ref>''The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707'', K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007–2017), 15 July 1476</ref> In 1293, however, King [[John Balliol]] established the [[Sheriffdom of Skye]], which included the Outer Hebrides. Nevertheless, following his usurpation, the [[Skye]] sheriffdom ceased to be mentioned{{refn|group="note"|in surviving records, at least}}, and the Garmoran lordship (including Uist) was confirmed to [[Ruaidhrí Mac Ruaidhrí|the MacRory leader]]. In 1343, King [[David II of Scotland|David II]] issued a further charter for this to [[Raghnall Mac Ruaidhrí|the latter's son]].<ref>''Regesta Regum Scottorum VI'' ed. Bruce Webster (Edinburgh 1982) no. 73.</ref>

In 1346, just three years later, the sole surviving MacRory heir was [[Amy of Garmoran]]. The southern parts of the Kingdom of the Isles had become the [[Lordship of the Isles]], ruled by the [[Clan Donald|MacDonald]]s (another group of Somerled's descendants). Amy married the MacDonald leader, [[John of Islay, Lord of the Isles|John of Islay]], but a decade later he divorced her, and married the king's niece instead (in return for a substantial [[dowry]]). As part of the divorce, John deprived his eldest son, [[Ranald MacDonald (founder of Clanranald)|Ranald]], of the ability to inherit the Lordship of the Isles, in favour of a son by his new wife. As compensation, John granted Lordship of the Uists to Ranald's younger brother Godfrey, and made Ranald Lord of the remainder of Garmoran.

However, on Ranald's death, his sons were still children, and Godfrey took the opportunity to seize the Lordship of Garmoran. Furthermore, Godfrey had a younger brother, Murdoch, whose heirs (the [[Siol Murdoch]]) now claimed to own part of North Uist. This led to a great deal of violent conflict involving Godfrey's family (the [[Siol Gorrie]]) and those of his brothers. Surviving records do not describe this in detail, but traditional accounts report an incident where the Siol Gorrie dug away the embankment of a Loch, causing it to flood a nearby village in which the Siol Murdoch lived (and hence drown them); the accounts claim that the floodwater formed Loch Hosta.<ref>Townsend, Mike. (2015). ''Walking on Uist and Barra''. pp. 76 - 77.</ref>

In 1427, frustrated with the level of violence generally in the highlands, together with the insurrection caused by [[Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany|his own cousin]], King [[James I of Scotland|James I]] demanded that highland magnates should attend a meeting at [[Inverness]]. On arrival, many of the leaders were seized and imprisoned. Alexander MacGorrie, son of Godfrey, was considered to be one of the two most reprehensible, and after a quick [[show trial]], was immediately executed.<ref name="G65">{{Citation | author1=Gregory, Donald | title=History of the Western Highlands and Isles of Scotland, from A.D. 1493 to A.D. 1625, with a brief introductory sketch, from A.D. 80 to A.D. 1493 | publisher=Edinburgh, W. Tait | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DaoHAAAAQAAJ | access-date=11 May 2012 | year=1836 }}, p. 65</ref> As Alexander had by now inherited Godfrey's [[de facto]] position as Lord of Garmoran, and in view of Ranald's heirs being no less responsible for the violence, King James declared the Lordship forfeit.

===Early lairds===

====Hugh of Sleat and his sons====
[[File:Dunes to farmland - geograph.org.uk - 660262.jpg|thumb|left|View over western North Uist]]
Following the forfeiture, most of Garmoran (including North Uist) remained with the Scottish crown until 1469, when [[James III of Scotland|James III]] granted Lairdship of it to [[John of Islay, Earl of Ross|John of Ross]], the Lord of the Isles. In turn, John passed it to his own half-brother, [[Hugh of Sleat]]; the grant to Hugh was confirmed by the king – [[James IV of Scotland|James IV]] – in a 1493 charter, but Ranald's heirs ([[Clan Ranald]]) disputed the charter.

Hugh died a few years later, and in 1505 his eldest son, John, granted North Uist (and Sleat) to [[Ranald Bane]], the Captain of [[Clanranald]]; the reasons John had for this are not reported by surviving records. Nevertheless, Hugh's second son, Donald ''Gallach'', opposed Clan Ranald and established his own [[de facto]] control of North Uist and Sleat{{refn|group="note"|Historic records refer to this as holding the lands "by the sword"}}. In the following year (1506), Donald was stabbed to death by his own younger brother – [[Gilleasbuig Dubh|Black Archibald]]. The king authorised Ranald Bane to take the lands by force; according to traditional accounts, Ranald Bane's success led to Black Archibald resorting to piracy.<ref name="AAMacDonald">Angus & Archibald Macdonald. ''The Clan Donald'' volume 3: ''Inverness'', The Northern Counties Publishing Company Ltd, 1900.</ref>

[[File:'Whipped Cream' sea foam on North Uist - geograph.org.uk - 1350037.jpg|thumb|sea foam in North West North Uist]]
Three years later, however, Black Archibald returned. Traditional accounts relate that while he had been away, Angus Collach{{refn|group="note"|"Collach" refers to the fact that Angus' mother was from [[Coll]]}} (Archibald's other brother) attempted to rape a woman on North Uist; outraged by this, an armed party made up of men from the Siol Gorrie (to which the woman belonged) and Clan Ranald (to which her husband belonged) captured Angus and drowned him at sea.<ref name="AAMacDonald" /> According to these accounts, Black Archibald now took revenge, killing large numbers of Siol Gorrie.<ref name="AAMacDonald" /> Despite his behaviour, Black Archibald managed to ingratiate himself with James IV, by capturing and handing over two pirates – distant relations from [[Clan MacAlister]];<ref name="AAMacDonald" /> in 1511, the king rewarded Black Archibald by pardoning him for his crimes, and confirming his possession of Sleat and North Uist.<ref name="AAMacDonald" />

====The Hunchback====
[[File:Looking over North Uist - geograph.org.uk - 857223.jpg|thumb|left|View over northern North Uist]]
At some point before 1520, Black Archibald was murdered by Donald Gallach's son, Donald Gruamach{{refn|group="note"|''Graumach'' is [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] for "gloomy"}}. Consequently, in 1520, James IV issued a charter awarding lairdship of Sleat and North Uist to [[Alasdair Crotach MacLeod]]{{refn|group="note"|''Crotach'' is Gaelic for "hunchback"}}, the leader of the [[Sìol Tormoid]], who possessed the neighbouring lands, and had been loyal to James during [[Donald Dubh]]'s rebellion.

In 1539, Donald Gruamach's son – Donald Gorm{{refn|group="note"|''Gorm'' is Gaelic for "bue"; typically, ''Gorm'' was used as a nickname for people with blue/green eyes}} – invaded the Siol Tormoid lands on Skye, in an attempt to take back Sleat and North Uist{{refn|group="note"|Donald Gorm's ultimate aim was to re-establish the Lordship of the Isles, which by this point had been defunct for over 40 years. Donald Gorm was the senior male heir to the Lordship, except for [[Donald Dubh]], whose [[legitimacy (family law)|legitimacy]] was thought suspect}}. However, that same year, Donald Gorm was hit by an arrow while besieging [[Eilean Donan]] castle; in the process of removing it, he severed an artery, and died{{refn|group="note"|The arrow was barbed, unbeknownst to him. According to a traditional legend, this single arrow had been the only piece of ammunition present in the entire castle, which was otherwise undefended}}. In 1542, king [[James V of Scotland|James V]] issued a charter confirming Alastair Crotach as laird of Sleat and North Uist.

{{clear left}}

====Mary MacLeod====
[[File:Struan Cottage, Malacleit - geograph.org.uk - 1523227.jpg|thumb|Traditional cottage on Uist]]
After the deaths of Alastair Crotach and his son William in quick succession (1547, and 1553, respectively), Alastair's heir was his young granddaughter, Mary MacLeod. Donald Gormson, Donald Gorm's son<!--this is not a duplication-->, took the opportunity to seize Sleat and North Uist. The [[James Hamilton, Duke of Châtellerault#Regent of Scotland|Earl of Arran]], regent to [[Mary, Queen of Scots]], assigned nominal [[Tenant-in-chief#Heirs|feudal wardship]] of her to the [[Earl of Huntly]], who himself proposed to sell it to the [[Earl of Argyll]]. Following Arran's death in 1554, [[Mary of Guise]] was appointed regent for her daughter and issued Argyll and Huntly with a [[Commission of Justiciary#Commission of fire and sword|"commission of fire and sword"]] against Donald Gormson and Clan Ranald, instructing the earls to pursue their "utter extermination".

However, the forces of the Earl of Huntly had previously been defeated by Clan Ranald at the [[Battle of the Shirts]], which made them reluctant to enter Clan Ranald territory; the Earl abandoned the pursuit, but was promptly imprisoned by Mary of Guise for doing so. Three years later, the [[Lords of the Congregation]], the Earl of Argyll among them, emerged as an organised resistance to the Queen Regent. By 1562, the Earl of Huntly, now released, was in outright opposition to Queen Mary, and died opposing her at the [[Battle of Corrichel]]. In 1565 the tables turned when Donald Gormson took the queen's side during the [[Chaseabout Raid]] and was consequently back in royal favour.

On 4 March 1567{{refn|group="note"|1566 [[Julian Calendar|old-style]]}} Donald Gormson and the Earl of Argyll drew up a contract, according to which:
*Donald Gormson would enter a bond of [[manrent]] to the Earl of Argyll
*Donald Gormson would provide military aid to Mary MacLeod's uncle, on demand from the Earl of Argyll
*Mary MacLeod would quitclaim her rights to Sleat and North Uist in return for 500 marks, to be paid by Donald Gormson
*The Earl of Argyll would persuade Queen Mary to grant him a charter for those lands, and [[subinfeudation|subinfeudate]] them to Donald Gormson, in return for 1000 marks

====Old Blue-eyes====

[[File:Battle of Cairninis - geograph.org.uk - 1341853.jpg|thumb|left|The Battlefield at Carinish{{refn|thumb|the modern walkway bridges a militarily significant ditch}}]]
In 1594, as an opponent of [[The Reformation]], Donald Gorm Mor{{refn|group="note"|''Mor'' is Gaelic for "the elder"}} – Donald Gormson's grandson – sent troops to [[Gaelic Ireland]] to assist [[Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone|Aodh Mór Ó Néill]] and [[Red Hugh O'Donnell]] during the [[Nine Years' War (Ireland)|Rising of the Northern Clans]] against [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I of England]]. In 1596, concerned by this, and similar action by other [[Scottish clan chief]]s, King [[James VI of Scotland]] (Elizabeth's heir) demanded that highland leaders send well-armed men, as well as attending themselves, to meet him at [[Dumbarton]] on 1 August. Donald Gorm Mor obeyed the summons, and was consequently pardoned for previous offences, and granted a charter which acknowledged him as rightful heir of Hugh of Sleat, and confirmed him as laird of Sleat and North Uist.

In an attempt to solidify peaceful relations with the Siol Tormoid, Donald Gorm Mor married the daughter of the then Siol Tormoid leader, [[Roderick Macleod of Macleod|Rory Mor]]. Unfortunately, the marriage failed catastrophically, leading to the [[War of the One-Eyed Woman]]. A series of initial skirmishes led to the [[Battle of Carinish]] in North Uist, the last battle in Scotland that involved bows and arrows. It led to the [[Battle of Coire Na Creiche]], where Donald Gorm Mor won a more decisive victory, at which point the [[privy council]] intervened, and imposed a lasting peace. Donald was succeeded by his nephew, Donald Gorm Og{{refn|group="note"|''Og'' is Gaelic for "the younger"}}, whose loyalty to the king resulted in him being made the first [[Baron Macdonald#Macdonald baronets, of Sleat (1625)|Baronet of Sleat]]{{refn|group="note"|Despite the Baronetcy referring to Sleat, in Scotland, it was created in the [[Baronetage of Nova Scotia (1625–1706)|peerage of Nova Scotia]], rather than of Scotland, as an attempt to encourage colonial development of [[Nova Scotia]]}}.

===Post-union===

====The Papists Act====
[[File:View from Eaval - geograph.org.uk - 857218.jpg|thumb|View over southern North Uist]]
A century later, Sir Donald MacDonald, the 4th Baronet of Sleat, was living comfortably in [[Glasgow]]. In 1715, he supported [[Jacobite rising of 1715|the Jacobite rebellion]] and attacked the [[Earl of Sutherland]], but fell ill and fled to Skye. He was pursued and forced to flee to North Uist.<ref name="JMacDonald">''Clan Donald'', Donald J MacDonald, MacDonald Publishers (of Loanhead, Midlothian), 1978, p.426</ref> When the [[Papists Act 1716|Papists Act]] was passed the following year, requiring his attendance at Inverlochy, he argued that he was too ill to travel, but magistrates could visit him instead. Under the terms of the act, this made him a recusant,<ref name="JMacDonald" /> and his lairdships were accordingly forfeited, under the  terms of the [[Crown Lands (Forfeited Estates) Act 1715|Forfeited Estates Act]] of the previous year.<ref name="JMacDonald" />

The Commissioners of Forfeited Estates surveyed the land and found that it was in very poor condition; in North Uist, the local population had recently lost 745 cows, 573 horses, and 820 sheep to plague, and the sea had overflowed the land and destroyed many houses.<ref name="JMacDonald" /> On his succession in 1723, the 7th baronet{{refn|group="note"|The 4th baronet and his sonless son (the 5th baronet) died in quick succession (1718, and 1720, respectively), leaving the baronetcy to the 4th baronet's brother, James. The 6th baronet died in 1723 and was succeeded by his son, Alexander MacDonald.}} arranged for a middleman, Kenneth MacKenzie,{{refn|group="note"|Kenneth MacKenzie was an [[advocate]], based in Edinburgh}} to buy back Sleat and North Uist from the Commissioners{{refn|group="note"|for £21,000}} and pass them on to him.<ref name="JMacDonald" /> In 1727, the 7th baronet was granted a royal charter formally acknowledging his position as laird of the Sleat and North Uist.<ref name="JMacDonald" />

According to historian [[John Lorne Campbell]], Sir Alexander [[MacDonald of Sleat]] and his clan took no part in the [[Jacobite Uprising of 1745]], but they were included in the repression of Highland dress and culture that followed the [[Battle of Culloden]]. However, North Uist [[bard]] [[Iain Mac Fhearchair]] (John MacCodrum), the official poet to the chief, wrote the satirical poem "Òran an Aghaidh an Eididh Ghallda" ("A Song Against the Lowland Garb"), which "shows clearly where his own sympathies lay".<ref>Campbell (1971), ''Highland Songs of the Forty-Five'', pages 246, 248-253.</ref>

MacCodrum also composed poetry criticizing both the [[Scottish clan chief]]s and the [[Anglo-Scottish]] landlords of the [[Highlands and Islands]] for the often brutal [[Highland Clearances|mass evictions of the Scottish Gaels]] that followed the [[Battle of Culloden]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://virtualgael.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/highland-clearances-3/|title=Highland Clearances – 3|date=25 November 2013|access-date=28 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229101022/https://virtualgael.wordpress.com/2013/11/25/highland-clearances-3/|archive-date=29 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and on mundane topics such as old age and [[whiskey]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Mackenzie |first=John |author-link=John Mackenzie (1806–1848) |title=Sar-Obair nam Bard Gaelach: or the Beauties of Gaelic Poetry |date=1872 |pages=144}}</ref>

Among MacCodrum's most popular anti-landlord poems mocks Aonghus MacDhòmhnaill, the post-Culloden [[tacksman]] of [[Griminish]]. It is believed to date from between 1769 and 1773, when overwhelming numbers of Sir Alexander MacDonald's tenants on the isles of North Uist and Skye were reacting to his [[rackrenting]] and other harsh treatments by immigrating to the region surrounding the [[Cape Fear River]] in [[North Carolina]]. The song is known in the oral tradition of North Uist as ''Òran Fir Ghriminis'' ("A Song of the Tacksman of Griminish"). The song is equally popular among speakers of [[Canadian Gaelic]] in [[Nova Scotia]], where it is known under the differing title, ''Òran Aimereaga'' ("The Song of America").<ref>Edited by Michael Newton (2015), ''Seanchaidh na Coille: Memory-Keeper of the Forest'', [[Cape Breton University]] Press. Pages 44-52.</ref>

====Kelp====
[[File:Rockpool - geograph.org.uk - 608824.jpg|thumb|left|Kelp on the coast of North Uist]]
During the [[French Revolutionary Wars]], the scarcity of external supplies of minerals to the [[United Kingdom]] led to a boom in the [[kelp]] industry, which became North Uist's main source of income.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII">Lawson, Bill. [http://globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/gazbl/gazbl35.htm "From The Outer Hebrides to Cape Breton - Part II"]. ''[http://www.globalgenealogy.com/globalgazette/ The Global Gazette]''. 10 September 1999. Retrieved on 14 October 2007</ref> When the war ended, the availability of foreign mineral supplies led to an abrupt collapse in the demand for kelp-based products. The burning of kelp had also damaged the fertility of the land. As a result, the [[crofters]] of North Uist could no longer afford the rents.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/> Even though the landlords reduced the rents (e.g. in 1827 the rents were reduced by 20%) many crofters resorted to emigration.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/>

In 1826 the villages of Kyles Berneray, Baile Mhic Coinein, and Baile Mhic Phàil, at the north-east corner of North Uist, were abandoned by their inhabitants. Although some moved further south-east to Loch Portain, most of those affected moved to [[Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia|Cape Breton]], in [[Nova Scotia]]{{refn|group="note"|This is shown in the rental roll of 1827, which states that over fifty families had "Gone to America", meaning Cape Breton.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/>}}.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/> As the economic conditions worsened, and with reports of islanders having success overseas, the numbers of families emigrating from Scotland to [[North America]] greatly increased.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/> By 1838, the number of people having left North Uist was reported as 1,300; before the 1820s, the population of North Uist had been almost 5,000,<ref name="Hebridean-Princess">[http://www.hebridean.co.uk/_pdf/Hebridean-Princess-Scotland.pdf Hebridean Princess Scotland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930044732/http://www.hebridean.co.uk/_pdf/Hebridean-Princess-Scotland.pdf |date=2011-09-30 }} Retrieved on 17 October 2007</ref> but by 1841 it had fallen to 3,870.

====The Highland Clearances====
[[File:Ruined boathouse on Loch Langais - geograph.org.uk - 1438212.jpg|thumb|One of many abandoned buildings on Uist]]
The 7th baronet's heir, Godfrey MacDonald{{refn|group="note"|Godfrey William Wentworth Bosville-Macdonald}} (the 4th [[Baron Macdonald|Baron of Slate]]{{refn|group="note"|Slate is in [[County Antrim]], in [[Northern Ireland]], not to be confused with Sleat in Scotland}}) ran sheep on the abandoned crofts.<ref>''A History of the Highland Clearances: Agrarian Transformation and the Evictions 1746–1886'', Eric Richards, 1982, Taylor & Francis, p. 420</ref> The land was poor for farming but sufficient to sustain sheep, bringing the baron a better profit. As a result, he orchestrated one of the most notable mass [[eviction]]s of the [[Highland Clearances]].<ref>''The Scottish Pioneers of Upper Canada, 1784–1855'', Lucille Campey, 2005, National Heritage Books (Toronto), p. 122</ref> In 1849, an attempt to evict 603 crofters from [[Sollas]]{{refn|group="note"|A Hebridean settlement in [[Cape Breton County]], Nova Scotia was originally called Sollas, in connection with the evictees. It is now called Woodbine<ref name="Scotlandtrip2001">[http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/images/Scotlandtrip2001.pdf {{lang|gd|Turas Rannsachaidh dha 'n Albainn|nocat=y}}: Research Trip to Gaelic Scotland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207001142/http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/images/Scotlandtrip2001.pdf |date=2008-12-07 }} Retrieved on 16 October 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.johncardinal.com/ca/ns/c3.htm Places in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia] Retrieved on 16 October 2007</ref>}} caused rioting. Rocks were reportedly thrown at the police officers sent from Glasgow to quell the riot.<ref>[http://viscds.ca/sep02news.pdf Island Fling, September, 2002]. [http://viscds.ca Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dance Society]. Retrieved on 17 October 2007</ref><ref name="MacQuarrie-boston">MacQuarrie, Brian. "[http://graphics.boston.com/globe/magazine/2-25/featurestory1.shtml In search of Scottish roots]". ''[[Boston Globe]]'' Retrieved on 17 October 2007</ref> In the convictions that followed{{refn|group="note"|for the crime of rioting}}, the [[jury]] added the following written comments:
{{cquote|...the jury unanimously recommend the pannels to the utmost leniency and mercy of the Court, in consideration of the cruel, though it may be legal, proceedings adopted in ejecting the whole people of Solas from their houses and crops without the prospect of shelter, or a footing in their fatherland, or even the means of expatriating them to a foreign one...<ref>''Debating the Highland Clearances'', Eric Richards, 2007, Edinburgh University Press.p. 185–186.</ref>|}}

In 1855, Sir Godfrey decided to sell North Uist to Sir [[John Powlett Orde]].<ref name="Hebridean-Princess"/>

According to Bill Lawson, "The MacDonalds of Sleat possessed the island from 1469 until 1855, though the later proprietors took little interest in their estate except as a source of income. In 1855 the Lord MacDonald of the day sold the island to Sir John Powlett Orde, who had gained the reputation of being the worst type of landlord, utterly opposed to any attempt to improve the lot of his tenants, though it is only fair to point out that every one of the major evictions on the island was in fact carried out by the MacDonalds; they, being of a local source, are forgiven, and the blame is reserved for the incoming Sir John. He, in turn, sold parts of the island to his son Sir [[Arthur Campbell-Orde]], mainly in order to frustrate the terms of the [[Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886|Crofter's Acts]], which could have allowed [[crofting|crofters]] to apply for more land, but only on land with the same ownership. Sir Arthur eventually inherited the whole estate; he seems to have been a very different type of landlord, and was involved in the re-crofting of [[Sollas]] and other areas."<ref>Bill Lawson (2011), ''North Uist in History and Legend'', Birlinn. Pages 207-208.</ref>

The pre-clearance population of North Uist was about 5,000. Families particularly depleted during the clearances were the MacAulays, Morrisons, MacCodrums, MacCuishs, and MacDonalds.<ref name="globalgenealogy-LawsonII"/>

===Modern times===

In 1889, counties were formally created in Scotland, on shrieval boundaries, by [[Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889|a dedicated Local Government Act]]; North Uist, therefore, became part of the new [[Invernessshire|county of Inverness]]. Following late 20th century reforms, it became part of the Highland Region.

In 1944, the Campbell-Orde family sold North Uist to [[Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton]], who in 1960 sold it in turn to the [[Earl Granville|5th Earl Granville]],<ref name="Lawson 2011, page 208">Lawson (2011), page 208.</ref> and the current laird is [[Fergus Leveson-Gower, 6th Earl Granville]], who lives on the island.<ref name=DP>David Profumo, [https://www.countrylife.co.uk/luxury/art-and-antiques/in-focus-fergus-granville-the-driftwood-sculptor-inspired-by-north-uist-222134 In Focus: Fergus Granville, the driftwood sculptor inspired by North Uist], ''Country Life'', 5 February 2021, accessed 25 January 2023</ref> The Granville family administers the island through a [[trust fund]] called the North Uist Trust.<ref name="Hebridean-Princess"/>

Some of the [[machair]] townships, however, were taken over by the [[Board of Agriculture]] and its successors.<ref name="Lawson 2011, page 208"/>

The population of North Uist has dwindled to around 1,300.

== Geology ==
In common with the rest of the [[Western Isles]], North Uist is formed from the oldest rocks in Britain, the [[Lewisian gneiss]] which dates from the [[Archean|Archaean]] eon.  A zone running west from Lochmaddy to Baleshare has abundant [[metasedimentary rock|metasediments]] and [[metavolcanic rock|metavolcanics]]. The direction of inclination of layered textures or [[Foliation (geology)|foliation]] in this [[metamorphic rock]] is typically to the north but varies widely across the island. Pockets of [[metabasalt|metabasic rocks]] equivalent to the Scourie dyke suite are developed in certain areas, particularly in the north. Banded metabasic rocks and Archaean [[granite]]s are found in the northwest around Loch Phaibeil. A band of [[pseudotachylyte]] curves north the northwest through the centre of the island.<ref>{{cite web |title=Uist and Barra (South) |url=http://www.largeimages.bgs.ac.uk/iip/mapsportal.html?id=1002540 |website=BGS large map images |publisher=British Geological Survey |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>
The island is traversed by numerous [[normal fault]]s many of which run broadly NW-SE though ranging from E-W to NNW-SSE. [[Loch Eport]] is developed along one such fault. The Outer Hebrides Thrust Zone runs along the eastern coast of the island and brings distinctive gneisses which form the rough hilly terrain along that coast.  More recent geological deposits include [[machair|blown sand]] along the northern and western coasts and [[peat]] inland.<ref>{{cite web |title=Onshore Geoindex |url=https://mapapps2.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex/home.html |website=British Geological Survey |publisher=British Geological Survey |access-date=3 February 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==
North Uist is the tenth-largest Scottish island<ref>[[List of islands of Scotland]]</ref> and the thirteenth-largest island surrounding [[Great Britain]].<ref>[[List of European islands by area]]</ref> It has an area of {{convert|117|sqmi|km2|0|abbr=off}},<ref name=Smith/> slightly smaller than [[South Uist]]. North Uist is connected by [[causeway]]s to [[Benbecula]] via [[Grimsay]], to [[Berneray, North Uist|Berneray]], and to [[Baleshare]]. With the exception of the south east, the island is very flat, and covered with a patchwork of [[peat]] bogs, low hills and [[lochan]]s, with more than half the land being covered by water. Some of the lochs contain a mixture of fresh and tidal salt water, giving rise to some complex and unusual habitats. [[Loch Sgadabhagh]], about which it has been said "there is probably no other loch in Britain which approaches Loch Scadavay in irregularity and complexity of outline", is the largest loch by area on North Uist although Loch Obisary has about twice the volume of water.<ref name=Sgad>Murray and Pullar (1908) [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923100116/http://maps.nls.uk/bathymetric/text.cfm?cid=37405 "Lochs of North Uist"] Pages&nbsp;188–89, Volume II, Part II. National Library of Scotland. Retrieved 20 December 2009.</ref>  The northern part of the island is part of the [[South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA|South Lewis, Harris and North Uist]] [[National Scenic Area (Scotland)|National Scenic Area]], one of 40 in Scotland.<ref>[http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nsa/ "National Scenic Areas"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311014235/http://www.snh.gov.uk/protecting-scotlands-nature/protected-areas/national-designations/nsa/ |date=11 March 2017}}. SNH. Retrieved 30 March 2011.</ref>

===Settlements===
[[File:Oitir Mhor.jpg|thumb|left|Causeway from [[Benbecula]] (foreground) to North Uist]]
The main settlement on the island is [[Lochmaddy]], a [[port|fishing port]] and home to a [[museum]], an [[arts centre]] and a {{lang|la|[[camera obscura]]}}.  [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] ferries sail from the village to [[Uig, Snizort|Uig]] on Skye, as well as from the island of Berneray (which is connected to North Uist by road [[causeway]]), to [[Leverburgh]] in [[Harris, Outer Hebrides|Harris]]. Lochmaddy also has the [[Taigh Chearsabhagh]] — a museum and arts centre with a cafe, small shop and post office service. Nearby is the Uist Outdoor Centre.

The island's main villages are [[Sollas]], Hosta, [[Tigharry]], [[Hougharry]], [[Paible]], [[Grimsay]] and [[Cladach Kirkibost]]. Other settlements include [[Carinish|Clachan Carinish]], [[Knockquien]], [[Port nan Long]], [[Greinetobht]] and [[Scolpaig]], home to the nineteenth-century [[Scolpaig Tower]] [[folly]]. [[Loch Portain]] is a small hamlet on the east coast — some {{convert|9|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} from Lochmaddy, with sub areas of Cheesebay and Hoebeg.

According to the 2011 census North Uist had a population of 1,254.

==Places of interest==
North Uist has many prehistoric structures, including the [[Barpa Langass]] [[chambered cairn]], the [[Pobull Fhinn]] [[stone circle]], [[Dun an Sticir]], the [[Fir Bhreige]] [[standing stone]]s, [[Eilean Dòmhnuill]] (which may be the earliest [[crannog]] site in Scotland),<ref>{{cite book |last=Armit |first=Ian |year=1998 |title=Scotland's Hidden History |location=[[Stroud, Gloucestershire]] |publisher=Tempus |isbn= 978-0-7524-1400-3}}</ref> and the [[Baile Sear]] [[roundhouse (dwelling)|roundhouses]], which were exposed by storms in January 2005.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ross |first=John |url=http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=1079032007 |title=Race to study Iron Age roundhouses before they are lost to sea storms |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=11 July 2007 |access-date=4 December 2007}}</ref>

The Vikings arrived in the Hebrides in AD 800 and developed large settlements.

Newer sites of interest are the Uist sculpture trail with two art installations in Lochmaddy. Close by is the Hut of Shadows, a camera obscura. 

On the Northern and western side of the island are several white sandy [https://scotlandlessexplored.com/north-uist-beaches/ beaches] such as Clachan Sands.

The island is known for its bird life, including [[corn crake|corncrakes]], [[Arctic tern]]s, [[northern gannet|gannets]], [[corn bunting]]s and [[Manx shearwater]]s. The [[Royal Society for the Protection of Birds|RSPB]] has a nature reserve at [[Balranald Nature Reserve|Balranald]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/wisles.asp |publisher=[[Scottish Natural Heritage]] |title=Wildlife and habitats of Uist |access-date=6 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211204404/http://www.snh.org.uk/scottish/wisles/wisles.asp |archive-date=2007-12-11 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Population==
In the 18th century, the total population of the combined [[Uist]]s rose dramatically, before the population crash of the [[Highland Clearances]]. In 1755, the Uists' estimated combined population was 4,118; by 1794 it rose to 6,668; and in 1821 to 11,009.<ref name=Smith/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!pre 1820s<ref name="Hebridean-Princess"/>!!1841!!1881!!1891!!1931!!1961!!1971!!1981!!1991!!2001<ref name="occasional-paper-10-table1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/occasional-paper-10-table1.pdf |title=Number of residents and households in all inhabited islands |publisher=[[General Register Office for Scotland]] |access-date=17 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927093730/http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files1/stats/occasional-paper-10-table1.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}</ref>!!2011<ref name="NRS"/>
|-
|about 5,000 ||3,870||3,398||3,250||2,349||1,622||1,469||1,454||1,404||1,271||1,254
|}
<small>From Haswell-Smith (2004)<ref name="Smith"/> except as stated.</small>

==Gaelic==
According to the 2011 Census, there are 887 Gaelic speakers (61%) on North Uist.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/naidheachdan/24954480/ Census 2011 stats] BBC News. Retrieved 20 April 2014.</ref>

==Literature==
*''The False Men'' by Mhairead MacLeod, author. The novel is set in North Uist during the era of the [[Highland Clearances]] when all residents of the townships around Sollas were forcibly evicted resulting in the Battle of [[Sollas]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Munro|first1=Alistair|last2=(2 August 2017)|title=Traumatic story of the Hebridean Clearances retold|url=https://www.scotsman.com/regions/inverness-highlands-islands/traumatic-story-of-the-hebridean-clearances-retold-1-4520392|website=The Scotsman|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>
* [[Iain Mac Fhearchair]] (alias John MacCodrum) (1693-{{ndash}}1779)<ref>Lawson (2011), ''North Uist in History and Legend'', page 32.</ref> was a [[Scottish Gaelic]] poet who spent his life as the "family [[bard]] to Sir James MacDonald of Sleat".<ref>Campbell (1971), ''Highland Songs of the Forty-Five'', page 246.</ref> One of his most popular songs is "Smeòrach Chlann Dòmhnaill" ("The [[Mavis]] of [[Clan Donald]]"), in which the bard "praises the isle of his birth".<ref>Lawson (2011), pages 29-30.</ref> The song was recorded by fellow North Uist native [[Julie Fowlis]] on her 2014 album ''[[Gach sgeul – Every story]]''.
* The [[war poet]] [[Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna]] (1887–1967), a major figure in 20th-century [[Scottish Gaelic literature]], was born on North Uist and lived his life there. Due to his vivid descriptions of his combat experiences during the [[First World War]], he is often referred to as "The Voice of the Trenches".
* [[Pauline Prior-Pitt]], a British poet, lives on North Uist.
* [[Sollas]] beach on North Uist is featured in the novel ''The Chessmen'' by [[Peter May (writer)|Peter May]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/see-and-do/peter-may-trilogy-sollas-beach-p545001|title=Peter May Trilogy - Sollas Beach|publisher=Visit Outer Hebrides|access-date=19 December 2014}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
* [[Erskine Beveridge]], [[LL.D.]], [[Royal Society of Edinburgh|FRSE]] (1851–1920), a [[textile manufacturer]] and [[antiquary]] and sometime resident of [[Vallay]], completed important archaeological excavations in the [[Hebrides]].
* [[Julie Fowlis]] (born 1979), a singer and instrumentalist who sings primarily in [[Scottish Gaelic]], was born and raised on North Uist.
* [[Alasdair Morrison (politician)|Alasdair Morrison]] (born 1968), former [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] for the [[Western Isles]], lived on North Uist and was educated at Paible School.
* [[Flight Lieutenant]] [[John Morrison, 2nd Viscount Dunrossil]], [[Order of St Michael and St George|CMG]], [[Justice of the Peace|JP]] (1926–2000), diplomat and [[Governor of Bermuda]], lived at Clachan Sands.
* Brothers [[Rory Macdonald (musician)|Rory]] and [[Calum MacDonald (musician)|Calum MacDonald]], members of the Gaelic rock band [[Runrig]].
* [[Angus MacAskill]] (1825–1863), "true giant" and strong man from [[Berneray, North Uist|Berneray]], off North Uist.
* [[Donald Macdonald (minister)|Donald Macdonald]] (1825–1901), a founding minister of the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland]], was born at Langass on North Uist.
* Brothers [[Angus Matheson]] (1912–1962), inaugural [[Professor of Celtic (Glasgow)|Professor of Celtic]] at the [[University of Glasgow]], and [[William Matheson (Gaelic scholar)|William Matheson]] (1910–1995), a Scottish Gaelic scholar, academic, and ordained minister of the [[Church of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news|title=William Matheson|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12057471.William_Matheson/|access-date=2 December 2017|work=The Herald|date=2 December 1995}}</ref>
*[[Fergus Leveson-Gower, 6th Earl Granville]] (born 1959), laird,<ref name=DP/> lives at Callernish House, near [[Lochmaddy]]

==In popular culture==
The penultimate segment of "Lochdown", the 41st episode (3rd episode of 4th season) of the popular motoring television series [[The Grand Tour]], was filmed on a narrow strait close to Griminish, at the northwest corner of the island, with the presenters building a floating bridge to drive their cars across to the island of [[Vallay]] (unlike suggested in the episode, the last segment was filmed in [[Swindon]], not on [[Vallay]]).<ref>[https://globalfilmlocations.net/2021/07/30/the-grand-tour-lochdown-filming-locations/ The Grand Tour Lochdown Filming Locations] ''Global Film Locations''. Retrieved 2 October 2022.</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Scottish islands}}
* [[List of islands of Scotland]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group="note"}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
* Ballin Smith, Beverley; Taylor, Simon; and Williams, Gareth (2007) ''West over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-Borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300''. Leiden. Brill. {{ISBN|978-90-04-15893-1}}
* {{Gaelic Placenames}}

==External links==
* {{Wikivoyage inline|North Uist}}
* [http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/balranald/index.asp Balranald Nature Reserve]
* {{lang|gd|[http://www.taigh-chearsabhagh.org/ Taigh Chearsabhagh]}}
* [http://www.isle-of-north-uist.co.uk/ Explore North Uist]
* [http://www.ampaipear.org.uk Am Paipear Community Newspaper]
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Uist, North and South}}

{{Commons category|North Uist}}
{{Hebrides}}
{{NSAs in Scotland}}
{{Islands of Scotland}}
{{Portal bar|Scotland}}
{{coord|57|36|N|7|20|W|type:isle|display=title}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:North Uist| ]]
[[Category:Uist islands]]
[[Category:Islands of the Outer Hebrides]]
[[Category:Cleared places in the Outer Hebrides]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in Scotland]]
[[Category:Parishes in Western Isles]]