Lochboisdale

Lochboisdale

The main road through Lochboisdale
Lochboisdale
Lochboisdale shown within the Outer Hebrides
Language Scottish Gaelic
English
OS grid reference NF790195
Civil parish
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town ISLE OF SOUTH UIST
Postcode district HS8
Dialling code 01878
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Lochboisdale (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail) is the main village and port on the island of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Lochboisdale is within the parish of South Uist, and is situated on the shore of Loch Baghasdail at the southern end of the A865.[1]

History

The town profited from the herring boom in the 19th century, and a steamer pier was built in 1880. In 1905, a mission church was built, and by 1953, steamers were connecting Lochboisdale with Oban, Castlebay, Mallaig and Lochmaddy.

Economy

Lochboisdale is the ferry terminal for the island of South Uist, with regular vehicle ferry services to Oban and to Castlebay (Barra). The pier area has undergone a transformation as the old shop and surrounding buildings were either renovated or removed to provide new housing and commercial units for rent.

Lochboisdale Hotel, built in the late 19th century as a fishing hotel, is adjacent to the ferry terminal.

The whole village is within walking distance of the pier, and has a post office and a police station. There is a Free Church of Scotland church in the village, although most of the inhabitants are Roman Catholic. The post office has a coffee shop/internet café. A tourist information centre and a bank are located opposite the ferry terminal. By the pier is an all-purpose store called Fáilte (meaning welcome in the local Gaelic language).

Lochboisdale Development Limited have recently opened a new harbour on the small island of Gaasay (spelt variously as Gasay and Gasaigh). This is about 1 km from the village and is reached by two new causeways. The new harbour provides many facilities. Mooring licences are available for day visiting, monthly and seasonal berths, with inclusive use of the quayside facilities.

References

  1. ↑ "A865". Sabre. Retrieved 22 December 2014.


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