BEAUTIFUL BENBECULA & UIST
Destinations: BENBECULA
Length of trip: 2 Days
Distilleries: NORTH UIST DISTILLERY, BENBECULA DISTILERY
North Uist Distillery visitor centre and Benbecula Distillery are conveniently located just 10 minutes apart. Spend two days exploring their whisky journeys and tasting their spirits, experiencing some Uist adventures, and learning the true story behind Whisky Galore!
BEAUTIFUL BENBECULA
Destinations: BENBECULA
Length of trip: 2 Days
Distilleries: NORTH UIST DISTILLERY, BENBECULA DISTILERY
North Uist Distillery visitor centre and Benbecula Distillery are conveniently located just 10 minutes apart. Spend two days exploring their whisky journeys and tasting their spirits, experiencing some Uist adventures, and learning the true story behind Whisky Galore!
DAY 1
Morning
Uist offers many opportunities for the adventure-bound visitor. From the northern tip of Berneray to the southern tip of Eriskay, it takes less than two hours to travel across all 6 islands, offering activities nearby any place you find yourself. Berneray offers two beaches and a seal viewing point, and on Grimsay you can take a boat ride to explore local wildlife. Discover Trinity Temple on North Uist, a mediaeval monastery and possibly Scotland’s first university. North Uist Distillery is just a stone’s throw from Culla Bay, known for being a surfer’s paradise, with pony trek rides nearby for the more adventurous. One can even find diving, adventure snorkeling and spearfishing activities. With so many opportunities to choose from, you’ll be certain to deserve a relaxing afternoon rest at North Uist Distillery.
Afternoon
A very warm welcome awaits you at Nunton Steadings, the beautifully historic home of North Uist Distillery. We built this distillery as a testament to our long-held dream: to bring back authentic island whisky production. Here you will enjoy a guided walk through our production hall, visitor centre and cask room, learning the rich history of our 1700s steadings building and the secrets of our new make spirit.
To share this exciting journey with you, we invite you to join our Hebridean Whisky Tour & Tasting. This is the only stop on the Hebridean Whisky Trail where your tasting includes three generous serves from our neighbouring distilleries, offering n expansive taste of the Hebrides!
After your experience, you can browse our well-stocked shop for lots of goodies, or settle in for a relaxed dram or cocktail at our cosy Island Life bar. Slàinte, and we look forward to sharing a piece of island life with you soon.
DAY 2
Morning
Start your day at the new multi-million pound Benbecula Distillery and Visitor Centre, a stunning tourist landmark nestled on the north of the island. Our story is deeply rooted in this land, and our whisky is a true expression of Hebridean tradition and innovation. We are reviving the use of Bere barley, grown on our family croft in soil enriched with seaweed, to create a Benbecula Single Malt that will be classically marine in style, with salty, sweetly peated, yet fruity and floral notes. We are also committed to sustainability by reviving the ancient island technique of adding foraged heather to our peat fires for a uniquely smooth, gentle smokiness.
Join us for a 45-minute guided tour to explore the art and science behind our production, snap a picture in our unique glass-walled lighthouse extension that houses our copper pot still, and taste our new make spirit alongside our MacMillan Spirits range.
Before or after your tour, be sure to stop by our café for a locally sourced meal and explore our visitor centre to learn about the maritime and crofting history of the Outer Hebrides. We look forward to welcoming you.
Afternoon
Experience croft life, or scale Rueval, the highest peak on Benbecula – on a clear day one can see St Kilda to west and Skye to the east. If you’re headed towards, Barra, make a point to explore Eriskay, where you can see the rare Eriskay Ponies, then pop into Am Politician for a bite to eat and the real stories behind Whisky Galore!
Accommodation and Dining:
The six islands collectively known as Uist, including North Uist and Benbecula, are interconnected by bridges. From the southern part of Eriskay to the northern tip of Berneray only takes a bit over an hour and a half to drive, so accommodation on any of the islands isn’t very far away.
Transportation:
There are several ferries and even an airport that will take you to Uist. Fly into Benbecula Airport direct from Glasgow or Stornoway. Inverness and Edinburgh airports offer flights to Stornoway, if those are more convenient.
CalMac Ferries offer many options to Uist. From the south, a ferry goes north from Barra to Eriskay, home of the rare Hebridean Eriskay Ponies. Lochboisdale on South Uist can be reached from Mallaig on the mainland. Lochmaddy on North Uist is served by Uig on Skye. From Harris, it’s a short ferry down to Berneray.
Helpful tips:
Visit Outer Hebrides offers many more activities to see and do on their website.
Opening hours vary at North Uist Distillery, so be sure to call ahead to confirm opening times.
Benbecula Distillery is open Monday – Friday. Please check the website for details.