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Uist Archaeology Month

Over the month Uist Community Archaeology Group host events open to both UCAG Members and visitors to Uist, to give an introduction to the huge range and number of archaeological sites and features to be found throughout the archipelago, many of them not even requiring a short walk from the car.

The walks are chosen to showcase areas with multiple sites within a 5km circular tour – and where possible to include sites only identified for the first time during the previous couple of years.

All guided Walks are FREE for Members, but booking is essential. A £5 temporary UCAG membership until the year end is required for new participants.

Additional charges apply for boat trips to cover charter costs.

Information on the walk difficulty grading can be found below.

For bookings and more information on each event, please email ucaginfo@gmail.com.

Saturday 1 August: Boat Trip to Pabay (Sound of Harris)
Special prices apply
Booking essential (Grade 2)

Sunday 2 August: Baile Sear Middens
More than a beach! (Grade 2)
14.00 – 16.00

Tuesday 4 August: Grimsay Wheelhouse + Loch Hornaraigh (Grade 3)
10.30 – 13.00

Saturday 8 August: East Geirnish Stroll
Crannog & Ruins (Grade 3)
13.00 – 16.00

Monday 10 August: Meall na Hoa, Grimsay
with Dun Ban (Grade 3)
10.30 – 13.00

Thursday 13 August: A hike around Loch an Fhaing Bhuidhe
Claddach Kirkibost (Grade 3)
10.00 – 1300

Saturday 15 August: Witch’s Grave and Leabhal features (Grade 3)
14.00 – 17.00

Sunday 16 August: Liniclate Beach,
Grade 2, Borve Bay Woodland (Grade 2)
14.00 – 16.00

Thursday 20 August: Prehistoric Benbecula
So much, some ‘new’ (Grade 3)
13.00 – 1600

Saturday 22 August: Cladach Chairinis
Thatched houses part two (Grade 2)
14.00 – 16.00

Sunday 23 August: Croanabhal East
Stones and Cairns (Grade 3)
10.00 – 13.00

Wednesday 26 August: Langass Barp & Circle
with some bonus extra features! (Grade 3)
13.00 – 16.00

Saturday 29 August: Caddach Vallay Loch & Shoreline
Grade 1: A slow, flatter, more accessible short walk
11.00 – 13.00

Sunday 30 August: Balranald Beach Middens and Ruins (Grade 2)
14.00 – 17.00

Please note that this event is not being coordinated by Dig It!. While Dig It! takes every opportunity to ensure that this information is accurate, we advise that you contact the event organiser before attending the event to avoid disappointment. As “39% of transport emissions come from cars” according to Net Zero Nation, Dig It! also encourages you to walk, wheel, cycle or use public transport to arrive at this event if possible.

Image: Hiking boots / shoes Photo by Tom Wheatley on Unsplash

Accessibility Information

Grading walks for UCAG field visits

Grade 1: an easy short walk (1-3km.) along roads, paths, tracks or beaches. There will be no steep slopes and no more than 50-100 feet of ‘climb’ along the route. Even such an easy route may involve some wet, marshy ground and maybe streams to cross.

Grade 2: A very similar walk, but perhaps longer, up to 5km, and some parts of the walk will be across unmarked ground with variable underfoot conditions. Often the start finish point will be out of sight on the walk.

Grade 3: like a Grade 2, but more vertical components, perhaps encountering total of 500 feet of climbing along the trail and more challenging underfoot conditions which, at times, may traverse across steeper gradients.

Grade 4: Usually this will be an ‘all day’ trip. It is likely to be longer (maybe up to 8-10km) and involve more gradients perhaps getting over 1000 feet of total climb along the route but unlikely to involve summits of hills.

Grade 5: These routes will offer the most variation of terrain and are likely to incorporate one or more ‘summits’ along the way. They will always be an ‘all day’ planned trip and will be weather dependant. For much of the route, there may be no more than game trails with some deep
vegetation which can be challenging. We will also give indications for footwear and walking poles.

Often wellies will be best for Uist ground conditions, best with a good traction sole for grip in slippery terrain. Generally, the neoprene type offer not only well-ridged soles, but better ankle support too.

For further accessibility information, please contact ucaginfo@gmail.com.