Lochmaddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lochmaddy
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 Lochmaddy viewed from the south |
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 Lochmaddy
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| Language | Scottish Gaelic English |
| OS grid reference | NF915686 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ISLE OF NORTH UIST |
| Postcode district | HS6 |
| Dialling code | 01876 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Lochmaddy (which means "Loch of the Hounds" in Scottish Gaelic) is an important village in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It serves as the main center for the island of North Uist. The village and the loch (a sea inlet) get their name from some rocks in the bay called Na Madaidhean, which means "the wolves" or "the hounds."
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Exploring Lochmaddy's Location
Lochmaddy is located on a sea loch that shares its name. Because the coastline here is very rocky, Lochmaddy is the only large village on the east side of North Uist. Most other villages on the island are found along the west coast.
This village is also where two of the island's main roads, the A865 and the A867, begin or end. These roads connect Lochmaddy to other parts of North Uist, making it easy to travel around.
A Glimpse into Lochmaddy's Past
Lochmaddy has a long and interesting history. One of the first times it was mentioned in records was in 1616. A report from that year talked about "piracy and murder," saying that "Lochmaldie on the coast of Uist is a rendezvous for pirates."
This means the many hidden coves and inlets around the village were perfect secret spots. Ships carrying valuable goods, sometimes illegally, would hide here. They would then deliver these goods to powerful clan chiefs of the time. This kind of secret activity continued for a very long time.
Lochmaddy was also a very important place for fishing, especially for herring. During the time of King Charles I, it even had a special Royal Fishing Station. This shows how important the fishing industry was to the village's economy.
Lochmaddy's Modern Economy
Today, Lochmaddy's excellent natural harbour is still very important. It is now the main ferry port for North Uist. The ferry, called the MV Hebrides, regularly travels between Lochmaddy and the Isle of Skye.
Because of the busy ferry port, Lochmaddy has become a hub for shops and public services. It is the only village on North Uist that has a bank, a courthouse, a tourist information office, and a youth hostel. These services make Lochmaddy a vital center for both residents and visitors.
The local hospital in Lochmaddy closed in March 2001. A new, modern hospital, called Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh, opened in Balivanich, Benbecula, to serve the islands.
Ferry Connections
| Preceding station | Ferry | Following station | ||
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| Terminus | Caledonian MacBrayne South Uist Ferry |
Uig |
