Undiscovered Scotland

 

Daliburgh lies some three miles north-west of Lochboisdale and shares with it the role of being the main settlement in South Uist, being home to the school, the hospital, and a number of shops and other services.

The settlement is focussed on a crossroads. From here the A865 heads south-east towards Lochboisdale and north along the spine of South Uist. Meanwhile the B888 heads south towards Pollochar and the causeway to Eriskay, while a minor road completes the junction, heading west towards the broad band of dunes that back the shoreline here.

A little over three miles north of Daliburgh is one of South Uist's main attractions, the Kildonan Museum. This is well worth a visit on any tour of the island. A few hundred yards from it, and on the opposite side of the main road, is a cairn marking the site of Flora MacDonald's birthplace.

A slight frustration of this part of South Uist is that while you know that there is a superb beach running the length of the west coast, getting to it is something of a challenge. You best bet is to leave your car in one of the line of tiny settlements that lie around half a mile inland from the beach, and walk. Maps show a series of tracks closer to the line of the beach. Most, like the one leading west of Frobost, could only be tackled comfortably by a fairly serious 4x4.

At Askernish, a couple of miles north-west of Daliburgh, is a real surprise. Until fairly recently Askernish Golf Club was simply a 9 hole links course known only to a discerning few. However, the course was originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1891 and was an 18 hole course until part of the land was taken for use as a runway in 1936. In 2006 plans were hatched to restore the course to its original 18 holes, following as closely as possible the sort of design that Tom Morris would originally have laid out. Coupled with a replacement of facilities such as the clubhouse, this offers the possibility of producing a major visitor attraction on South Uist, and is a scheme that deserves to succeed. Non-members are welcome to play at Askernish.

Back in Daliburgh, you find a settlement that is functional rather than picturesque. There are nonetheless a number of interesting buildings, such as the new Community Hall, the South Uist Parish Church, St Peter's RC Church and the Borrodale Hotel.

Some of the best views of the area can be gained by heading west to the fringe of the sand dunes, where the cemetery lies at a height of 60ft. From here you can look across Loch Thallan back over Daliburgh to the mountains beyond: or you can look west at the sea of dunes that lie between you and the beach.