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Uig is a Village in the northwest area of
the Isle of Skye, 47 miles northwest of the
Skye
Bridge, 15 miles northwest of Portree.
The Village is popular for the Isle of Skye
Brewing Company, Uig Pottery, Ferries to Tarbert
on the Isle of Harris or North Uist,
Fairy Glen, and a short walk to the
Rha Waterfalls on the River Rha.
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Attractions
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The top images right are from the road up
from the south looking down on Uig Pier, Ferry
and of Uig Tower.
Uig Tower was built in 1860 for the area
landowner, Major William Fraser, known for
taking part in the Highland
Clearances, with people living there up to
the 1950s.
The Uig Hotel is on
the south side of Uig looking down Uig Bay,
built from 1831.
Uig Free Church is next to the Uig Hotel,
built in 1845?
Fairy Glen is one and a half miles up
Sheader Road that is single lane by the Uig
Hotel with a Pay and Display Car park at the
Glen, a top attraction on Skye with strange
land formations.
The Ferry Inn is in
the centre of Uig, an 1840s refurbished Inn
with Restaurant, Bar and Rooms.
Uig Church of Scotland is next to the Ferry
Inn, built around 1829?
The Rha Waterfalls are where the
road to Staffin starts in the centre of Uig, by
the Old Police House. Park by the Old Police
House, then walk 200 yards west along the
Staffin Road to the Rha Bridge. The Falls Path
starts at the Bridge, only about 200 yards from
there up to the Falls.
The Ferry Terminal
is on the west side of Uig for Ferries to
Tarbert on the Isle of Harris, or North Uist.
The crossing to Harris takes about 1 hour 40
mins with one or two Crossing each way per
day.
The Uig Ferry is named MV Hebrides,
that entered service in 2001 at 5,500 tons,
capable of carrying 90 cars and 612
passengers.
The Uig Ferry Terminal was being enlarged in
2023 so it can be used by two new Ferries named
MV Claymore,
and MV Lochmor in
2027.
These Ferries can carry 450 passengers and
100 cars.
The Isle of Skye Brewing
Company is by the Pier. The Brewery opened
in 1995 with a shop selling their Beer, Gin,
Vodka, and Gifts.
The Uig Restaurant & Bar overlooks the
Pier.
The Uig Memorial is by the Pier with seating
around, built for King Edward VII and Queen
Alexandra as they visited Uig on the Royal
Yacht, HMY Victoria and
Albert III, to open the newly extended Pier
in 1902.
The Uig Tearoom with Caravans is by the
Memorial.
Uig Pottery is
by the Pier with a wide range of Pottery, some
with Isle of Skye themes.
Just south of the Pier is the Uig Bay Campsite, with
Pitches for Tents, Tourers, and Caravans.
Uig History
1500s - the area was controlled by Clan
MacDonald who owned the Kilmuir Estate.
1812 - the Road between Uig and Portree was
completed, only for walking, horses, or small
one horse, two wheel, Mail Carriages.
Before this time, small sail boats were used
for most of the transport and trading around
these remote areas.
1829? - Uig Church of Scotland was built,
probably funded by the MacDonald Landowners,
said to be on the site of an earlier thatched
roof Chapel from 1724.
1831 - the Uig Hotel was built as a Coaching
Inn.
1840 - the Pier was built for small Mail
Steamers to run between Uig and Tarbert on
Harris, and Lochmaddy on North Uist.
1840s - the Ferry Inn was built.
1845? - the Uig Free Church was built as a
Church free from interference from
Landowners.
1855 - Major William Fraser bought the
Kilmuir Estate around Uig from the MacDonald's.
Fraser was involved in the Highland Clearances,
forcing Crofters off their land to make way for
large scale Sheep Farming.
1860 - Major William Fraser had the Uig
Tower built overlooking Uig, with the Tower
last used as a home in the 1950s.
1884 - Fraser attempted to evict a Family
during a Rent Strike, leading to a Rebellion in
the Area. The Government then sent Naval Ships
to Uig with Police and Marines to end the
Strike. The Family managed to remain in their
Home with the help of their Supporters.
1880s - small Mail / Passenger Steam Boats
were running between Portree and Uig, calling
at a number of small Ports on remote areas of
the Mainland and small Islands.
1902 - King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra
were traveling around Scotland on the Royal
Yacht, HMY Victoria and Albert III, with them
calling at Uig to open the newly extended
Pier.
A Memorial was built by the Pier in honour
of the Kings visit, with the Memorial now also
used for local men killed in the two World
Wars, 23 from World War I, 6 from World War
II.
1920s - Motorized Coaches began running
between Portree and Uig.
1963 - the new Pier and Terminal were built
for a Car Ferry named MV Hebrides,
with the Cars loaded by a Hoist, capable of
carrying 600 passengers and 50 cars.
1985 - the Roll On Roll Off Ferry named
MV Hebridean
Isles began operating out of Uig capable of
carrying 68 cars and 507 passengers.
1992 - Uig Pottery opened at Uig
Harbour.
1995 - the Isle of Skye Brewing Company
opened at Uig Harbour.
2001 - another Ferry using the name MV Hebrides
began operating out of Uig capable of carrying
90 cars and 612 passengers.
2027? - two new Ferries are
expected to enter service on this route capable
of carrying around 100 cars and 450 passengers,
named MV Claymore, and MV Lochmor.
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