Balranald Nature Reserve, North Uist
Balranald has won awards as one of the best places for seeing wildlife in the UK. It is also located beside a beautiful Hebridean beach.
The reserve is especially renowned for it grassland and sea edge birds and is one of the few places to hear the distinctive call of the Corncrake.
This beautiful Hebridean reserve has sandy beaches, rocky foreshore, marshes and sand dunes. An information centre explains the importance of traditional crofting agriculture for corncrakes and other wildlife. Many wading and farmland birds nest on the flower-rich machair and croft-land. Perhaps your best chance to hear and to even see corncrakes and corn buntings.
Opening times
Open at all times; visitor centre April to August 9 am to 6 pm. Information centre at Goular Cottage.
Entrance charges
Free, but donations to help us continue our work here are welcome.
Information for dog owners
Dogs must be kept on leads
Useful Websites
Region
Outer Hebrides-
An Taigh Fiodh North Uist sleeps 2
An Taigh Fiodh (the Wooden House) is a self-catering apartment on the island of Grimsay in the Outer Hebrides/Western Isles.
- Sleeps: 2
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Bayhead Isle of Harris Self Catering sleeps 8
Enjoy a peaceful holiday in this large, well equipped, 5 bedroomed bungalow on the beautiful Isle of Harris. Watch otters, see golden eagles, catch trout like some of our guests or take a short drive to Finsbay and watch the seals swimming or sleeping on the rocks
- Sleeps: 8
Other Cottages
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Grand View Cottage on North Uist - Sleeps 2
Fabulous location and lovely interior. For the couple looking to get away from it all - this is as far as you need to go. You and 2 dogs welcome. -
Lochside, North Uist - sleeps 2
On the shores of Loch Hosta with panoramic views, this turf-roofed lodge/cabin offers an idyllic holiday retreat. The incredible landscape surrounding the lodge is a paradise for outdoor and wildlife enthu... -
St. Kilda Cottage near Lochmaddy on North Uist - sleeps 6
Sweet little detached cottage in a rural setting near Lochmaddy on the remote west coast of North Uist. Sleeps six people in three bedrooms.