North Uist is an island and also area in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. North Uist is the tenth-largest Scottish island and also the thirteenth-largest island bordering Great Britain. It has an area of 117 square miles (303 km2), somewhat smaller than South Uist. North Uist is linked by causeways to Benbecula through Grimsay, to Berneray, and also to Baleshare. With the exception of the south east, the island is very level, and also covered with a patchwork of peat bogs, reduced hillsides and also lochans, with over half the land being covered by water. Several of the lochs include a blend of fresh as well as tidal salt water, triggering some complicated and uncommon habitats. Loch Sgadabhagh, regarding which it has actually been stated "there is possibly nothing else loch in Britain which comes close to Loch Scadavay in abnormality as well as intricacy of synopsis", is the biggest loch by area on North Uist although Loch Obisary has regarding two times the quantity of water. The north part of the island is part of the South Lewis, Harris and also North Uist National Scenic Location, among 40 in Scotland. The major settlement on the island is Lochmaddy, a fishing port and also home to a gallery, an arts centre and a camera obscura. Caledonian MacBrayne ferryboats sail from the village to Uig on Skye, as well as from the island of Berneray (which is attached to North Uist by road embankment), to Leverburgh in Harris. Lochmaddy also has Taigh Chearsabhagh-- a gallery and also arts centre with a cafe, little store and also post office solution. Close-by is the Uist Outdoor Centre. The island's major villages are Sollas, Hosta, Tigharry, Hougharry, Paible, Grimsay as well as Cladach Kirkibost. Other negotiations consist of Clachan, Carinish, Knockquien, Port nan Long, Greinetobht and Scolpaig, residence to the 19th century Scolpaig Tower recklessness. Loch Portain is a tiny community on the eastern coast-- some 9 miles (14 km) from Lochmaddy, with sub locations of Cheesebay and Hoebeg. According to the 2011 census North Uist had a population of 1,254.