Grimsay

Settlement in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Grimsay

Eileanan Stafa
Eileanan Stafa Credit: Toby Speight

Grimsay is a small and picturesque village located in the Inverness-shire region of Scotland. Situated on the Isle of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides archipelago, Grimsay is characterized by its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere.

The village is surrounded by vast expanses of rolling green hills, pristine sandy beaches, and the crystal-clear waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Its remote location and untouched landscapes make it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful retreat.

Grimsay is known for its rich historical heritage, dating back to ancient times. The area is dotted with numerous archaeological sites, including burial cairns, standing stones, and Iron Age forts. These remnants of the past offer a glimpse into the island's intriguing history.

The local economy of Grimsay is predominantly based on traditional industries such as fishing and crofting. The village is home to a close-knit community of friendly and welcoming residents, who take pride in their cultural heritage and traditional way of life.

Visitors to Grimsay can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife spotting. The surrounding waters are perfect for fishing and sailing, while the nearby beaches provide opportunities for beachcombing and relaxation.

In terms of amenities, Grimsay offers a few small shops and local businesses, providing essential goods and services to both residents and tourists. Accommodation options are limited but include self-catering cottages and bed and breakfast establishments.

Overall, Grimsay is a hidden gem on the Isle of North Uist, offering a peaceful and idyllic setting for those seeking a remote getaway and a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Scottish countryside.

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Grimsay Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.405948/-7.2816528 or Grid Reference NF8247. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Eileanan Stafa
Eileanan Stafa
Bàgh nam Faoileann Very shallow tidal waters separate South Uist and Benbecula.
Bàgh nam Faoileann
Very shallow tidal waters separate South Uist and Benbecula.
New track on Benbecula Neither the OS maps nor Google Earth show this track  alongside Loch an Droma bho Dheas. It seems to have been constructed to gain access to a building which looked to be in the process of renovation.
New track on Benbecula
Neither the OS maps nor Google Earth show this track alongside Loch an Droma bho Dheas. It seems to have been constructed to gain access to a building which looked to be in the process of renovation.
Loch an Droma bho Deas This is the continuation of the track shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5018122">NF8447 : New track on Benbecula</a>  The chimneys of the house under restoration can just be seen on the skyline on the right at the end on the loch.
Loch an Droma bho Deas
This is the continuation of the track shown in NF8447 : New track on Benbecula The chimneys of the house under restoration can just be seen on the skyline on the right at the end on the loch.
Extreme weather precautions on Benbecula This belt and braces job speaks volumes about the anticipated wind conditions on Benbecula ....and, yes, the other side is just the same.  The loch is loch an Droma bho Deas.
Extreme weather precautions on Benbecula
This belt and braces job speaks volumes about the anticipated wind conditions on Benbecula ....and, yes, the other side is just the same. The loch is loch an Droma bho Deas.
Dying loch, Benbecula This shows the next stage of succession after that shown in <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5018170">NF8447 : Dying loch, Benbecula</a> The flag iris bases would certainly allow someone to walk across what had been open water. The time taken for these changes to occur can vary greatly. In some circumstances, the habitat can reach this stage in as little as twenty years.
Dying loch, Benbecula
This shows the next stage of succession after that shown in NF8447 : Dying loch, Benbecula The flag iris bases would certainly allow someone to walk across what had been open water. The time taken for these changes to occur can vary greatly. In some circumstances, the habitat can reach this stage in as little as twenty years.
Drainage burn, Loch Langabhat For such a large body of water, almost two and a half miles long, the exit burn is very small. When this photo was taken, it was no more than eighteen inches wide. The presence of an old sluice suggests that the levels had been managed in the past.
Drainage burn, Loch Langabhat
For such a large body of water, almost two and a half miles long, the exit burn is very small. When this photo was taken, it was no more than eighteen inches wide. The presence of an old sluice suggests that the levels had been managed in the past.
Loch Langabhat, Benbecula One of the many long narrow lochs in the area, Langabhat is thirty yards wide in places although it is over two miles long.
Loch Langabhat, Benbecula
One of the many long narrow lochs in the area, Langabhat is thirty yards wide in places although it is over two miles long.
Loch Langabhat, Benbecula The fence was clearly a very recent addition although there wasn't any sign of stock to keep in, or out.
Loch Langabhat, Benbecula
The fence was clearly a very recent addition although there wasn't any sign of stock to keep in, or out.
Causeway by Loch Chill Eireabhaigh Compare with this similar view in 2008 [<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/855856" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/855856">Link</a>].
Causeway by Loch Chill Eireabhaigh
Compare with this similar view in 2008 [Link].
Ruined croft house, 5-6 Hacklet (Hacleit), in 1995 Looking northeast across upper Loch Chearabhaigh (a sea loch) towards the scattered township of Kilerivagh.

According to local information from Mary Harman in 2018, the house is still there with the mid gable with chimney standing, but the roof is entirely gone. The windows are still clear, and the winnowing hole in the barn at the left hand side of the picture is still there. The telegraph pole behind the house, being redundant is no longer there.

The building probably dates from the 19th century and is Category B listed [<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18754" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB18754">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>]. It also appears on the Buildings at Risk Register [<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/search/keyword/hacklet/event_id/898243/building_name/5-6-hacklet" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/search/keyword/hacklet/event_id/898243/building_name/5-6-hacklet">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>].
Ruined croft house, 5-6 Hacklet (Hacleit), in 1995
Looking northeast across upper Loch Chearabhaigh (a sea loch) towards the scattered township of Kilerivagh. According to local information from Mary Harman in 2018, the house is still there with the mid gable with chimney standing, but the roof is entirely gone. The windows are still clear, and the winnowing hole in the barn at the left hand side of the picture is still there. The telegraph pole behind the house, being redundant is no longer there. The building probably dates from the 19th century and is Category B listed [LinkExternal link]. It also appears on the Buildings at Risk Register [LinkExternal link].
Shoreline at Oitir Bheag Half tide, with extensive areas of sand, mud and weed.
Shoreline at Oitir Bheag
Half tide, with extensive areas of sand, mud and weed.
Postbox at the junction A junction of minor roads at Haclait. Stuart Wilding's photo from 2008 shows a telephone kiosk next to the postbox, but that is no longer there - possibly blown away in a Hebridean gale?
Postbox at the junction
A junction of minor roads at Haclait. Stuart Wilding's photo from 2008 shows a telephone kiosk next to the postbox, but that is no longer there - possibly blown away in a Hebridean gale?
Cotton grass and tidal inlets Looking north from one of the tiny islets connected by causeways on the B891 towards Eilean Dubh Fo Thuath and the distant hill of Ruabhal.
Cotton grass and tidal inlets
Looking north from one of the tiny islets connected by causeways on the B891 towards Eilean Dubh Fo Thuath and the distant hill of Ruabhal.
The phone box is still standing Two contributors recorded this scene in 2007, but since then the roof of the old croft house has totally collapsed, but at least the telephone box is still standing, though probably rarely used except to shelter from horizontal rain.
The phone box is still standing
Two contributors recorded this scene in 2007, but since then the roof of the old croft house has totally collapsed, but at least the telephone box is still standing, though probably rarely used except to shelter from horizontal rain.
Old blackhouse at Aird Cumhang There are still many of these old turf roofed cottages on the Uists and Benbecula. Many are in a similar state to this one, but others, particularly those near roads and services have been restored as holiday cottages.
Old blackhouse at Aird Cumhang
There are still many of these old turf roofed cottages on the Uists and Benbecula. Many are in a similar state to this one, but others, particularly those near roads and services have been restored as holiday cottages.
Oban Uaine Small tidal inlet on the east side of Benbecula
Oban Uaine
Small tidal inlet on the east side of Benbecula
Oban a' Bhiora Tight little tidal inlet separating Benbecula from the smaller of the two Grimsay islands.
Oban a' Bhiora
Tight little tidal inlet separating Benbecula from the smaller of the two Grimsay islands.
Show me another place!

Grimsay is located at Grid Ref: NF8247 (Lat: 57.405948, Lng: -7.2816528)

Unitary Authority: Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

Also known as: Griomasaigh

What 3 Words

///universes.energy.campus. Near Balivanich, Na h-Eileanan Siar

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 57.405948,-7.2816528
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4031673/-7.2763369
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4088274/-7.2866168
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4083411/-7.2856552
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4078548/-7.284691
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.407462/-7.2836626
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4070174/-7.2825621
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4065699/-7.2814483
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4060174/-7.2806069
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4055829/-7.2797548
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4050692/-7.2789241
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4045555/-7.27804
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4046145/-7.2766591
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4041799/-7.2757322
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 57.4037396/-7.2747386
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4078217/-7.2856115
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4071091/-7.2840921
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4087194/-7.2874557
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4063481/-7.2824799
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4055118/-7.2809896
Passing Place
Lat/Long: 57.4040649/-7.2784298
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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