Albion Guide
Menu
Map

Areas

Protected landscapesCountry estatesNature reservesCountry parksCoastlineIslands

Routes

TrailsWaterways

Natural spots

Hills & peaksLakes & lochsWaterfallsBeaches & swimmingViewpointsCavesSSSIs

Historic places

Castles & strongholdsAbbeys & prioriesAncient stonesRoman sitesBattlefieldsChalk figuresNational Trust

Villages & landmarks

Villages & townsPubs & restaurantsChurchesHouses & gardensFarms, vineyards & producersWindmillsLighthousesOther sightsAttractionsFolliesOutdoor saunas

Near you

By townBy countyBy station
Saved
Photo of Balranald RSPB Nature Reserve, a nature reserve in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

© M J Richardson / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Balranald RSPB Nature Reserve

Local highlight
Open in full map →Full map →
OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles · data from OpenStreetMap · terrain Mapzen/AWS

If you want to hear a corncrake, Balranald on North Uist’s west coast is one of the best places left to try. The RSPB reserve protects flower-rich machair and a stretch of low rocky coast, with a marked walking trail and a small visitor centre off the A865. Late spring and early summer are the time to come, when the corncrakes are rasping in the iris beds and the waders are nesting.

More places to visit near Balranald RSPB Nature Reserve

Photo of Traigh Iar, a beach in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Traigh Iar

Beach

Wide machair-backed west-coast beach of North Uist beside the Balranald nature reserve.

2.4 km N · Na h-Eileanan Siar

Photo of South Lewis, Harris and North Uist, a National Scenic Area in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

South Lewis, Harris and North Uist

National Scenic Area near Hushinish

Island mountains, machair and Atlantic beaches across the Outer Hebrides, with the tallest hill in the island chain at its heart

4.6 km NE

Photo of Vallay, an island in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Vallay

Island

Tidal island reached across the North Uist sands, with the ruined Edwardian mansion of archaeologist Erskine Beveridge and an old chapel site

7.5 km NE · Na h-Eileanan Siar

Photo of the Monach Isles, an island in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Monach Isles

Island

Low machair islands west of North Uist, home to one of Britain's largest grey seal colonies each autumn

8.7 km SW · Na h-Eileanan Siar

Photo of Baleshare, an island in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Baleshare

Island near Carinish

Flat machair island off North Uist's west coast, reached by causeway, with a long sandy beach facing the Atlantic

9.2 km SE

Photo of Benbecula, an island in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Benbecula

Island near Balivanich

Flat island of lochans between the Uists, with west-coast machair beaches, the ruins of Borve Castle and the Uists' airport

15.4 km SE