With less than 2,000 residents and a number of archeologically interesting sites, South Uist makes for a unique getaway for visitors to the Outer Hebrides. The main settlement here is Lochboisdale, formerly a major herring port. History buffs could spend days touring the interesting sites of the island, from the location of the discovery of the only prehistoric mummies to have been found in Great Britain to chambered tombs, roundhouses, medieval longhouses and even Viking settlements. Loch Druidibeg National Nature Reserve is an ideal daytrip from the main village for birders, hikers and wildlife spotters. The west coast offers sandy beaches backed by lofty mountain peaks rising to 2,000ft. A controversial missile testing range places parts of the northwest of the island out of bounds. The local islanders speak Gaelic, but staff members at South Uist hotels all speak English. Ferries connect Lochboisdale with Oban on mainland Scotland, while causeways link with neighbouring islands.

other spellings: southhotels, otel sooth, souht hotell, sotuh hote, suoth hotle, south uist osuth