Uig, Skye

Uig Gaelic: Ùige
Inverness-shire
Uig Harbour and Pier
Location
Island:	Isle of Skye
Location:	57°34’48"N, 6°21’36"W
Data
Population:	200
Post town:	Portree
Postcode:	IV51
Dialling code:	01470
Local Government
Council:	Highland
Parliamentary constituency:	Ross, Skye and Lochaber

The village of Uig lies at the head of the sheltered inlet of Uig Bay on the west coast of the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, Inverness-shire. Uig is situated partly on the raised beach around the head of the bay and partly on the steep slopes behind it. Two watercourses enter the bay at Uig; the River Rha from the north and the River Conon which drains Glen Uig to the east. The lower courses of both of these small rivers are characterised by waterfalls.

From its sheltered port, ferries run to Tarbert on Harris and Lochmaddy on North Uist providing links with the Outer Hebrides. Uig Tower is a prominent local landmark associated with the Highland Clearances.

Uig is served by the A87 road from Portree and Kyle of Lochalsh to the south and the A855 road which runs northwards around the end of the Trotternish peninsula before also turning south to Portree. As of August, 2006, Uig is accessible via intercity buses on Skye, and Scottish Citylink buses, which travel as far south as Fort William and Glasgow.

The population is estimated to be between 200–300 inhabitants

Name

The name is thought to be derived from Old Norse vík, which means bay or inlet. It was thus originally the same placename as Wick, Caithness.

References

("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Skye Uig, Skye)

Uig harbour and village

Map of Skye showing Uig

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