The best campsites near Lochmaddy

There is not much to Lochmaddy beyond it being the northernmost of the two main ferry ports on the Uists, which form the southern part of the Outer Hebrides island chain along with Barra. In fact—besides a shop, ATM, hotel, and arts centre—there is nothing whatsoever, and no official campground. But look at the surroundings: moors, low mountains, snaking lochs, sea inlets, and gold sand beaches. In this remote landscape, finding a wild campsite is simple. Alternatively, head 7 miles northwest to the designated wild campground Clachan Sands, plonked between two phenomenal sandy beaches.

Top-rated campgrounds

There is not much to Lochmaddy beyond it being the northernmost of the two main ferry ports on the Uists, which form the southern part of the Outer Hebrides island chain along with Barra. In fact—besides a shop, ATM, hotel, and arts centre—there is nothing whatsoever, and no official campground. But look at the surroundings: moors, low mountains, snaking lochs, sea inlets, and gold sand beaches. In this remote landscape, finding a wild campsite is simple. Alternatively, head 7 miles northwest to the designated wild campground Clachan Sands, plonked between two phenomenal sandy beaches.

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Badrallach Campsite

91%

(39)

117km from Lochmaddy · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Ross and Cromarty, Highlands

Where the end of the road is the start of your adventure

2. Cosy Caravan in Roshven

119km from Lochmaddy · 1 unit · Glamping · Scotland

This self-contained trailer has been a well loved part our home since 2010. We’re happy to welcome friends and visitors to stay in it from time to time. A beautiful, wild and remote setting on the West Coast of Scotland. Peace and quiet! A useful stopover on the way to the Skye ferry. Cars/bikes and wellington boots are recommended. Eggs from our free range hens are available to buy. It is a drive to reach the small local shops/pubs. Walks to beaches and woods. We look forward to welcoming you. The vintage caravan is a cosy, quiet, self-contained space positioned close by our house. It is surrounded by honeysuckle and clematis. Through the windows you can glimpse mountains and trees. There’s a small double bedroom and another small bedroom that can be arranged either with a generous single or small twin beds that are ideal for young children. The living area has couches and a dining table. The kitchenette has all the basics, fridge, microwave and a gas cooker. The bathroom has a shower, washbasin and toilet. This self-catering accommodation has its own private lockable entrance. Guests have access to the caravan, garden, and driveway. Nearest shops/pubs are a 20-30min DRIVE away - it's a good idea to bring everything you need as the road is long and you may not feel like going out again! Please let me know in advance if you require the small twin beds made up. From the last week of May through to early September it is midge season in the Scottish Highlands, so be prepared to encounter these tiny biting flies - however, a light breeze and a stick of citronella incense is usually enough to disperse them! On still nights I strongly recommend that you keep the windows closed, otherwise you may find clouds of midges invade your space. There is a cooling fan to make warm evenings more comfortable. A haven for creatives! During April and October we host artists’ residencies specially for socially engaged practitioners who would benefit from some time to rest and reconnect with nature. When you book via Hipcamp, a small community fee is added to your daily booking charge and this goes to support these residencies by helping to pay for logs for the wood stove during the artists' visits.

3. Sanday Cabin

72km from Lochmaddy · 1 unit · Glamping · Sandy, Scotland

The Sanday Cabin is an open plan space with a lovely French style double bed (separate toilet / shower room) that sits at the top of a croft on the Isle of Sanday, right next door to Canna. The cabin has views out over the bay of Canna harbour to the Cuillins of Skye and across to the Isle of Rum. You can even see the famous Sanday Puffin Stacks from the cabin and take a stroll along the Puffin Trail. The cabin has its own decking area and a wooden fenced garden area - so you can enjoy looking at cows without them getting too close! Fully equipped kitchen, all linen towels provided and luggage transport provided.

Stories from the community

Lochside camping in Scotland - a big grass camping pitch with big views!

D

Duco

September 2025

Tent

2 nights at Badrallach Campsite

One of the nicest campsites I've ever been to. Extremely remote, but the road leading up is easy to do even with a city car. The hike to Scoraig lighthouse from the campsite is one I'll never forget. The bothy serving as common room is great, nice to get some shelter to prep a meal and relax.

F

Freya

August 2025

5 m Class B

With pets

1 night at Badrallach Campsite

Absolutely stunning campsite - beautiful walk down to the loch which was just so clear and peaceful. Lovely little plots - just right for our campervan. Toilets and showers were clean and functional. Only downside was the midges - I would have loved to stay outside for longer but we had to retreat to the van. Highly recommended though.

A grass pitch with Electric Hookup at Badrallach. Bring a campervan to this lochside loaction in Scotland, plug in and switch off!

G

Gavin

July 2025

Tent

2 nights at Badrallach Campsite

Great location and a great place for camping. We will be back again and for longer. Thank you for having us and sorry we had to cut the holiday short.

R

Ronan

June 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Badrallach Campsite

A lovely quiet laid back site with stunning views of the mountains with a short walk down to the loch which gives you fantastic views back across the loch in both directions. Facilities met all my demands, the showers were very good, a Bothy to hand as well if the weather or the midges get to bad. 🤪 Fire pits provided but bring your own wood. I fully recommend a stop here if you are in the area.

K

Kate

May 2025

4 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Badrallach Campsite

Perfect quiet little campsite, lovely and peaceful with some fantastic walks nearby. The host was extremely helpful and sorted our issues out straight away :).

L

Leanne

December 2024

Tent

With kids

1 night at Badrallach Campsite

Absolutely stunning place and fantastic hosts. We would love to go back.

Top camping destinations

Dog-friendly getaways

Cosy Caravan in Roshven

119km from Lochmaddy · 1 unit · Glamping · Scotland

This self-contained trailer has been a well loved part our home since 2010. We’re happy to welcome friends and visitors to stay in it from time to time. A beautiful, wild and remote setting on the West Coast of Scotland. Peace and quiet! A useful stopover on the way to the Skye ferry. Cars/bikes and wellington boots are recommended. Eggs from our free range hens are available to buy. It is a drive to reach the small local shops/pubs. Walks to beaches and woods. We look forward to welcoming you. The vintage caravan is a cosy, quiet, self-contained space positioned close by our house. It is surrounded by honeysuckle and clematis. Through the windows you can glimpse mountains and trees. There’s a small double bedroom and another small bedroom that can be arranged either with a generous single or small twin beds that are ideal for young children. The living area has couches and a dining table. The kitchenette has all the basics, fridge, microwave and a gas cooker. The bathroom has a shower, washbasin and toilet. This self-catering accommodation has its own private lockable entrance. Guests have access to the caravan, garden, and driveway. Nearest shops/pubs are a 20-30min DRIVE away - it's a good idea to bring everything you need as the road is long and you may not feel like going out again! Please let me know in advance if you require the small twin beds made up. From the last week of May through to early September it is midge season in the Scottish Highlands, so be prepared to encounter these tiny biting flies - however, a light breeze and a stick of citronella incense is usually enough to disperse them! On still nights I strongly recommend that you keep the windows closed, otherwise you may find clouds of midges invade your space. There is a cooling fan to make warm evenings more comfortable. A haven for creatives! During April and October we host artists’ residencies specially for socially engaged practitioners who would benefit from some time to rest and reconnect with nature. When you book via Hipcamp, a small community fee is added to your daily booking charge and this goes to support these residencies by helping to pay for logs for the wood stove during the artists' visits.

Badrallach Campsite

91%

(39)

117km from Lochmaddy · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Ross and Cromarty, Highlands

Where the end of the road is the start of your adventure

Sanday Cabin

72km from Lochmaddy · 1 unit · Glamping · Sandy, Scotland

The Sanday Cabin is an open plan space with a lovely French style double bed (separate toilet / shower room) that sits at the top of a croft on the Isle of Sanday, right next door to Canna. The cabin has views out over the bay of Canna harbour to the Cuillins of Skye and across to the Isle of Rum. You can even see the famous Sanday Puffin Stacks from the cabin and take a stroll along the Puffin Trail. The cabin has its own decking area and a wooden fenced garden area - so you can enjoy looking at cows without them getting too close! Fully equipped kitchen, all linen towels provided and luggage transport provided.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Campsites near Lochmaddy guide

Where to go

Berneray

Teensy Berneray is often left out of trips to the Uists, because it has no ferry connection to the mainland, but this makes its already stunning (and peaceful) sandy beaches even lovelier. Wild camping is the order of the day here, and toward the north of the island, no one is likely to ever see you. The island is connected to North Uist by a causeway.

North Uist

North Uist has probably the finest example anywhere in the world of the special ecosystem known as machair: grassy and often flower-bedecked dunes that roll behind pristine beaches. At Clachan Sands is a designated wild camping spot (water tap and waste bin only) between two sandy sweeps of beach, with machair all around.

Southern South Uist & Eriskay

This tussocky, sandy part of the archipelago is most famously associated with a shipwrecked cargo of whisky washing up on the shores (celebrated in book and movie Whisky Galore). It fulfills many people’s dreams of the quintessential Scottish island (wandering sheep, entrancing sandy beaches, and photogenic scattered crofts). The best camping is on the north side of the causeway at Kilbride Campsite; wild camping along the lonely coast of Eriskay is an option, too.

When to go

The main weather campers should be aware of are rain and the wind—especially because Lochmaddy and its surrounds have little tree cover. Wind and rain can be bad at any time of year, with Lochmaddy often inaccessible in winter months due to extreme weather. This makes April through October the best window for a visit, when there is a better chance of more camper-friendly weather.

Know before you go

Lochmaddy is linked by ferry to Uig on Skye (which has road connections to mainland Scotland via a bridge).
Lochmaddy is on the island of North Uist. North Uist is connected via causeway to islands Benbecula, South Uist, and Eriskay.
The other ferry port on this island chain is Lochboisdale, with ferries to Oban on mainland Scotland.
The middle island in the chain, Benbecula, has an airport with flights to Glasgow.
Shops are scarce on North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Eriskay. Supermarkets can be found in Lochmaddy and at Sollas, 9 miles northwest. Get basic camping gear prior to arrival.

Top regions near Lochmaddy

Highlands

Ben Nevis

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