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Balranald

23 April 2023 · Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Balranald Campsite on North Uist was my base for a couple of weeks in April / May. The site itself is not especially picturesque but it’s a great base for some fabulous excursions.

I was based at Balranald Campsite for 2 weeks in April. From here I headed for odd nights wild parking at Clachan Sands and Baleshare. Balranald is a family business on the west coast of North Uist in the heart of the RSPB’s Nature Reserve of the same name.

The Dunes Cabin is a real bonus with this site (see menu below) and it’s a real struggle to not eat lunch there each day. The scallop and bacon roll is just delicious!

On the reserve itself, there is a waymarked trail which takes you around ~3 miles of coastline, covering machair, dune grassland, sandy beaches and rocky shores.

One morning I joined the RSPB warden for a guided walk and learnt that Balranald is a key site in the UK corncrake recovery programme. It was interesting to hear how the RSPB are encouraging crofters to grow late-cut hay crops and provide early cover on suitable breeding areas. The warden talked a lot about the wild flower display in June and July and put the thought in my mind to brave the midges and return to see it.

I’ll be back at Balranald for a few weeks in July.