North Uist is an island and also area in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. North Uist is the tenth-largest Scottish island and also the thirteenth-largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has a location of 117 square miles (303 km2), somewhat smaller sized than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula using Grimsay, to Berneray, and to Baleshare. With the exception of the south east, the island is really level, and also covered with a jumble of peat bogs, reduced hills as well as lochans, with more than half the land being covered by water. Some of the lochs include a mix of fresh and also tidal seawater, generating some facility and also uncommon environments. Loch Sgadabhagh, about which it has been claimed "there is possibly nothing else loch in Britain which approaches Loch Scadavay in abnormality as well as intricacy of synopsis", is the biggest loch by area on North Uist although Loch Obisary has concerning twice the volume of water. The north part of the island belongs to the South Lewis, Harris and also North Uist National Scenic Area, among 40 in Scotland. The major settlement on the island is Lochmaddy, a fishing port and house to a gallery, an arts centre and a camera obscura. Caledonian MacBrayne ferryboats sail from the town to Uig on Skye, along with from the island of Berneray (which is attached to North Uist by road causeway), to Leverburgh in Harris. Lochmaddy additionally has Taigh Chearsabhagh-- a gallery and also arts centre with a coffee shop, small shop and post office service. Close-by is the Uist Outdoor Centre. The island's primary towns are Sollas, Hosta, Tigharry, Hougharry, Paible, Grimsay and also Cladach Kirkibost. Various other negotiations include Clachan, Carinish, Knockquien, Port nan Long, Greinetobht and Scolpaig, residence to the nineteenth century Scolpaig Tower recklessness. Loch Portain is a little hamlet on the eastern shore-- some 9 miles (14 km) from Lochmaddy, with sub locations of Cheesebay and Hoebeg. According to the 2011 census North Uist had a population of 1,254.