A865
| A865 | ||||
| Location Map ( geo) | ||||
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| From: | Lochmaddy (Loch nam Madadh) (NF919679) | |||
| To: | Lochboisdale (Loch Baghasdail) (NF795192) | |||
| Distance: | 59.2 miles (95.3 km) | |||
| Meets: | Pier, A867, B893, A867, B892, B891, B892, B890, B888, Pier | |||
| Former Number(s): | B891, B893, B892, B888, B889 | |||
| Highway Authorities | ||||
| Traditional Counties | ||||
| Route outline (key) | ||||
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Route Overview
The A865 forms the main spine route through the Uist chain of islands for most of its route, running from Lochmaddy on North Uist southa cross Benbecula to Lochboisdale on South Uist. The exception is across North Uist, where it takes the long way round the island, leaving the A867 to short cut.
Route in Detail
North Uist: From the ferry port of Lochmaddy, the road tours three sides of this pretty island, eventually reaching the North Ford.
North Ford Causeway: This links North Uist to Benbecula via a series of causeways between rocks, reefs and islands, crossing the vast sands of the North Ford.
Benbecula: The smallest of the 3 main islands in the Uists, the A865 takes the direct route south across the island, bypassing the main settlements in the reverse of its route across North Uist!
South Ford Causeway: After crossing Benbecula, the A865 takes the much shorter causeway across the South Ford to South Uist.
South Uist: The largest of the Uist isles, the road runs almost due south from the causeway to Daliburgh, where it turns east and crosses the island to the ferry port of Lochboisdale.
Loch Bee Causeway: There is one final significant causeway to cross on South Uist, that across Loch Bee in the north of the island.
The Ferries
The Uists are served by a number of ferries, two connecting back to the Scottish mainland, and two linking to the rest of the Western Isles, although neither of these link directly with the A865.
Uig - North Uist Ferry: Connecting Lochmaddy on North Uist to Uig on Skye, and so the mainland. This is a 2 hour crossing, running 2 or 3 times a day.
Lochboisdale Ferry: Connecting Lochboisdale on South Uist to Oban on the mainland. This is a 5 hour crossing, sometimes linked with Barra and running most days throughout the year.
Sound of Harris Ferry: Crosses from Berneray, a small island off the north coast of North Uist, connected by a causeway, to Leverburgh on Harris. The crossing takes about an hour and runs 3 or 4 times a day.
Sound of Barra Ferry: Crosses from Eriskay, a small island off the south coast of South Uist, connected by a causeway, to Barra. The crossing also takes about an hour and runs 3 or 4 times a day.
