Loch nan Smalag and Loch nan Arm

This 8 km / 5 mile outing near Lochboisdale on South Uist has the feel of a quiet Hebridean moorland circuit rather than a heavily waymarked hillwalk. With around 200 metres / 656 feet of ascent, it sits well in the medium category: never especially high, but often exposed, sometimes wet underfoot, and best suited to hikers who are comfortable on rough ground and with simple route-finding using HiiKER. The route explores the loch-studded ground above Lochboisdale, linking Loch nan Smalag with Loch nan Arm beneath the slopes of Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, the hill that rises above the harbour. Loch nan Smalag lies just inland from Lochboisdale, while Loch nan Arm is part of the same upland lochan landscape to the north and west of the village. (mapcarta.com)

The nearest practical start point is the Lochboisdale area, the main settlement and ferry port on South Uist, Western Isles, postcode area HS8 5TH. If your route data only says “near” without a trailhead, the most useful real-world landmark is Lochboisdale Ferry Terminal, Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist, HS8 5TH, which is the clearest known access point for reaching the surrounding tracks and moorland. Lochboisdale is the island’s main service centre and a natural base for walks on the east side of South Uist. (calmac.co.uk)

Getting there by car is straightforward once you are on South Uist. Drivers usually arrive either by CalMac ferry into Lochboisdale from Mallaig or Oban, or by travelling through the Uists via the causeways from Benbecula and North Uist. CalMac identifies Lochboisdale as the South Uist port, with direct mainland connections from Mallaig and Oban depending on season and timetable. If you are already staying on the island, Lochboisdale is reached by the A865, and parking is generally easiest around the ferry terminal and village facilities before walking to the moorland access points. (calmac.co.uk)

Public transport is possible, but it requires more planning than on mainland routes. Lochboisdale is one of the better-connected places on South Uist because of the ferry terminal, and ferry passengers can arrive on foot from Mallaig or Oban. Bus services on South Uist are limited and should always be checked in advance, especially outside peak travel periods; if you are relying on public transport, the most practical plan is to travel into Lochboisdale first and then walk to the start from the village. (calmac.co.uk)

Terrain and route character

Expect a mixture of minor tracks, faint trods, open moor, peat, heather, and damp ground around the loch margins. Even though the total ascent is only about 200 metres / 656 feet, the walking can feel slower than the numbers suggest because the surface is often uneven. In dry weather the route is a pleasant half-day ramble; after rain, boggier sections can become tiring and waterproof footwear becomes much more important. This is not the kind of walk where the challenge comes from steep climbing alone; it comes from footing, exposure to wind, and the need to stay aware of direction across open ground. The nearby Stulaval walk description for South Uist specifically warns that some east-side ground can be exceptionally wet, which is a good general indicator of what hikers should expect in this landscape. (visitouterhebrides.co.uk)

From Lochboisdale, the ground rises gradually away from the harbour and houses into a quieter basin of small lochs and knolls. Loch nan Smalag is usually reached first, around 1.5 to 2.5 km / 1 to 1.5 miles from the village depending on the exact line taken. This opening section is a good warm-up, with broadening views back over Lochboisdale harbour and the indented east coast. Beinn Ruigh Choinnich, also known as Ben Kenneth, dominates the skyline above, and its presence helps orient the walk. (mapcarta.com)

Beyond Loch nan Smalag