Eriskay ponies were bred on the island for their hardiness, strength and thick coats and manes, ideal for working in the harsh hebrides

Eriskay (from the Old Norse for ‘Eric’s Isle’) is a small island at the southern tip of South Uist, connected to its northerly neighbour by causeway. Although small, it is a beautiful little island with a welcoming community, a sandy beach which none other than Bonnie Prince Charlie once landed on, and a fascinating story of a shipwreck made famous by ‘Whisky Galore!’.

The causeway to Eriskay was built only in 2001 and so although accessible by road, Eriskay has an island identity distinct from South Uist to its north. Shortly after you arrive on the island you come across the community hall and a small but incredibly well-stocked shop – you won’t be lacking supplies while you’re here! The shop sells locally-made arts, crafts and jewellery as well as food.

A little further on you come across Prince Charlie’s beach, a gorgeous, long sandy beach on which ‘Bonnie’ Prince Charlie first set foot in Scotland in 1745. The Gaelic name for the beach, Coilleag a’Phrionnsa, means ‘the Prince’s cockleshell strand’. A flag flies above the beach today in commemoration of the Prince’s landing. The beach is an excellent place to find pretty, pink-white cowrie shells, so keep your eyes peeled!

In common with other islands in the south of the Outer Hebridean chain, the Catholic heritage of the community is evident in shrines found by the side of the road. Keep an eye out for one opposite the shop.

Eriskay is known to many as the site of ‘Whisky Galore!’. In 1941, the SS Politician ran aground carrying 28,000 cases of malt whisky. The wreck was looted by the islanders, who hid the whisky all over Eriskay and South Uist – thought to amount to 24,00 bottles! It’s said that the occasional long-forgotten bottle turns up buried in the peat or the dunes.

From Eriskay you can catch a ferry to Barra and Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited islands of the Outer Hebrides. These are packed with sandy beaches – including one that doubles up as an airport!

Eriskay is small but pretty, and with a tight-knit community feel and a warm welcome in the local shop, you’ll feel right at home here. Take hours to relax on the beach, collect a few cowries and pick up an ice cream in the local shop!