UIST, SOUTH and NORTH, two of the Outer Hebrides, included in Inverness-shire. South Uist lies between N. Lat. 57. 7. and 57. 25., W. Long. 7. 12. and 7. 28. Its length from N. to S. is 21 miles, its greatest breadth 8½, and its area estimated at 127 square miles. North Uist, separated from it by the Island of Benbecula, lies between N. Lat. 57. 30. and 57. 43., W. Long. 7. 2. and 7. 32. It is of an irregular triangular form, nearly 17 miles in length from E. to W., and about 12 in breadth, with an area of 118 square miles. The rocks of both islands are principally gneiss, and both present nearly the same physical appearance, being intersected by numerous arms of the sea, and having their surface covered by a multitude of freshwater lakes only a few feet in depth. Some of the inlets form safe and commodious harbours, such as Lochs Boisdale, Eynort, and Skipport, in the southern, and Loch Maddy in the northern island. The coasts, especially on the west, are generally low; but here and there bold rocky headlands rise from the sea. Both islands are entirely destitute of trees; and the land may be said to consist of a series of peat bogs and sandy plains, rather than of soil.
Ukraine
Ulm. But in both the peat is gradually being ameliorated by the drifting of sand and comminuted shells from the shore of the Atlantic; and on the sides of the hills there is much good pasture. In South Uist there are three distinct groups of hills, occupying the whole of the eastern side; and their highest summit is Hecla, upwards of 2500 feet in height. West of this lies a level tract of peat, terminating at the extreme west in sand. Here, oats, and potatoes are raised here by the use of seaweed and other manure. North Uist also rises on its eastern side into a ridge of hills from 300 to 700 feet high, which gradually increase towards the south till they rise to a height of 2000 feet. West of this lies a flat tract, partly occupied with peat moss, and partly with pasture and arable land, the latter producing barley and potatoes. The inhabitants of North and South Uist support themselves by the rearing of cattle and sheep, and by fishing; but since the decline of the kelp trade, these sources proving quite inadequate, the population has greatly diminished by emigration. The islands each form a parish, including the smaller islands round about, that of Benbecula forming part of South Uist parish. Besides the Established churches, there is a Free Church charge in North Uist, and two Roman Catholic chapels in South Uist; as about half of the people belong to that body. There are also parochial and other schools. North Uist contains various remains of military works and other antiquities. Pop. of North Uist, 3302; of South Uist, 4006.