South Uist

The waters around South Uist lie among the Outer Hebrides, off Scotland's Atlantic coast. The island was part of the Norse-Gaelic world of the Kingdom of the Isles; the Treaty of Perth in 1266 recognised Scottish authority over the Hebrides. A parish church was built at Howmore, and Uist formed part of the lordship of Garmoran.

Disputes among local lords and intervention by the Scottish crown changed control of the island. In 1427 the lordship of Uist was declared forfeited; later grants divided South Uist among local families. Calvay Castle guarded Loch Boisdale, while Clan Ranald held other parts of the island. Such sea lochs and passages linked the island's communities with the wider Hebrides.