Stillwater · Limestone · Western Isles / South Uist

Hebrides Machair Lochs

Hebrides Machair Lochs terrain map
Terrain map

Chain of shallow machair lochs on South Uist's west coast — crystal-clear limestone water over white sand with wild brown trout that are surprisingly competitive given the isolation.

Fair · Trout
Bibio · 10-12
Fairlive now
Good drifting conditions on Hebrides Machair Lochs
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
53% confidence

This venue is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindN 10 km/hLight breeze
Today’s fly
Bibio
Bibio10-12
Fish it in the film
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Light breeze
N 10 km/h
N
N
from the north
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp
Air temp11°C
CloudClear
Pressure1022 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How to fish it · for trout
When
June to August
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Green Peter on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work Bibio on the bob and Green Peter on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Green PeterHatch
2
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
2
3
2
Daddy Long LegsHatch
2
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Trout fly box
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
66%
Cloud25%
Wind100%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 3
About this water

Chain of shallow machair lochs on South Uist's west coast — crystal-clear limestone water over white sand with wild brown trout that are surprisingly competitive given the isolation. Unique Hebridean ecosystem; insect life is exceptional and trout rise readily to dry fly. Some lochs hold sea trout. Weather-dependent in this exposed Atlantic location — wind and light are as important as the fishing itself. The solitude and otherworldliness of the machair in summer evening light make this as much a pilgrimage as a fishing trip.

  • Loch
  • Limestone
Water quality (WFD)
  • EcologyGood
  • ChemicalUnknown

SEPA (Scotland) · UKSC020811

Why this score
  • Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
  • Lake Olive is in its seasonal window, boosting the chance of targeted feeding.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout15 March → 6 October
Related guides
Booking & contacts