Machair is a Gaelic word that describes an extensive low-lying fertile plain. Almost half of all of Scottish's Machair occurs in the Outer Hebrides and it is one of the rarest habitat types in Europe.

Machair is so important in terms of ecology and conservation, that it has now become a recognised scientific term. Areas of machair have been recognised with the 'SSSI' status, which stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest. This often entitles those resident here to claim financial assistance to pay for maintenance and preservation works.

Different authorities give the term 'Machair' different definitions: a type of sand dune pasture that is subject to local cultivation and has developed in wet and windy conditions; or the whole system, from the beach to where the sand encroaches onto peat further inland. Both are correct in context, yet however you label it, this fragile and precious habitat is not just an environmental treasure, it creates some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Highlands and Islands.

Staoinebrig Machair - North Uist visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Staoinebrig Machair' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Western Isles.

On the Google map, you can see how narrow strips of land here have been cultivated as pasture land for crops, such as this crop of the oilseed called 'Rapeseed'. This method of cultivating land is known as a 'rig' and several strips alongside each other, known as a 'runrig'. This is a traditional crofting method for arable farming utilised throughout the Scottish Highlands.