Loch an Fhaing Bhuidhe

3D Model

Loch an Fhaing Bhuidhe is to the north of the main road at Cladach Chirceboist (Claddach Kirkibost), North Uist. The place-name translates as ‘Loch of the Yellow Fank’. It appears as such on all OS maps, back to the first survey in 1878, yet the fank is not shown on any pre-WW2 maps at all

The second edition survey (1901) does show an enclosure on the adjacent headland to the west and there are some remaining foundation stones of this structure still visible.

It is likely this fank was built in 2 phases. The main fank is drystone construction likely to be mid 20th Century but the sheep dipping station is a later addition, probably 1970s, and is mortared stone with a concrete dipping tank. These were commonplace on Uist but ceased to be used in the late 1990s when chemical disposal regulations prohibited them from use so close to lochs.

A range pole is placed in the main fank, aligned with red to north, for scale.