Questions, answered plainly

Salmon, sea trout and brown trout. Sea trout, averaging 3 to 3.5lb, are the main draw across fourteen recognised sea pools. Salmon enter the lochs from mid-June and are in good numbers from July to mid-October, and almost every freshwater loch on the Estate holds brown trout.

Salmon is open 25 February to 31 October, sea trout 15 March to 31 October, and brown trout 15 March to 30 September. In practice sea trout are in the sea pools from April, and salmon enter the lochs from mid-June. There is no Sunday fishing.

August to October, when numbers peak. The season opens on 15 March and sea trout are in the tidal sea pools from April; from June they start running into the lochs, and the run builds through late summer into autumn.

Yes, from July. Salmon enter the lochs from mid-June and are in good numbers from July to mid-October, while sea trout peak from August to October, so a trip from late July into October puts both within reach.

No. Scotland has no national rod licence for freshwater fishing, unlike England and Wales. You need permission from the owner of the water: on North Uist Estate that means a beat on the daily roster at Lochmaddy Hotel for salmon and sea trout, or a brown trout permit from the hotel or the Estate Office.

Partly. Every salmon must be returned, but sea trout have a bag limit of one fish per day, and any sea trout under 1½lb must go back. There is no bag limit on brown trout. See the bag limits.

Yes. Residents of the two partner houses get first pick of the daily roster and discounted rates, but anyone can call Lochmaddy Hotel on 01876 500331 between 8.30 and 9am to book a beat that's left, first come, first served.

Live availability for the Estate's sea pools and lochs is on FishPal. It's the quickest way to see what's open before you enquire or book.

Buy one at Lochmaddy Hotel until reception closes at 11am, or from the Estate Office in Lochmaddy after that, for a day, a week or any dates you choose. A permit covers all the Estate's brown trout lochs, but not the sea pools or the migratory lochs. Hill lochs fish throughout the season; the richer machair lochs are at their best from May to July.

In driven snipe shooting, beaters and dogs move birds over standing guns. In walked-up shooting, the guns walk the moor and machair themselves and flush birds as they go. North Uist is one of very few places in Europe offering both on the same ground.

On North Uist Estate, wildfowling is for geese, snipe, duck and woodcock across the moor and machair, with resident greylag geese the main goose quarry and both driven and walked-up shooting.

Snipe and wildfowling weeks run from 1 September to 15 November, and woodcock weeks from 16 November to 31 January.

Wildfowling is let as five-day parties, Monday to Friday, for five guns: snipe and wildfowling weeks from 1 September to 15 November, with a goose flight each morning and two evening duck flights, and woodcock weeks from 16 November to 31 January. The Estate Office quotes prices and availability directly; send an enquiry or call 01876 500329. See how wildfowling is let.

A season ahead if you want a particular week. Days are let Monday to Friday to a single party of five guns, so a specific week, especially in October, is worth booking early.

A valid shotgun certificate, or a Visitor Firearm Permit for overseas guests, and cover for third-party risks: the Estate provides personal liability insurance, but you insure your own guns and kit. Guns should be reasonably fit; tell the gamekeeper about any medical condition. Guns are kept in the hotel gun cabinet overnight, and the gamekeeper briefs every party on the safety rules at the start of the day. See safety on the shoot.

The Estate recommends sizes 7 to 8 for snipe, 6 to 8 for woodcock, 4 for duck and 1 to 3 for geese, at a normal maximum range of 30 metres; experienced guns may use BB for geese where suitable. Cartridges must be non-lead over wetlands. See safety on the shoot.

Yes, and guests are encouraged to. A working dog that knows its handler suits the moor and machair, though you don't need one to shoot.

Not to get here, but it makes the trip far easier. You can arrive as a foot passenger or fly into Benbecula, but the beats, hill and moor are spread across the island and buses are limited, so most guests bring a car on the ferry or hire one on Benbecula.

As soon as your sporting dates are confirmed, especially with a car between May and September, when vehicle spaces sell out weeks ahead. Foot passenger and bike places are much easier to find at short notice.

Island travel depends on the weather, and CalMac and Loganair will offer alternative sailings or flights. Call the Estate Office as soon as you know; we'll do what we can to make up the time, though days missed through travel disruption aren't refunded (see our terms). Travel insurance that covers disruption is worth having.

Yes, with a valid UK firearm or shotgun certificate, or a Visitor Firearm Permit for overseas guests, granted before you travel. Driving onto the ferry is simplest; if you fly, Loganair carries guns in the hold only and needs your request, with a copy of your certificate, at least 72 hours before check-in. The Estate's rifle and shotguns can also be hired by the day.

Yes. Get in touch before you travel and we'll help you plan the last leg, whether that's a hire car from Benbecula or a local taxi. The Uig ferry lands in Lochmaddy beside the Estate Office, and Benbecula Airport is around 30 minutes' drive.

The Granville family (the Leveson-Gowers) has owned the Estate since the 5th Earl and Countess Granville bought it in 1961, and still lives on the island. It is run day to day by the North Uist Estate Trust and an Estate Factor. Read the full history.

The Crofting Commission. North Uist is home to more than 400 tenant crofting households, many of them Gaelic-speaking, and crofters and prospective crofters handle all their tenancy matters directly through the Commission, not the Estate Office.