BENBECULA, an island, in the parish of South-UisT,
county of Inverness; containing 2107 inhabitants.
It lies between the islands of North and South
Uist, from the latter of which it is separated by a narrowchannel,
nearly dry at low water. Benbecula is a low
island, about nine miles in length and the same in
breadth, with a sandy and unproductive soil, except on
its western side, which is rather fertile. The coast all
round is indented with bays, and in the interior are numerous
fresh-water lakes: a great quantity of sea-weed
is thrown on the shore, from which kelp is made. A
missionary here has a stipend of £60, with an allowance
of £20 more in lieu of a manse. There were formerly
some remains of a nunnery, tlie stone of which has been
used in the erection of a mansion.