Things you didn't know about... the Isle of Benbecula

It is one of the most remote spots in Scotland, and receives fewer visitors than virtually all other inhabited places. The name is Gaelic and means "mountain of the fords".

North Uist and South Uist are connected to the Isle of Benbecula by causeways. In the past, residents of the different islands had to cross dangerous mudflats at low tide to pass between them.

The Isle of Benbecula's main town lies in the north-west of the island, and is the administrative hub for The Isle of Benbecula, North Uist and South Uist. It is the second biggest and most important town in the Western Isles after Stornaway on the Isle of Lewis. The hospital here serves the region and has 29 beds.

Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to the Isle of Benbecula in 1746 after defeat at the battle of Culloden. Flora MacDonald, a young local woman, helped him to escape to Skye, disguised as "Betty Burke", a maid. Flora was arrested and imprisoned, but later released under a general amnesty.

An Army base in Balivanich is one of the biggest employers on the island, and administers the Hebrides Missile Range on South Uist, built during the Cold War. An RAF radar station, RRH Benbecula, monitors the Northern Atlantic from North Uist. Much of the population of 1,200 is made up of military personnel.

The Isle of Benbecula's airport, in the north, was built during World War II for military use. It was upgraded in 2001 in preparation for the Eurofighter Typhoon test programme.

Well, at least it gave its name to independent record label Benbecula Records. Manager Steven O'Connell says they chose to name the company after the Isle of Benbecula because it represents the hidden side of Scotland. "Many people, even Scots, are unaware of its existence."

The west of the island, looking out across the Atlantic, is dotted with sandy coves. The east is wilder, with boggy moors and craggy hills.

Bonnie Prince Charlie is said to have taken Flora MacDonald on a walk around the south side of Rueval.

Winters are mild, thanks to the effect of the Gulf Stream.

This refers to a 6th-century monastery on the Isle of Benbecula. The ruins are still visible to the south of the town.