Iochdar also spelled Eochar, is a hamlet

Hamlet (place)

A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...

 and community

Community council

A community council is a public representative body in Great Britain.In England they may be statutory parish councils by another name, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, or they may be non-statutory bodies...

 on the west coast of the island of South Uist

South Uist

South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The...

, in the Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides

The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...

, Scotland

Scotland

Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...

. It is the largest of several crofting

Croft (land)

A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...

 settlements in the north-west of South Uist, and is located 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) west of the A865 road. Iochdar is part of the 93000 acres (37,635.8 ha) South Uist Estate, which was the subject of Scotland's largest community land buyout

Community ownership

Community owned assets or organisations are those that are owned and controlled through some representative mechanism that allows a community to influence their operation or use and to enjoy the benefits arising....

 in 2006, and is now run by Stòras Uibhist.

Iochdar School

Iochdar School, built in 1968, is a primary school (years 1–7) that caters to students from the hamlet as well as surrounding communities. The principal is Mary V MacInnes. The school has 75 pupils and five teachers. The school has won a number of awards, including the Homecoming Scotland Award at the Scottish Education Awards 2009.

Sgoil an Ìochdair agus a' Choimhearscnachd

Sgoil an Ìochdair agus a' Choimhearsnachd (Eochar School and Community) was formed in December 1998 in response to a lack of outdoor facilities at Iochdar School. It is a community group whose aim is to support recreation and sport in the catchment area of the school, which extends 14 miles (22.5 km) along the island chain, from Peninerine in South Uist, to Island Flodda in Benbecula.

The group's core aims are to upgrade outdoor facilities in Iochdar. After a community survey and a feasibility study, the group has completed a number of small projects, including a makeover of the playground and playing fields at the school. Sgoil an Iochdair agus a'Choimhearsnachd includes both individuals and community groups, and is run by a board of up to seven trustees, of which three represent community groups, three are elected from the local community, and one of which can be co-opted.

Iochdar Hall

Iochdar Hall ( is a community hall, used for dances and sales. Strachans is a sale that comes to Talla an Ìochdair every few weeks. The hall is also home to Mary's Cafe. There is an annual cattle show at the hall.

Iochdar Saints

Iochdar Saints are an amateur football club, who play in the Uist and Barra League. The club is managed by Stephen Macaulay. Although they have never won the league, Iochdar Saints have won the Westford Challenge, the MacPherson Memorial Shield and the Indoor Tournament Cup.

Attractions

The main attraction in iochdar is Hebridean jewellery, they sell a wide range of jewellery mainly being of celtic designs.
The jeweler is John Hart. The jewelers also includes a cafe. Other attractions are Lovats Shop & Carnan Stores which sell a wide range of homeware and outdoor facilities.