Key Facts

• Location: East coast Lewis, Outer Hebrides
• Size: 653 ha
• Terrain: Mix of good paths and boggy areas
• Access: Road bridge
• Height gain: 632 metres
• Map: OS Explorer 455 South Harris
• Starting point: Main village (Grid ref. NG 214 967)

Scalpay walk

Start the journey by driving east from Tarbert to reach Scalpay, crossing the bridge that connects it to Harris. Continue to a junction at Ceann a Bhaigh’s head and turn left. Limited parking is available just beyond a cluster of three houses on the right. Walk back towards these houses, turning left through a metal gate, and follow a surfaced lane towards a further house. Turn right in front of this house, passing through another gate, and follow a track bending left to reach Loch an Duin. Bear left over a stile and footbridge, following the path around the loch’s north side.

Marker posts, though infrequent, guide the way when the path becomes indistinct or boggy. Although numbered in reverse, the route is easier in this direction. Upon reaching a fence, pass around its lower end and turn right to head uphill, reaching a gate. Continue right across high ground before descending to the far end of Loch an Duin, then climb uphill, passing above the south side of Loch Cuilceach.

The path climbs through boggy peat hags towards Beinn Scorabhaig, reaching a cairn beyond marker post 26. Enjoy views of Harris’s mountains, with Clisham dominating, and the north end of Skye visible across the Minch, including the Storr on the Trotternish Ridge. Aim for Eilean Glas lighthouse, keeping left to avoid lochans.

Before a sturdy stone wall, turn right along a path parallel to it, passing old peat cuttings to reach a gate in the wall. Go through the gate and straight ahead along an old stone path to reach the lighthouse on a rocky outcrop with its own jetty. The lighthouse, originally built by Thomas Smith, was replaced by Robert Stephenson in 1824.

Head southwest along the track briefly, then veer right at a marker post, reaching another gate in the wall, south of the previous one. Once through, ignore the path straight ahead and turn left to follow yellow waymarkers, staying near the coast, traversing undulating ground, and climbing in and out of gullies.

Descend to a grassy area, then head inland up a wide gully, climbing to reach a fence overlooking Bagh Ceann na Muice. Before the fence, bear right, climb uphill over rocky ground, and stay right on high ground above the first house in view.

Finally, the path reaches a road. Turn right, passing several houses, including a Harris tweed weaving shed. Continue on this quiet road to Scalpay’s main settlement, which has revived since the bridge’s construction, supporting a thriving shellfish industry and increased tourism. At the crossroads, turn right, passing the playground and school, then over the bridge at Ceann a Bhaigh’s head, returning to the start.

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Download Scalpay route gpx