This circular route explores much of the island of Scalpay (Scalpaidh in Gaelic), now joined to Harris by a bridge, and visits the impressive Eilean Glas lighthouse.
Bog Factor
Waymarked rough path, minor roads, very boggy with peat-hagged ground in places.
car park off minor road, Scalpay.
Bus from Tarbert to Scalpay.
NG220968
Scalpay is a short drive east from Tarbert and since the 1990s has been joined to Harris by a bridge. Once over the bridge, take the first turn left and follow the road until a crossroad. There, turn right and you will soon find a carpark that marks the beginning of the Heritage Walk. Start the walk by following the gravel path, and then the waymarkers over the hill to reach Loch an Dùin. At the loch, keep to the left and follow the marker posts and path around the north side.
There are infrequent marker posts and it is usually possible to spot the next one where the path on the ground is indistinct or boggy. Although the posts are numbered in reverse the route is slightly easier to follow in this direction. When a fence is reached pass around the lower end of it before turning right to head uphill to reach a gate. Now bear right across the high ground before descending to reach the far end of Loch an Duin. From here climb uphill following the posts, passing above the south side of Loch Cuilceach.
An area of boggy peat hags is climbed on route for Beinn Scorabhaig to reach the cairn. Looking back there are good views over the mountains of Harris with Clisham dominant on a clear day. Looking ahead, the north end of Skye is often visible across the Minch where it is often possible to make out the Storr on the Trotternish Ridge. Eilean Glas lighthouse is directly ahead and the path aims for it, eventually meeting a track - turn left along this.
The track swings right as it nears a sturdy stone wall, passing old peat cuttings to reach a gate in the wall. Go through the gate and go straight ahead towards the lighthouse which has a superb setting on a rocky outcrop and its own jetty. The original lighthouse was one of the first in Scotland, and was built by Thomas Smith before being replaced by Robert Stephenson in 1824. You can detour to the lighthouse, but the circular walk turns right along an old path before the track reaches the bay behind the lighthouse.
Continue to pass left of a loch and reach another gate in the wall, quite some distance to the south of the one passed through originally. Once through the wall keep following the waymarkers on the path. This section is quite rough going, staying near the coast picking its way over undulating ground and climbing in and out of gullies.
After descending to a flatter grassy area, the route heads inland up a wide gully which climbs to reach a fence overlooking the sea loch marked as Bagh Ceann na Muice on the map. Before the fence bear right to climb uphill to climb a stile. Continue up over the rocky ground, keeping well to the right on the high ground above the first house that comes into view.
The path soon reaches the road, turn right onto it passing a number of houses including a Harris tweed weaving shed. Ignore any side roads and continue on the quiet road to reach the main settlement on Scalpay, which is home to over 300 people and has seen a revival since the building of the bridge with a thriving shellfish industry as well as increased tourism. At the crossroads turn right to pass the playground and then the school. Once over the bridge at the head of Ceann a Bhaigh turn right to return to the start.
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