Fine coastal scenery on this short circular route taking in Tiumpan Lighthouse. The cliffs are popular with nesting seabirds.
Bog Factor
Minor road, waymarked coastal path, very boggy in places, one stile missing fence to be climbed.
Parking area on left 300m before Tiumpan Head Lighthouse, take care not to block gate.
None to start.
NB571374
The Eye peninsula - or Point as it is known locally - stretches north east from Stornoway, culminating at Tiumpan Head at its furthest extremity. Take the A866 from Stornoway and use the parking area on the left around 300m before the lighthouse (the owners are very sensitive about people using the parking area nearer the building). From here begin the walk by heading along to the end of the public road just short of the lighthouse. It was built in 1900 by David Stevenson at a cost of £9000. Although the lighthouse is still owned by the Northern Lighthouses Board, it was automated in 1985 and the cottages sold and are now privately owned.
A gravel path on the left leads up to a gate and then a hilltop viewing area which is the best place to watch out for dolphins and whales. After visiting this, return to the road and head back along it towards the parking area for a very short distance to the information board and benches on the left.
At the furthest, black bench, cross the fence where the stile has been removed and bear right to follow a faint path keeping back from the coast at first.
Follow the path directly ahead up to the top of a small headland. The rocky coast here is popular with seabirds, making an impressive spectacle during the nesting season. A rough path now descends to the right and soon crosses a burn to reach the rocky bay before Foitealar. This is a good place to sit and watch for marine mammals - seals, otters, porpoises and passing whales have all been seen from this stretch of coast.
The route now heads directly inland on a faint, waymarked, path to cross a stile well to the right of the last house. Cross the ditch (bridge missing but can be jumped) onto the road opposite Loch an t-Suimpain. Turn right to follow the minor road back to the start point.
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