A short walk visiting Neist Point, most westerly point on Skye. This spectacular headland is a good place for bird and whale-watchers.
Summary
Excellent concrete path with steps
Terrain
NG132478
Grid ref
2km/1.25 miles
Distance
Grade
End of minor road signed to Neist Point
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Nearest bus is to Glendale 5 km away (bus 56 from Portree).
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Pronunciation
and meaning
1. Park at the end of the road next to the store building. There are several spaces. The path begins through the gate, which is sometimes locked and must be climbed. Until recently there were signs here suggesting the path is private, but in fact the private area is that immediately around the lighthouse and cottages - the rest is the common grazings for Waterstein township. From the parking area there is a magnificent view of the cliffs around Moonen Bay.
2. The path slopes to the right to ease the descent to the headland below, and has a handrail. There is an old aerial ropeway above which was used to take supplies out to the lighthouse and cottages at the point. Continue along the now level path. Several scenes in Lars Von Trier's film Breaking the Waves were shot here.
3. The path passes to the left of An t-Aigeach (meaning the Stallion's Head), the dramatic upstanding crag half way out on the headland. The crag is the site of some of Skye's hardest rockclimbs. The top of the crag can be reached by detouring up to the right, but there is no good path. Behind you are great views of the impressive cliffs of Waterstein Head, the second highest on Skye.
4. The made-up path ends just before the lighthouse and cottages, where are on fenced private land. The complex was built in 1909 at a cost of £4,350 - the engineer being David A Stevenson of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse builders. Look out for breaching fins and blows in the sea – this is one of the best places for whales and dolphins on Skye. The return to the car park is by the same route.
5. For the classic view of the lighthouse beyond the cliffs, you can head on a boggy path northwest from the car park for about half a kilometre. This is one of the best places imaginable for watching the sunset.
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