Isle of Lewis

[PeterPWales]

Hi
Has anyone got suggestions for good walks on the Isle of Lewis for wildlife spotting?We are staying next week.

[BigTed]

Probably best on the coasts the moors on Lewis are a bit barren. If you are up in thr north there is a nice coastal walk above sea cliffs going south from Skigersta. When I was there , years age, I saw Peregrine Falcons flying over the cliffs as well as the usual seabirds.

If you can arrange transport both ends then the walk from Skigersta south to Tolsta is good.

[Caberfeidh]

Hi
Has anyone got suggestions for good walks on the Isle of Lewis for wildlife spotting?We are staying next week.

From the Port of Ness at the north end you can walk along the cliff tops and get great views out to sea, with squadrons of gannets, all the seabirds of the cliffs and shore, as well as moorland birds, and possibly eagles, both golden and sea-eagles, seals, dolphins and whales. All around the coast there are such opportunities, it's just a case of finding somewhere you wont get blown off a cliff, end up in a swamp or get eaten by ferocious farm dogs. The stone circle at Callanish is out on a promontory which has lots of wildlife, the broch at Dun Carloway too is worth a visit. Harris is on the same land mass, the two areas were separated by mountains rather than sea, and developed different names due to their isolation from each other. There is a good road to Harris now; the beaches around Luskentyre/Seilebost and Horgabost are worth visiting; I saw a porpoise off Seilebost once. Look out from the ferry and you may well see whales on your crossing. I would stick to the North End and west coast, the east is a bit manky.

Luskentyre, Harris.

Uig, west coast of Lewis

Clach MacLeod, Horgabost, Harris.

Lewis machair near Barvas

[mmill]

On lewis one of the less known but lovely beaches is at valtos. It is also a very enjoyable wander around the headland. If you like seafood there is a good takeaway place on the road out there.

If you can get down to Harris, the Eagle observatory place is on the road out to hushnish. Hushnish is another great beach and headland to explore, well worth the drive down that road.

[Coop]

Do the boat trip to the Shiant Isles
I was there early July
Sea eagles, minke whales, puffins porpoises, razorbills cormorants, guillemots skuas, seals, fantastic trip

[John Doh]

Do the boat trip to the Shiant Isles
I was there early July
Sea eagles, minke whales, puffins porpoises, razorbills cormorants, guillemots skuas, seals, fantastic trip

Are there scheduled trips to the Shiants now? And yes OP, go there if possible, it’s one of the best island trips.

[PeterPWales]

Thank you for your replies.
The suggestions are most helpful.
Peter

[rob114]

Hi just arrived home from Lewis early this morning. We stayed at a campsite on the west coast and from the campsite saw a pair of sea eagles. Seem to be around that area, Shawbost quite often. Also saw eagles on a walk on the west coast. Dolphins spotted from ferry to Skye yesterday. Happy hunting.

[Coop]

Do the boat trip to the Shiant Isles
I was there early July
Sea eagles, minke whales, puffins porpoises, razorbills cormorants, guillemots skuas, seals, fantastic trip

Are there scheduled trips to the Shiants now? And yes OP, go there if possible, it’s one of the best island trips.

Yep, went with these
https://www.isleofharrisseatours.co.uk/trips/the-shiant-isles/
Fantastic day out

[John Doh]

Do the boat trip to the Shiant Isles
I was there early July
Sea eagles, minke whales, puffins porpoises, razorbills cormorants, guillemots skuas, seals, fantastic trip

Are there scheduled trips to the Shiants now? And yes OP, go there if possible, it’s one of the best island trips.

Yep, went with these
https://www.isleofharrisseatours.co.uk/trips/the-shiant-isles/
Fantastic day out

Very nice, l see they have trips to Taransay and Scarp as well. Another reason to return to Harris.

[Scraggygoat]

Another three places no longer free of credit card tourism……bugger.

[Bastonjock]

I was at Tolsta beach a couple of years ago , I saw two birds in the distance coming round the high cliffs ,I gazed up at them as they were flying in a strange pattern ,almost like two fighter planes practicing dog rights ,as they got closer I noticed the markings under the wings I identifying a juvenile golden eagle as they flew almost over head they did only what I can describe as an acrobatic tumble ,touching claws briefly to this day I wonder if it was an adult teaching a juvenile the rudiments of golden eagle courtship of was it two eagles signing a marriage pact

Unfortunately I had left my camera with the long lense in my camper ,the memory will never leave