Hough Bay and Beinn

Summary

Stride out across the Machair towards Tiree's most westerly point, overlooking one of its very finest beaches. The walk then continues along the stonier Hough Bay before a rougher climb up to the two summits of Beinn Hough - the island's second highest hill.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Grassy tracks across the machair and sandy beaches. Return hill section is rough, steep and boggy.

Getting there

Start

Verge of minor road at NL947451.

Public Transport

No bus service on Tiree.

Start Grid Ref

NL947451

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 6km / 3.75 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 149m (Profile)

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Explorer 372 - Coll & Tiree

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Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Park on the verge of the minor road at NL947451, where there are a couple of houses at the southern foot of Ben Hough. The walk begins along the track from here with the 'private road' sign; it also had a footpath sign, but at the time of writing this has been knocked down. When the track forks in front of a bungalow take the grassier, middle option of those leading to the right of the bungalow. This grassy track leads across the machair - keep left at a fork to take the lower track, soon passing through a gate in a fence. Continue, keeping left at a fork and passing an old concrete military building.

Stage 2

The track heads towards the grassy headland of Rubha Hanais. Continue to reach a low grassy mound - this is Dun Hanais, once the site of an ancient fort. Though little remains of the stonework, there are stunning views of the quite magnificent sweep of The Maze beach (Tràigh Thòrasdail) to the south - which surely must rank as one of the very finest beaches. The beach can be visited if you wish by a detour through a gate.

Stage 3

This walk, however, instead continues along the grassy coastline to the north. Pass around the back of the small bay of Port Hanais, passing through a gate and then bear left onto a grassy track that leads out onto Rubha Craiginis, the most westerly point on Tiree. Rather than heading right onto the flat point, turn right to head down onto the next beach - Tràigh Hough.

Stage 4

This beach has sand but also pebbles and sometimes seaweed - continue across it - or along the back - for 800m until the rocks jut out across the beach. Now head inland to pick up a good track. This winds a course eastwards through the dunes. Continue along it until flat, grassy machair ground is reached, then aim southeast across it, passing to the right of the concrete building, and aiming for the bealach in the middle of the hill of Beinn Hough ahead. Head over rough and muddy ground up towards the obvious col - the Beallach na Beinne - between the northern and southern halves of the hill.

Stage 5

Make sure you head all the way up into the col, from which rough paths head up the hills on either side. You'll return to this point, but first turn left to divert to visit the higher northern summit (the second highest point on Tiree). By the summit trig point is a concrete building - an observation post that was part of the RAF presence in Tiree during WW2.

Stage 6

Retrace your steps back to the col and then head up the far side, soon reaching the southern summit - Beinn Mhurstart - which has a small mast at the top (above the large mast tower) - a fine viewpoint. The general flatness of Tiree is very evident from here, broken only by the radar station summit Carnan Mòr on Ben Hynish, and the Ceann a' Mhara headland.

Stage 7

Join the tarred track from the larger transmitter tower just below and follow this as it winds down the hill. It soon leads back to the road at the start of the walk.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree Hotels

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree B&B

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree cottages

Small Isles, Coll & Tiree hostels

Glamping and Camping

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