Aird a' Mhorain, Grenitote

Combine sandy beaches with a visit to a grassy headland, returning past an excavated roundhouse at Udal. A good walk to watch for seabirds, marine mammals and otters.

Terrain

Sandy beach, grassy headland and machair tracks.

Public Transport

Bus from Sollas (W19) on route to Carinish.

Start

Parking area north of A865 at road end at Grenitote (Greinetobht). Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Description

Stage 1

The walk starts from the road end at Grenitote where there is a small parking area and picnic tables. Turn off the A865 at the north of the island of North Uist, just east of Sollas. Walk along the track towards the beach, crossing a small burn on stepping stones (if the water is high, you may detour inland using a farm track) and then continuing on the sands at the edge of large Tràigh Ear, a wide sandy bay popular with wading and sea birds.

Stage 2

Eventually the spit of land at Corran Aird a Mhorain is reached. Cross this to reach the outer beach where otters can sometimes be seen in the water and their footprints on the sand. Turn left to follow the beach. Across the water the mountains of Harris and Lewis can be seen to the north.

Stage 3

As the second bay curves round, the beach reaches a pebbly section. Head onto the grassy ground here to follow a vague path marked with a yellow marker post. Soon the cemetery of the Macleans of Boreray can be seen ahead; continue to reach it. Boreray is the small island directly in front of the headland.

Stage 4

From the cemetery head north west across the dunes aiming for the highest point on the headland. You should pick up a track part way across, keep left at a fork and keep heading for the trig point at the summit of Aird a' Mhorain. It may be only 40m above sea level but it is a great viewpoint.

Stage 5

Head down onto the crescent of sand at Tràigh Udal on the west side of the headland and walk across the beach. At the far end pick up a grassy track heading inland. A yellow marker post is soon passed beside a small but prominent hillock on the left. Climb this to view the impressive remains of an excavated roundhouse and other historic remains; this site was inhabited for over a thousand years.

Stage 6

From the roundhouse return to the track which leads towards Rubha Bheilis. Before the point take the left fork and follow the grassy track across the machair behind the dunes of Tràigh Iar. Eventually it cuts left inland between two fences to cross the peninsula back to Tràigh Ear, the beach you crossed on the outward route. Turn right here to retrace your steps to the start.

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