Aird Laimisiadair circuit, Na Gearrannan

Summary

A circular walk around this rugged, rocky headland from the Garenin Blackhouse village. The route offers great clifftop scenery and superb seascapes as well as visiting the deserted township of Laimishader.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

No path in places, rough, rocky and boggy coastal clifftops. Navigation skills required, and care on steep sections above cliffs. Livestock present on the route; if you must take a dog, keeping under tight control is essential.

Getting there

Start

Na Gearrrannan (Garenin) Blackhouse village car park.

Public Transport

Bus to An Gearrannan blackhouse village; the walk could as easily be started from the junction with the main road in Carloway.

Start Grid Ref

NB194441

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.5km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3.5 hours
Ascent: 250m (Profile)

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Explorer 460 - North Lewis

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Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Start from the car park for the Garenin Blackhouse village (Na Gearrannan in Gaelic). Begin the walk by walking down between the thatched houses. The last residents left the village in the 1970s but it was restored by a trust established in 1989; amongst the blackhouses are a cafe and museum (open summer only). At the coastal end of the village ignore the path right for the West Side coastal walk and instead head through the gate, following the track down to the pebbles above the shore. Head left over the pebble bank and then up the rough path on the far side and soon go through a pedestrian gate and bear right on a muddy path.

Stage 2

At first there is no clear path although there are a number of sheep trods and some cairns on high points on the first small headland. Bear right initially, making a rising traverse above the coastline then bearing to the left of the cairn atop the first headland to cut across to the next inlet. From here there is a good view of much of the walk, with the tiny lighthouse visible together with a cairn above the cliffs on the prominent headland of Rubha Talanish. Now on a clearer grassy path, pass round the back of the bay; cross a fence at a stile (broken in 2026 let us know if it's been repaired) Keep to the left of the rocky knoll ahead and then climb over to the next inlet north of Loch Dubh na Glaic, keep to the path nearer the coast when it forks.

Stage 3

Take care on the steeper ground, keeping safely away from the cliff edges. Cross a stream and pass through a tumbledown drystone wall and, further on, a narrow gap in a second wall. Eventually the route reaches some old stone sheepfolds above the sea; pass this and climb up to the cairn atop Rubha Talanish - a great viewpoint for looking back along the coast. Descend to cross the stones to the right of Loch Rinn na Geodha and climb steeply. At the next inlet follow the path that descends a steep section of rocky ground to a flatter, boggy area.

Stage 4

Continue until the final climb to the lighthouse, a steep path heads up near the sea, easier ground is found further left. The lighthouse is small and modern but it commands grand seascapes. The island of Great Bernera is seen to the southwest together with countless smaller islands and skerries. The walk now returns round the southern side of the peninsula. Pass a small cairn then aim across very wet ground to pass between the south end of Loch na h-Airde and the sea. The broch of Dun Carloway is prominent across Loch Carloway.

Stage 5

Once on the coastline a narrow path leads the way, take care not to follow sheep paths leading down to the cliffs. After crossing the southern side of Ben Laimishader a series of ruins are reached. These are the remains of Laimishader, one of the first townships on Lewis to be cleared in 1796. Cross the grassy land behind the bay, aiming towards a gap in the drystone wall beneath the steep ground beyond. Pass through the gap to pick up the remains of the original path to Laimishader; mostly still easy to follow, this slopes to the right, then zig-zags left and right again to thread a route up the cliffs. There are grand views looking back; when the path emerges on easier ground bear left a littler to reach a clearer track.

Stage 6

Follow the track to the right to reach a gate and the road at the crofts of Borghastan. Continue along the road until a T-junction with the road to An Gearrannan blackhouse village. Turn left along this to return to the start.

Route Profile

Where to stay

Outer Hebrides Hotels

Outer Hebrides B&B

Isle of Lewis cottages

Outer Hebrides hostels

Glamping and Camping

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