Isle of Flodaigh seals, off Benbecula

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A pleasant short walk to a sea inlet overlooking a small island where seals bask at low tide. Also a good spot to linger on a fine day and watch for birds and otters.

Terrain

Farm track, then boggy path, return route can be a little overgrown in summer.

Public Transport

Bus (W19) at start of Flodaigh road on A865.

Start

End of public road to Isle of Flodaigh, off Benbecula, just south of causeway to Grimsay. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 3.13/58

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Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

To reach Flodaigh, turn off the A865 on Benbecula, just south of the causeway to North Uist, at a bend with a telephone box, following the sign for Flodaigh. If you wish to lengthen the walk, by walking the pleasant section of road and causeway to the island, you can park at this junction, otherwise continue along the road until after the causeway slightly up the hill there is a parking area with rubbish bins at the road end. Note that parking here is not allowed between 8.00 and 8:45am, and between 3.30 and 4.30pm. Do not drive beyond the parking area and do not block entrances or the turning space. Start the walk by following the right hand track which climbs from the parking area.

Stage 2

When the track levels off go through the gate and then through a second gate. There are good views north to the prominent hill of Eaval on North Uist.

Stage 3

Continue until the track bends left to head towards the croft house, soon turn right onto a grassy path signed Seal Point. The wide path can be wet underfoot, continue ahead through a gap in the fence. At a faint path junction (the return route comes in from the left here) bear right onto a smaller grass path to round the end of the the fence ahead and then keep straight ahead with the other fence on your right.

Stage 4

After passing some old farm machinery the shore is reached. The best viewing area for the common seal colony is from here with most seals found on a small island in the middle of the bay. Bright green mounds of grass marked with white spraint show that otters live locally.

Stage 5

To return take the path to the right as you face inland. This heads through bracken which can be a little overgrown in summer to follow the side of a deep inlet. This is a great place to watch seals in the water and look for otters and birdlife. At the head of the inlet continue ahead. Before the trees are reached bear left to follow the boggy path along the line of old wooden fence posts. This soon rejoins the outward route, turn right along this to return to the track and parking area.

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Isle of Flodaigh seals, off Benbecula

Click to Install our FREE APP
Download our route guides and use offline with free GPS mapping

Terrain

Public Transport

Start

Users' reports

Walk Statistics

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