Heaval is the highest summit on the Isle of Barra, and forms a dramatic backdrop to Castlebay. The ascent is short but very steep and rewards with stunning views on a clear day.
Road approach, then very steep ascent on mostly grassy ground, damp in places.
Castlebay is served by ferries from Oban, and from Lochboisdale on South Uist. It is also the hub for buses on Barra.
Ferry terminal / bus stop, Castlebay.
On arrival by ferry in Castlebay visitors' attention is drawn first to the dramatic Kissimul Castle set on its tiny island just offshore, before the eye is drawn to the great peak of Heaval towering impressively behind the village; from further out in the bay it takes on a dramatic cone-like outline. It is possible to drive (or take the bus) for 1.75km east along the A888, but this description assumes a start from the ferry terminal in Castlebay on foot. Facing the sea, turn left along the road, passing the bus stop, post office a small jetty which enables a short boat trip to be made to visit dramatic Kissimul Castle if desired. Kissimul Castle was the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacNeil; it dates from the fifteenth century but was restored in the early twentieth.
At the t-junction turn right, passing beneath the Craigard Hotel and church, with great views to the right over the bay and castle. Continue along the main road as it leaves the village and steadily climbs, with Heaval seen impressively ahead. After 1.8km from the ferry the road reaches a modern house with a parking area behind it (which can be used as the walk start if you have a car on the island); immediately beyond the car park is a quarry. Leave the road here and head onto the moorland on the left side; there is an obvious point where there was once a stile and there are still wooden duckboards to aid a crossing of the fence, or there is another slightly awkward stile a short distance further on.
The route now basically climbs directly up towards Heaval which is seen ahead. There are a number of faint paths but these are easily lost on the initially boggy ground. Higher up the ground becomes drier and the going steepens; bear right slightly to head into a grassy gully that climbs up below the rocks beneath a white statue of the Virgin and Child. Once clear of the rocks a path leads right to visit the statue, which has a wonderful outlook back down to Castlebay.
From here the upper part of Heaval appears to be a steep, possibly impregnable rocky cone. A path leads up and passes to the left of the cone, still climbing steeply. A path branches off right to climb up onto the ridge behind the cone, but the going is easier if you continue slightly further before cutting up to the ridge. The summit trig point is towards the far end.
The views from here on a clear day are nothing short of awesome, especially over Castlebay to Vatersay and the string of uninhabited islands beyond. It is possible to continue along the chain of hills to make a long walk, eventually heading down to the loop road on the north side of the island, but our walk simply retraces your steps back down the steep descent to the road and village.
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