Fine coastal scenery on this short circular route taking in Tiumpan Lighthouse. The cliffs are popular with nesting seabirds.
Minor road, waymarked coastal path, very boggy in places.
None to start.
Parking area just before Tiumpan Head Lighthouse.
The Eye peninsula - or Point as it is known locally - stretches north east from Stornoway, culminating at Tiumpan Head at its furthest extremity. Take the A866 from Stornoway and park just before the lighthouse where there is a small parking area. From here walk to see the lighthouse which was built in 1900 by David Stevenson at a cost of £9000. Although the lighthouse is still owned by the Northern Lighthouses Board, it was automated in 1985 and the cottages sold and are now privately owned.
To start the walk head back along the road for a short distance and cross a broken down stile on the left side near an information board and passing space. Follow the waymarker posts which head directly for the cliffs at first and then stick to the higher ground away from the cliff edge. The rocky coast here is popular with seabirds, making an impressive spectacle during the nesting season.
The route now keeps further inland, aiming just to the right of a high headland straight ahead. The path skirts old peat cuttings to reach the rocky bay before Foitealar, a good place to sit and watch for marine mammals - seals, otters, porpoises and passing whales have all been seen from this stretch of coast.
The route now heads directly inland to cross a stile just to the right of the last house. Cross the ditch to the left (bridge missing but can be jumped) onto the road opposite Loch an t-Suimpain. Turn right to follow the minor road back to the start point.
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