Ui Church and Broad Bay Beach, near Stornoway

Summary

This short walk visits the important ruins of the medieval Eaglais na h-Aoidhe (Ui Church) and its beautiful carved gravestones before exploring the sandy beach on the north side of the tombolo that links Point to the rest of Lewis. The return is on a dune path, visiting the striking memorial to a group of 19th century land raiders.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Good paths, sandy beach, grassy field.

Public Transport

Bus to start from Stornoway.

Start

Parking on left at east end of tombolo beside Loch Bràigh na h-Aoidhe. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 2km / 1.25 miles
Time: 1 hour
Ascent: 25m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NB483320

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Walk Description

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Stage 1

Take the A866 out of Stornoway towards the Eye peninsula (known locally as Point). On the far side of the narrow isthmus of land there is limited parking on the left just after the cemetery - the large stone Aignish Raiders memorial can be seen up on the left. There is more parking further back with toilets and also a layby a little further on the south side of the road. Start by turning left to take the track next to the house signed for the church. Go through the gate and at the coast bear right to reach the church grounds.

Stage 2

The earliest parts of Eaglais na h-Aoidhe (or St Columba's Church) date back to the 13th century. The eastern part of the church is thought to have been build by the Clan Macleod with at least 18 Macleod chiefs likely to be buried here. Inside the covered part of the building is an impressive collection of early carved gravestones. The church has recently undergone extensive conservation work and the sea wall has also been improved to prevent undermining by the sea.

Stage 3

From the church gate head to the left and then turn down the ramp to access the beach. There is usually a broad strand of sand here with a few rocky skerries out to sea providing a good place to spot seals and seabirds. Bear left to walk along the beach, at high tide you may need to walk on the stepped sea wall.

Stage 4

Continue until a gap in the sea wall and go up the steps. At the top turn left through a gate and follow the path near the top of the sea wall. Once past the modern day cemetery cross the grassy field to view the Aignish Farm Raiders Memorial. Erected in 1995, it commemorates a fierce standoff between landless locals and police and marines armed with bayonets sent to regain a farm that locals had seized control of in January 1888.

Stage 5

Driven by poverty, inequality of land ownership, and anger at the defence of wealthy landowners by the Government, this was part of the ongoing Crofters War which eventually led to land reform. The bravery of locals, including 13 who were imprisoned, is commemorated in the stone split cairn designed by Will Maclean and built by local stonemason Jim Crawford. It is one of 3 memorials to the land struggle on Lewis. While ultimately successful - Aignish Farm was divided into crofts in 1905 - many of the original raiders had died by then, the information panel has this verse, "Many of them sleep below. This ground they hoped to gain. The pity is they cannot know. Their raid was not in vain." Head slightly towards the sea to reach a gate on the right, go through it and turn right to return to the start.

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