Scourie Headland

This short but rough coastal walk runs out onto the peninsula from Scourie beach with its bird-watchers hide. The sea views, particularly from the cairns near the point, are superb.

Terrain

Rough coastal path, poor underfoot for grade 1

Public Transport

Bus service (806/805) from Durness and Lairg.

Start

Scourie - beach car park. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Walk Description

Stage 1

Park at Scourie beach car park, signed from the main road; there is plenty of space at the near end of the beach beside the wildlife hide. The hide is well worth a visit as, even if the birds aren't visiting, there is a wealth of information on the local ecology and geology inside. Begin the walk by following the road across the back of the beach, which is small but sandy, to the cemetery. Do not enter the cemetery but follow the wall around to the right, soon passing through a gate.

Stage 2

Continue alongside the cemetery to reach a bench with a fine view across Scourie Bay. The faint path curves round the back of the cemetery and then runs along the steep grassy coast, just above a line of old wooden fenceposts. Handa Island is in view ahead. The path descends a little to pass through a pedestrian gate and then rounds the back of a pebbly bay.

Stage 3

On the far side of the bay there is another gate, right beside a line of low cliffs which runs out into the sea. Go through this and the path forks; keep right here. The path is faint and can be wet in places as it leads out towards Rubha Shios.

Stage 4

There are several cairns marking viewpoints near the point. The Old Man of Stoer is in clear view on a good day, terminating a vast stretch of coastline and backed by the mountains of Ben Stack, Quinag, Canisp and Suilven. Just off the coast to the west the small island is Eilean a'Bhuic.

Stage 5

The easiest return route is to go back the same way. Numerous rougher and pathless variations are possible. You could continue round and then keep left of a lochan before returning to the outward route at the fork. Further options include crossing a stile between the lochan and the sea to continue round the coast to Camas nam Buth or perhaps even Camas an Tairidh for the adventurous.

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