Handa Island Ferry Walk
Highlands
Handa Island sits in the mouth of Loch Laxford in Sutherland and is managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust as one of Scotland's most important seabird reserves. The red Torridonian sandstone cliffs on the island's north-western face hold one of the largest breeding seabird colonies in north-west Europe, with razorbills, guillemots, kittiwakes, great skuas and puffins nesting in their tens of thousands. The island walk follows a circular route from the landing beach across moorland and along the cliff tops to the main viewing points above the Great Stack, a detached sea pillar colonised by nesting birds from base to summit.
Dogs are permitted on Handa Island during the ferry season, but the Scottish Wildlife Trust requests that they are kept on leads throughout the island during the nesting season (April to August) to protect ground-nesting birds including great skuas, which are aggressively territorial. Off-lead potential is therefore low in the visiting season. Outside the nesting period the island ferry does not operate. The experience of visiting is nonetheless remarkable and uniquely dog friendly in that dogs are not excluded, simply managed. The cliff-top views and the sheer scale of the seabird colony are extraordinary. Check current SWT guidance before visiting as rules can be updated.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.5 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Low
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