In brief = Other Walking & Cycle Routes 7 5 Berneray Category: Moderate walk 8 Map Reference: OS Landranger 18 1 2 and Pathfinder 116 (NF88 / 98)
Walking Distance: Approx 12km / 9
10 7.5 miles Route Walking Time: Allow 5 - 6 hours to complete 3 the full circuit 4 11
5
12 Berneray 13
Our walking and cycling
14 routes are part of a series of self-guided trails through the Outer Hebrides. 6 For more information scan here. 15 16
www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/apps
Our islands offer great opportunities Outdoor Safety “For a small island, Berneray to explore the outdoors, with walks Staying safe whilst walking is mostly a matter of has a rich history and its providing you with the chance to get common sense: natural habitats support a • Check the weather forecast before you set out close to nature, history and heritage of • Wear appropriate clothing and footwear varied and abundant wildlife.” our islands or just to get out, enjoy the • Always tell your accommodation owners what time Berneray sunrise fresh air and get fit. you expect to arrive • Always bring a map and compass with you – and know how to use them Choose coastal walks around the Outer Hebrides • Take bus timetables and phone numbers for local or opt for wildlife walks, such as hiking through taxis in case you have problems on the walk or return the nature reserves or walks to spot eagles, www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/visitor-info deer and other exciting island inhabitants. • Ticks are often found in the heather. Dress appropriately to avoid them hitching a lift! Cover your arms and make sure History lovers can choose the Bonnie Prince your trousers are tucked into your socks and check yourself Charlie trail walks in Uist, while a selection after walking. Further advice can be found at: of hiking trails take in historic sites and www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Lyme-disease • Similarly, midges are prevalent at certain times of year. monuments providing ample points of interest Wear repellent and they will be less likely to bother you! along the way.
Whether you are looking for leisurely strolls Scottish Outdoor Access Code along island beaches, or challenging hikes Scotland has some of the best access laws in the world - you through rugged mountain terrain, walking on have the right to walk on most land, provided you behave responsibly and respect the rights of others. Full information our islands gives you a chance to really connect on access rights and responsibilities can be found at: with the outdoors and keep fit at the same time. www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
If you keep to the following guidelines you won’t go far wrong: • Do not disturb livestock or wildlife • Keep dogs under control, especially at lambing time For more information and to • Leave gates as you found them download other walking and cycling routes, • Take all your litter home visit: www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk • Park your car without blocking access for other vehicles. Explore... (west beach). (west beach). Shleibhe andbacktothecommunityhallalongTaigh Iar Baile, andalongeastbeach,Tràigh Bheasdaire,upBeinn takes youupBeinna’Claidhandthenalongthemainroadto then leftthroughBorghtotheendofroad.Theroute causeway andferryterminal,turnrightatthemainroad where carparkingisavailable.To reachthehallfrom The walkstartsandfinishesattheCommunityHall,Borgh, white sandsofTraigh Iar(West Beach). Old Telford Churchandthebeautiful seals, Macleod’s GunneryatBaile,the Bhaigh whereyoumayspotcommon views fromBeinna’Chlaidh,Locha’ This stunningcircularwalktakesin The Route and past the Church of and pasttheChurchof road CulnaBeinne(Backhill) route continuesalongthe behind theharbourand Bhuirgh (BorveHill)rises rough weather. Beinn which afforded noshelter in Loch a’Bhàigh(BaysLoch) boats hadtorideatanchorin in 1989.Beforethattime, The harbourwascompleted a’Bhaigh. harbour androundLoch hundred yardspastthe Rubha Mhanaisandinafew end atPolanOir, andonto 2 Loch a’bhaigh feet inheightanddatesback standing stone)standseight Cladh Maolorithe(the were famous! the whiskyforwhichthey which wasusedfordistilling to drawwaterfromthiswell, folk sailedovertoBerneray pure waterandthePabbay slope) wasrenownedforits Ullaraidh (thewellonthe wells, Tobar Leathad Maolrithe. Onthisislandof standing stoneatCladh (hill ofthegraveyard)to markers upBeinna’ Claidh your rightandfollowtheway Hall, gothroughagateon 1 Beinn a’chlaidh Walk pasttheBorghroad- LeavetheCommunity Design: we-are-bright.com Harris hillsfromBerneray road. you willturnleftalongthe down tothemainroadwhere Way markerswillguideyou kingship. to initiatealeaderintothe standing stoneandwasused much laterrelicthanthe rock. PossiblyPictish,itisa of asmallfootcarvedintothe Maolorithe. Onitistheimprint 120m southofCladh King), arockledgelyingabout Leac anRigh(flatstoneofthe more elusiveplacetofindis dedicated toStMaolrubha. A possibly 13thcentury, mark thesiteofalaterchurch, BC. The presentremains to theBronze Age about2000 branches off totheright. school (closedin2005) The roadtotheformerprimary around Laimrig(landingplace). of restoredthatchedcottages Seathain, thereareanumber Quay andLochBhatar place toseethem.Passing for commonsealsandagreat are afavouritebaskingplace The skerriesinLocha’Bhàigh road toBaile. Ruisgearraidh andfollowthe Keep totherightat Borgh andRuisgearraidh. between thetwotownshipsof church markstheboundary Scotland, builtin1887. The Macleod of Berneray Macleod ofBerneray (Here wasbornSirNorman de Bernerayequesauratus” illustris illeNormanusMacLeod which reads:“Hicnatusest marble slaboverthedoorlintel There isaninscriptionona island inliferenttohisson. Dunvegan, whograntedthe Mor MacLeodofHarrisand 1705), thethirdsonofRuairidh Sir NormanMacLeod(1614- Berneray andthebirthplaceof of theMacLeods 16th centuryandwastheseat The Gunnerydatesbacktothe MacLeod’s Gunnery. surviving buildingontheisland, and hereyouwillfindtheoldest 3 Baile Follow the road on to Baile FollowtheroadontoBaile Berneray Berneray Tràigh Iar “For asmallisland,Berneray abundant wildlife.” habitats supportavariedand has arichhistoryanditsnatural N Ghainche (SandHill). keeping off theslopesofBeinn markers alongtheshore, the gateandfollowway machair for1.3km,gothrough follow theroadalong Harris tothehills. Then with viewsacrosstheSoundof Tràigh Bheasdaire(EastBeach) The walkcontinuesalong still remain. close by, afewstones ofwhich moved toabiggerdomicile armoury whenSirNorman house wasconvertedintoan chiefly theMacDonald’s. The times offeudingwithrivalclans, splayed windowsfordefencein of twostoreyswithnarrow Gunnery wasafortifiedbuilding distinguished knight).The BEARNARAIGH BERNERAY/
strike out in a south easterly strike outinasoutheasterly beach andthenturninlandto the remainingdistanceof a’Chorrain youwalkabouthalf Having roundedRubh’ line. summer abovethehightide sea rocketgrowinthe the highdunesandclumpsof ravens andgullsglideabove its tracksinthesand,where usually seenoftheotterare strand, whereallthatis three mileslong.Itisasolitary a magnificentbeachalmost 5 machair Dunes and countless generations. was usedasaburialsitefor see theoldcemetery, which fertile andonitsslopeyouwill Beinn Ghaincheisgreenand a privatehome. sympathetically convertedinto In recentyearsithasbeen the otherforPabbayfolk. Berneray congregationand two entrances,oneforthe by ThomasTelford, had but 1827, fromastandarddesign Lagachella. Itwasbuiltin stands onarockybluff in Church ofScotlandbuilding 4 Beinn Ghainche Tràigh Iar(West Beach)is The OldEstablished on theduneaboveit. most breath-takingbeachor then walkfor3.5kmalongthe the east.Descendhilland Wester Rosscanbeseento mountains ofmainland the westofBerneray. The Boreray, theisland lyingoutto just beyondthenorthtipof Kilda onthewesternhorizon, Sound ofPabbay. LookforSt spectacular viewsoverthe where youcanenjoy the summitofBeinnShleibhe, follow thewaymarkersupto Once pastthefenceline, Community Hall. The routereturnstothe also haveViking associations. Stone, someofwhichmay including theenigmaticChair archaeological remains where youcansee the machairtoScalabraig way markersfor1kmacross Turn totheleftandfollow small lochs. transformed intoanetworkof land isfloodedinwinterand Community Hall.Muchofthis direction ofthe the dunes,ingeneral the undulatinglandbehind direction acrossthemachair, West Beach