Themed Walks

HARRIS

Guided Walks on the Northton Machair

The machairs or sandy shore plains of Harris are famous for the variety of their bird and plant life.Inn the nesting season, the machair at Northton is full of wading birds - lapwing, redshank, ringed plover etc, while the eagle, buzzard and raven are frequently seen on the nearby mountains. The flower cover in the summer is spectacular, ranging from the white daisies and clover and the yellow of buttercups to the red of Knapweed and Orchids. Your guides on the walks will be Bill and Chris Lawson, whose knowledge of the history of the area is unrivalled. Each walk will take approximately three hours, though this can be extended if wished. The terrain is not at all difficult, but you are advised to wear stout shoes or boots, and to bring waterproofs. Walks will commence from the Macgillvray Machair Centre carpark.

Contact:
Bill Lawson Enterprises:
Tel: 44(0)1859 520 488
Email: lawsonbil@aol.com

THE UISTS

Balranald Nature Reserve Walks

Managed by the royal Society for the protection of Birds in co-operation with local crofters, this reserve has great examples of salt marshes, marshland habitats, wetlands and machair lands.  The sandy beaches and a rocky foreshore are separated from the machair and marshes by sand dunes; there are also shallow lochs. The information centre explains the importance of traditional crafting agriculture for the now rare corncrake and other wildlife. Many species of wading birds nest on the flower rich machair and the croftlands.  The guided walks last from one to one and a half hours and run from May to August, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am

Contact:
Balranald Reserve Office
Tel: 44(0)1876 560 287

Ranger Walks

Over the last two years, since the Uist Countryside Ranger Service again, many new walks have been introduced through out the Uists. This year, 2002, twelve walks have been selected out of the Uist environment that are spectacular and varied and will introduce the visitor to some of the remoter, often unseen treasures of the Uists.

Each walk has been chosen to show walkers the rich natural and cultural hand, local knowledge about the environment and the way of life. It is this heritage that these islands are famed for. Guided walks allow walkers to experience, first local knowledge that can so often make a walk an experience to remember.

A new feature of the walks this year is that they will be bilingual and will introduce walkers to our native Gaelic language out in the environment. It is anticipated that many walkers will be able to speak a couple of useful Gaelic phrases by the end of the walk. Contact: James Macletchie for further information about the walks: Uist Countryside Ranger Service,

1. Vallay- the beautiful island of Vallay sits invitingly on the horizon on the other side of the stunning Vallay strand. This enchanting island is rich in history, flora, fauna and fantastic scenery. Treat yourself to a half-day walk across the tidal Vallay strand and around the shores of this enchanting island. with the Countryside Ranger. Experience the natural history and visit ancient sites of archaeological importance. Visit the ruined mansion of Erskine Beveridge
2. History and Wildlife-this circular walk around Ben Langass treats the walker to ancient standing stones, a burial chamber and a variety of wildlife such as otters, red deer and raptors. Ben Langass summit is the ideal vantage point to view the fantastic scenery that makes the Uists islands to remember.
3. Island Discovery - spend a couple of hours wandering around the unspoilt island of Berneray. Discover the islands history; learn about its people and the giant MacAskill who lived here. Explore the only rabbit free machair in the Uists that in the summer months is ablaze with the colour of wild flowers. This is Prince Charles’s favourite island. Why not make it yours for a day?
4. Moorland and Coastline Discovery- Spend a couple of hours with the Countryside Ranger on this wonderful walk out from Loch Skipport to the Usinish Lighthouse. Pass abandoned black houses, remote shielings, and the wizard pool. Relax and enjoy a feast of truly panoramic scenery across Loch Skipport and over the sea to Skye. Once at the lighthouse walkers are collected by boat (weather permitting) for a scenic trip back into Loch Skipport. Isn’t it time you discovered more of the Uists.
5. Crofting and History- Howmore is the setting for this wonderful coastal walk. View an interesting ecclesiastical site containing the remains of two chapels and two churches. Pass thatched houses and learn the history of these island homes. Explore the coast and the machair and relax in the pure Uist environment. Enjoy the splendid views across the Atlantic Ocean to the Island of Barra and beyond.
6. Whisky Galore- walk around the lovely island of Eriskay and home of the Eriskay pony. Visit Charlie's beach where Bonnie Prince Charlie first set foot on British soil in1745. Visit the isolated village of Rossinish and pay a visit to the local pub the Politician named after the ship SS Politician which ran aground in 1941 of the coast of Eriskay with a cargo of 20,000 cases of whisky bound for America
7. Sea Birds and Natural Heritage- spend a couple of hours exploring the rugged coastline of Griminish Point and Scolpaig. Watch seals around in the Atlantic surf, fulmars and passing seabirds. Climb to the top of Ben scolpaig; take in the fantastic panoramic view towards the isolated island of St Kilda.
8. Wildflower and Machair Wander- Discover the secret of the wildflowers of the Uist machair. Wander the machair; learn about crofting and the rich variety of wildlife that is present in the summer in abundance.
9. Battlefield and Woodland- Start this wonderful walk in the village of Carinish, scene of the last battle in the Uists. Visit the ancient Trinity Temple and then proceed to walk into the newly created Community Woodland. Learn about the Millennium forest and this important habitat.
10. Crofting, Nature and Archaeology- walk through a Uist crofting village and discover the life of the crofter. See ruined black houses and duns and learn about the fascinating history of this special place. Walk out onto the coast and enjoy the Uist freedom and its wildlife and spectacular bird life.
11. Rossinish and Rueval- walk out the Rossinish track and up the highest hill in Benbecula. Treat yourself to fantastic views across the Uist landscape and the East coast. Follow the Rossinish track to the Millennium track at Rarinish.
12. Kildonan- explore some of the wonderful scenery and history of South Uist. See the remains of duns, an ancient church and a clearance village. Enjoy the beauty of the machair flowers in full bloom and visit the coastline to watch the variety of wildlife that is present in abundance in the summer months.