Walking Rubha Hunish: Skye's Dramatic Northern Tip
57°42'06.6"N 6°20'40.2"W (opens Google Maps)
There are still places on the Isle of Skye where it is possible to escape the crowds. At Rubha Hunish, on the northernmost reach of the island, you can walk until there is no more land. It’s a world away from the crowded coach parks at the Old Man of Storr.
On a clear day, you can gaze from the cliffs across the Minch to the Outer Hebrides and watch cormorants and gannets glide through the eddies. If you are lucky, you may see dolphins and minke whales.
If the weather is bad, you can view this ever-changing canvas of sea, sky, and light through the 180-degree bay window of the Lookout Bothy—a refurbished coastal watch station. If you find it difficult to tear yourself away, why not spend a night in the Bothy?
On the way to the Lookout Bothy, you will pass Erisco, a collection of abandoned crofts from the land clearances in the 19th century. This land has been occupied since Viking times. This intertwined heritage is reflected in the name ‘Hunish’, which comes from Old Norse, meaning ‘headland of the bear cub’.
How to go
The 6 km out-and-back walk begins from a small car park beside a red telephone box on the A855, just outside Uig. The car park is small, so early or late arrival is recommended during peak season.
For those seeking an overnight adventure, you can stay at the Lookout Bothy for free. Visitors should come prepared with their own sleeping gear, provisions, water, and a stove.
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