Butt of Lewis - Lewis
Circular walk: 5.77 miles
what3words address for parking: there is a small car park opposite the Eoropie Dunes Park at ///edit.bitter.wool.
We walked this route anti-clockwise. After parking in the car park we walked back towards the B8013. A track on the other side  leads to the B8014 and we turned right here. The first mile of this walk was on the minor road and we wanted to get the tarmac out of the way to start with. The road is very quiet – three vehicles passed us over the mile, one being a tractor; and this was in early July.
After just over a mile, a track on the left leads to a water tower and also Dun Eistean. A sign on the B road directs you down this track. Although it’s not indicated on the OS maps, there is actually a small (2/3 cars) car park at the end of this track for the Dun. Access by car is possible, but be warned –  it’s a rough track and might not do your car’s suspension a lot of good.  However, you could start and finish the walk from here.
The site is interesting even though almost nothing remains; largely because the location is so impressive.
From the Dun we followed the path along the cliff top. There are intermittent posts that mark the route but as long as the sea is on your right you’re going in the right direction!
Just before the lighthouse you rejoin a minor road for a couple of hundred yards. There were some new picnic tables beside the lighthouse and we stopped for a bite to eat. This is alleged to be the windiest place in the UK and past visits can testify to that but today the wind was fairly light and the sun was shining.
The path continues past the left side of the lighthouse (follow the marker posts). We actually went around the right side of the lighthouse but this is not to be recommended if it’s in least bit windy.
Keep the sea on your right, look out for the route marker posts and you will end up coming down to the beach at Traigh Shanndaigh (gorgeous) and from here it’s a very short stroll back to the car park at the Dunes Park.
This made an easy walk on a lovely day with fantastic views; somewhat reminiscent of Cornwall and Pembrokeshire.
walking
PeterHadfield on scottexservices.com