Tip of Baleshare (North Uist)

Tip of Baleshare (North Uist)

This short coastal walk explores the beaches and dunes at the northern tip of the small island of Baleshare (East Township). A West Township island also once existed but was swept away in the 16th century by a tidal wave. Today the remaining island is reached by a causeway from North Uist.

• Distance: 6.6 km / 4.1 miles
• Ascent: minimal
• Terrain: Beach, dune paths, animal paths, quad bike track.
• Start /finish: parking area at NF 779 613 on the west coast of Baleshare

Route Map

Start the walk from the signed parking area on the west coast of Baleshare at the end of a track (grid ref NF 779 613). From here walk northwards (sea to your left) either on the sandy/pebbly beach or on paths through the dunes. On a nice day this walk is magnificent, in the face of an Atlantic storm it’s either exhilarating or miserable depending upon your point of view.

An archaeological site is present a few hundred metres after leaving the car park. Keep going the length of the beach. A small grassy hillock provides a wee detour towards the end of the peninsula and is the highest point of the walk should you choose to include it. As you near the northern tip you can look across sea and sand to the uninhabited island of Kirkibost.

Walk around the end of the land to reach the eastern side of the peninsula and pick up traces of sheep paths for your return. There is less beach walking on this side so stick to the dunes and then the machair. If you aim towards the houses at Teanna Mhachair you will be able to join a quad bike track which takes you to the houses and reaches the end of the tarmac road.

A short walk (less than 1km) down the road and beach access track brings you back to the car park.