CORVID-19 is still here and you are asked to be safe whilst out in the North West of Scotland. Current restrictions have been relaxed recently. Even so, please do not go out in the area if you are showing signs of Corvid-19. When out paddling or hillwalking make sure you give people space - 1m at least and preferable 2m. Remember that if it feels too crowded then you can walk away and try somewhere else; the environment will still be there tomorrow. Also remember the emergency services, the RNLI and the MRT. They will come out to rescue you but they should not have to put themselves into danger from this virus.

Take Care Out There.

Handa Island

Handa Island
OS map : 9
start : Tarbet
gridref : NC163488
summary : Tarbet - around Handa - Tarbet
tide : HW/LW 10mins after Ullapool. The tide on the west of Handa can be as large as 3knots.
distance : 12.0km.
time taken : 3hr. 30min.

The beach on Handa.

The big cliffs on the west.

The bay with the Great Stack.

Handa is an important nature reserve and as such there are many sea birds around the island at all times of the year. The circumnavigation of the island is a must-do sea kayak journey. The west side of Handa can suffer from considerable swell and there are limited places to pull off, so a calm day is best for this journey.

Start at the slip from where the ferry goes over to Handa at the small Hamlet of Tarbet. Parking is Ok around the slip. Make sure you kee the slip clear when the ferry is away.

Set off from Tarbet where there are some interesting islands on the north of the exit from the slipway. Paddle south west towards Handa, where there is an obvious beach ahead. great views south of here down the coastline. Make for the beach that the ferry lands, but do not land yourself. Go around the small headland to the much larger beach. Good idea to land here and an excuse for a coffee. There are no real stopping points on Handa so a rest early on is sensible.(2.5kms. 0hrs. 50min.)

Now the paddle circumnavigates the island in a clockwise manner. Away from the beach the coast becomes rocky and interesting. As you navigate around the island these cliffs grow to climax around the Gteat Stac of Handa at some 100m high. If time and swell allows it is well worth exploring this far side of the island. There is nowhere else like it. Visit in June or July the noise (and smell) is indescribable. Continue around the island and the cliffs diminish and the mainland coast comes into view. Worth continuing around and go ashore at the beach the ferry lands at.(7kms. 2hrs. 10min.)

Back to the mainland. Head north east towards the ferry slipway. On days of slightly rougher seas, it may be better to cross directly to the mainland and continue up the coast than making directly to the slipway.(2.5kms. 0hrs. 50min.)