Route: Rubh’ an Teampaill (Northton Temple)
Area: Scotland, Isle of Harris
Date of walk: 7th March 2018
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.6 miles
Ascent: 300 feet
Weather: Sunny
Yesterday we caught the ferry from Uig on Skye and arrived on the Isle of Harris. We’d planned a short walk visiting the three sites of the standing stones of Callanish on nearby Lewis, but on arrival the weather was really poor. Driving rain and freezing winds caused us to abandon that plan and we contented ourselves with a visit to the main stone circle next to the visitor centre. I’ve included a few photos of this wonderfully atmospheric place. It was well worth the detour despite the conditions
We then drove to our base in Harris for the next few days – Blue Reef Cottages. After several days of miserable weather it was a treat to open the curtains this morning to the sight of sun and some blue skies, so without ado we set off to start our first walk here. A 10 minute drive along the coast brought us to the village of Northton. We parked at the far end of the village and after passing through a gate followed a track through the fields, with some glorious views of the sea and snow clad peaks to our right
After walking across some sand dunes we arrived at the beautiful deserted beach of Traigh na Cleabhaig, one of several small beaches which make this walk so special. Our destination came into sight – a ruined chapel known as Rubh’ an Teampaill (Gaelic) or Northton Temple (English). This medieval chapel was built on the site where once stood an Iron Age Broch, on land which has been continually occupied since Mesolithic times
After visiting the small building and admiring the stunning and extensive views we retraced our steps back to the start of a short and simple but very sweet walk
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The day before the walk, and aboard the ferry from Skye as we arrive on the Isle of Harris...
After disembarking we drove to the Standing Stones of Calanais on nearby Lewis (part of the same landmass as Harris)
It was raining and blowing a gale, but the weather somehow added to the atmosphere of this ancient site, dating back some 5,000 years
There are 3 separate sites and we'd hoped to link these into a walk - but changed our plan in view of the weather. These photos were all taken at the main circle
The end of a wonderful visit, but let's hope for better weather tomorrow...
...next morning, and the view from Blue Reef Cottages, our base for the next few days
We last stayed here about 10 years ago, and have very happy memories of the cottage, set in a wonderful location
Views from the cottage...
Beinn Dhubh on the right, which we'll be climbing on the final day of our stay here
From the cottage we drive a short distance down the road to Northton, here seen from the roadside
We parked the car beyond Northton, where the road ends, and walked through this gate onto the grazing land beyond
Highland cattle, and beyond them Scarista and the mountains of North Harris...
Zooming in
We follow a sandy path through the grazing land
Approaching the beach...
We arrive at Traigh na Cleabhaig, one of the pristine Northton beaches...
Uninhabited Pabbay in the distance, one of the Barra Isles on the southern edge of the Outer Hebrides
A closer view of Pabbay
We walk to the end of the beach and then follow a path over a small headland...
Snow bunting
Lapwing
Rubh' an Tempaill, or Northton Temple, comes into view in the distance
We continue over the headland
Rubh' an Tempaill
The small medieval chapel is believed to have been built in the 15th or 16th century
Oystercatchers on the beach
We arrive at Rubh' an Tempaill, the far point of our walk
Gazing out to the Barra Isles
Looking further along the coastline
We retrace our steps back to the start
Near the end of the walk we pass through a herd of highland cattle. Despite their large horns these are gentle creatures
The end of a wonderful short walk, with time for another one in the afternoon - see my next post
