After this morning’s walk to the North Harris Eagle Observatory, there remained time for another short walk in the afternoon. We could think of no better location than Traigh Seilebost (Sheileboist in Gaelic), a beautiful beach at the western edge of Luskentyre, and which is only five minute’s away from our rented cottage at Blue Reef
There’s a good parking space by the village school in Seilebost and from here we strolled across the machair to the nearby sand dunes. Within a few minutes we arrived on the pristine white sands of Traigh Seilebost, with wonderful views across to Luskentyre and the mountains of North Harris. We headed along the beach in the direction of Luskentyre village, but the tide dictated that we couldn’t go much further, so we retraced our steps for a while and then diverted to the southern end of Traigh Seilebost. On reaching a small bay we turned back and made our way back to the car park to end a wonderful short walk during the course of which we’d seen numerous oystercatchers and no humans
NOTE: the route shown is only a rough guide and will vary according to the tide times. At high tide some of the route will be impassable and at low tide it could be extended. Don’t be tempted to stray too far out onto the sands as there is a risk of being stranded
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
Just before the start of the walk we stopped the car in a layby from where there is a wonderful view of Traigh Seilebost looking towards Luskentyre and the mountains of North Harris
Panorama from the same spot (click for a larger view)...
The start of the walk as we cross the machair. Machair is a unique habitat and, though it may be hard to imagine, this area will be full of wildflowers and rare wildlife in the summer months
We cross over the sand dunes before the beach
Traigh Seilebost, looking towards Luskentyre
Traigh Losgaintir (Luskentyre beach) on our right, the tide is covering the sands
Looking back to Beinn Dhubh
Views of Luskentyre...
Taransay. The sands may look tempting, but it's dangerous to wander too far out due to the risks of quicksand and a fast incoming tide
Crystal clear aquamarine sea looking across to Luskentyre
Taransay again
The mountains of North Harris
Looking back along the sand dunes which line the beach
Sea, sand and mountains
At the end of Traigh Seilebost we come across a 'parcel' or 'stew' of oystercatchers
The birds fly off to a nearby strand giving me some good photo opportunities as we start the return section of the walk....
Looking across to Luskentyre...
We walk across to the dunes at the edge of the beach
We climb up to the dunes
A final view over Traigh Seilebost as we make our way back to the nearby car park