Handa Island

Handa Island Review

Just off the coast of Scourie is Handa Island, a bird sanctuary that shelters huge seabird colonies, especially impressive at nesting time in spring and early summer. Visitors can gaze on more than 200,000 birds nesting on spectacular cliffs, including guillemots, razorbills, great skuas, kittiwakes, and even the odd puffin from the towering sandstone vantage point of Stack an Seabhaig (Hawk's Stack). This remarkable reserve, administered by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is open only in spring and summer. It can be reached by a small open boat from Tarbet; contact the tourist information center in Lochinver or Durness for details. Sturdy boots, a waterproof jacket, and a degree of fitness are needed to walk the path around the island.