Neist Point- Isle of Skye

Neist Point is one of the popular visitor locations on the Isle of Skye. Not only because it is the most western part of the island but also due to the impressive headland cliffs and the lighthouse.

On Location: 18th April 2024

Parking: There are roadside parking spaces at the very end of the road after the small crofting hamlet of Waterstein which is on the Duirinish Peninsular. GR: NG 1327 4779 or What Three Words ///schools.workbook.perch At the time of our visit parking was free. Space are limited and the car park can get busy.

Refreshments: There is a small cabin at the car park which “apparently” does serve a limited range of drinks etc. However, I have been unable to confirm if and when it is actually open. So go prepared as the nearest shop or café to here is back along the road at Glendale, Café Lephin Be aware that there are no toilet facilities here at Neist Point.

The Route to the Lighthouse: From the car park to the lighthouse complex is not far and it is a “there and back” route on a good concrete footpath. There are a couple of steep sections along the way. Click on the map below for the route. GPX and other formats are available by clicking on the Plotaroute link.

As we headed towards Neist Point we actually took a little diversion after Glendale to have a look at the crofting settlement of Lower Milovaig. Not much to see in the village but it does provide a fine view of the cliffs of Biod An Athair.

Today a blanket of low cloud shrouded the cliff tops but as they rise to about 313m they are still an impressive sight. On towards Neist Point.

At the road end after Waterstein there are marked laybys on either side of the road. It wasn’t too bad today but sometimes it gets rather busy. We parked up and walked along the road to the hut in the distance.

Just past the hut (which apparently is a small shop, not open on our visit) is this rusty machine which is well past it’s working life. It was used to run the aerial ropeway to transport goods and supplies down towards the lighthouse. The lighthouse is hidden behind the headland at this point.

Descending the steep concrete path in the direction of the headland.

At the bottom of the slope is the running gear and old cage of the aerial ropeway.

We walked on and took a look at the sea cliff of An t-Aigeach which rises vertically from the sea to 95m.

It was spring so seabirds were nesting on these small ledges of the cliff.

The footpath took us round to the right of the headland and then the lighthouse came in to sight.

We continued along the well made path.

Away over to our left is the distinctive promontory of Waterstein Head, the second highest sea cliff on Skye.

Looking back at the cliff of An t-Aigeach.

Perched on the cliff edge is the lighthouse of Neist Point.

Designed by David Stevenson the lighthouse first came into operation in November 1909 at a cost of over £4,000. It was manned until 1990 when it was automated.

The fog horn at the lighthouse.

We continued our route past the lighthouse to the rocky coast, a great place to watch our for passing wildlife including birds, dolphins and the occasional whale.

Continuing around the headland we visited the old jetty. Built to land building materials and stores the crane is now just a rusting sculpture.

Walking back in the direction of the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself is still maintained by the Lighthouse Board whereas the other buildings are privately owned and look fairly run down. Apparently at one time they were rented out as holiday cottages but I don’t think this is the case anymore.

We retraced out outward route back to the car park on the footpath.

The steps on the final ascent to the car park are welcome, as is the hand rail.

Back at the car park we headed north along the cliff edge along a muddy track, this will take us to the best view of the headland of Neist Point.

This is the iconic viewpoint of Neist Point.

There is no denying that it is a fantastic location even though the light wasn’t brilliant on our visit.

The clouds were coming in from the west over the Outer Hebrides, there was a faint change that the light would improve.

For a few minutes I took shelter in the old lookout post, a relic from the last war.

For a few brief seconds the light improved. Right on the cliff edge a ewe had just given birth to a lamb. Welcome to the world.

The light wasn’t brilliant, just enough to give Neist Point a hint of colour at the end of the day.

Even though on our visit we were not blessed with the best weather it was still an enjoyable visit to this popular location. Of course we filmed our visit so you can check out our video on You Tube.

If you have been to Neist Point then why not let me know by leaving a comment. Perhaps you were even lucky enough to find the little shop open?

Thanks for reading.

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