5 Beautiful beaches on the Isle of Lewis
The Isle of Lewis located north of the Outer Hebrides is the most northerly of the islands and probably the most rugged and remote. While Harris, the southern end of the island is known for its long sandy beaches with stunning mountain backdrops, Lewis has equally stunning beaches with a more exposed feeling of escape. The beaches on the Isle of Lewis are perfect for long windy walks and each is unique in appearance.
Ardroil Beach
This beach goes under numerous names including Uig Sands or Tràigh Uige. Located in the southwestern corner of Lewis it is a broad expanse of sand that appears to stretch for miles at low tide: rolling hills and colourful machair with huge dunes back the beach. Several small rivers run across the sands to the sea adding to the unique landscape.
This beach is where the famous Lewis chessmen were uncovered in 1831. The medieval chess pieces were made from walrus ivory and sperm whale tooth and were probably made in Trondheim in Norway in the 12th Century. In the main car park, you will find a large wooden sculpture of the chess king found on the beach.
Tràigh Mhòr
Tràigh Mhòr is another long sandy beach in the northeast of the island. Sometimes called Tolsta Beach it has golden sand and is backed by dunes. Stunning cliffs known as Rubha Tholastaidh or Tolsta Head are found at the southern end of the beach. A walk up onto the headland is the best way to watch for passing basking sharks and minke whales. A short distance north of the beach is the Bridge to Nowhere, a failed road project from the 1920s.
Reif Beach
Reif Beach is the perfect beach with a long stretch of white sand backed by marram dunes and colourful machair. At the eastern end of the beach, a headland emerges from the water and is the perfect spot to explore the rock formations and small tidal pools. This beach has a camping area at Tràigh na Beirigh and basic facilities making it a beautiful spot for the night on a road trip around Lewis.
Nearby, over the headland at the west end of Reif Beach is Bhaltos Beach. The village of Bhaltos is community-owned and the beach is sandy with rocky outcrops that feel as if they merge with the village. The beach is dotted with seaweed, beautiful “sand trees” and cattle and sheep bones washed smooth by the sea.
Bosta Beach
Bosta Beach isn’t a true Lewis beach as it is found on the far north of Great Bernera. From the shell sand beach vantage point, there are views across Loch Roag, to the islands of Little Berneray, Flodday, Campay, Bearsay, and Old Hill dot the horizon.
The beach is surrounded by Lewisian Gneiss, a rock with a history dating back 3 billion years. Their hues and the seaweeds clinging to them create a striking contrast against the beach’s pale, shell-strewn sands. Behind an outcrop is the Time and Tide bell that chimes with the movement of the tide.
Beyond the beach lies Bosta’s Iron Age settlement, uncovered by a storm in 1992 and now protected from the elements. While the original structures remain hidden, a reconstruction offers insight into the architectural techniques of the 4th to 8th centuries AD.
Eoropie Beach
This beach is the largest beach in the northwest of Lewis. It is very close to the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse and the village is a welcome place to pause with a cafe and small shop. The beach has the Eoropie Dunes play park nestled in the high dunes and a path that drops down onto the beach. The beach is exposed to the Atlantic and is great for walking and surfing. In the summer months, the machair is beautiful with wildflowers and nesting birds.
Other beaches on Lewis
- Dalbeg Beach
- Shawbost Beach
- Port Stoth
- Ness Beach
