HANDA ISLAND JULY 2023

Описание: Made two flasks of coffee, scotch eggs, packed the car and left around 9.30am for Handa Island. It is a two-hour drive to the ferry, so I don't understand how we just arrived in time to catch the 12.30pm ferry. No time to take photos of the ferry arriving or pictures of the shore and ferry terminal. On our return I was so busy taking my boots off and changing, aware I was holding everyone up, I forgot.
The walk itself was lovely, plenty of flora and fauna, lots of birds. I managed to get photos of red grouse, bonxies, artic skuas, guillemot, meadow pipet, fulmars and razorbills. Didn't see a puffin, though I was assured that they were there.
The flora we saw bog asphodel, and marsh thistle, a very tall stately thistle.
Plus the dramatic views and vertical cliffs, and the Great Stack of Handa just past puffin bay make this a great walk.
The weather was great, hot and sunny, 25°. Though it was very windy, it was an easterly wind, so quite warm.
The circular track is mostly boardwalk, and climbs to the centre of the island and back to the beach. It was supposed to be a four-mile/6k walk, but I swear it was more. It was hard on my legs and my feet were sore, plus climbing that hill took its toll. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I really must get fit.
Walkhighlands says: "Handa Island is a magical place for a walk. This unmissable and very popular excursion runs from the fine sandy beaches at its southern end to the mighty cliffs and Great Stack at the northern. The island has a fascinating history and is now a nature reserve run by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, protecting its important seabird colonies."
Heading back to the ferry are views of Ben Stack, Quinag and Suilvan, the headland on the right is Meall a'Brodha, where dolphins can be seen, but not by me. they must of gone for their tea.
I saw the rabbit just outside the information hut, maybe he was lost. Got back to the beach just in time to watch the ferry sail away. Thankfully, it wasn't the last.
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