Neist Point - the most westerly headland on Skye - is an iconic destination, with stunning cliff scenery, a fine lighthouse, an outlook to the Outer Hebrides, and the chance to watch for minke whales in the summer months.
Bog Factor
Excellent concrete path with steps, unfenced cliffs, care needed away from paths
End of minor road signed to Neist Point.
None to start. Nearest bus Glendale 5 km away.
NG132478
Park at the end of the road. There is enough space for a number of cars. The parking can be congested in the summer months, but new spaces created alongside the road are a great help. Begin by following the path through the gate, which if locked can be easily walked round. The only actual private area is that fenced around the lighthouse and cottages - the rest is the common grazings for Waterstein township. Almost immediately turn left on the path, which then swings right to ease the descent to the headland far below. There is a metal handrail for most of the descent.
There is an aerial ropeway which is used to take supplies out to the lighthouse and cottages at the Point. Continue along the now level path. Several scenes in Lars Von Trier's film Breaking the Waves were shot here. It is possible to detour to the right to visit the edge of the cliffs, overlooking the great prow of An t-Aigeach (meaning the Stallion's Head), the dramatic upstanding crag half way out on the headland. The crag is the site of some of Skye's hardest rockclimbs. To the left are great views to the impressive cliffs of Waterstein Head and the Hoe, the second highest on Skye.
At the highest point of the constructed path, a grassy path heads off to the right - this is an optional detour to the top of An t-Aigeach. If you decide to visit the top take great care near the cliff edge, and retrace your steps back to the main path. As the corner is rounded the lighthouse comes into view for the first time.
Continue along the path towards the lighthouse and the former keepers' cottages (once run as accommodation but now closed down). The complex was built in 1909 at a cost of £4,350 - the engineer being David A Stevenson of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse builders. From the path junction, you can turn left along a made path to reach the crane and crane which was once used to bring in supplies. It is also worth detouring across rougher pathless ground beyond the lighthouse complex to reach the furthest point. Look out for breaching fins and blows in the sea - this is one of the best places for whales and dolphins on Skye.
The return route is back the same way. It is worth detouring to the left from the path before it heads round An t-Aigeach to visit the cliff edge; from here you can watch seabirds in season but take care as the edge is, of course, unprotected.
For the classic view of the lighthouse beyond the cliffs, you can head on a boggy path northwest from the car park for a short distance (this is the start of the Neist and Milovaig clifftop walk). This must rank as one of the best places imaginable from which to watch the sunset.
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