📌 Tolsta, Isle of Lewis
★★★
This circuit explores the coastline around the dead-end village of Tolsta on Lewis’s east coast, taking in lofty cliffs either side of Tolsta Head and an array of sea stacks on which seabirds nest in spring and summer. Eventually the superb and extensive beach of Tràigh Mhòr is revealed, stretching away far below the cliffs you’re standing on; traverse almost the full length of the beach before returning to the start via a quiet road. The first part of the coast path is very boggy indeed; waterproof footwear and long-jumping skills required to cross some of the wet sections!
📷 Chronological photo guide
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish on B895 at North Tolsta, Isle of Lewis
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NB 538475
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.346434,-6.209285
🚌 Bus to North Tolsta
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
▶ 10 km / 6 mi | ▲ 230 m | ⌛ 3-3.5 hr
Features: 🌊 Tolsta Head; 🌊 Heisgeir stacks; 🏖️ Traigh Mhor (Tolsta) ★★★★
⬤ Moderate | Grassy, often boggy paths for coastal sections – punctuated by wet runnels to jump across. Quiet tarmac roads for inland parts.
Download file for GPS➡️ Anticlockwise circuit: start & North Tolsta – Cnoc a’ Rùnaire – Tolsta Head by south side of headland – Heisgeir stacks – Tràigh Mhòr – New Tolsta – start
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Sheep & lambs, geese, skuas, shags, gulls with chicks, fulmars, rock doves, nesting razorbills & kittiwakes on Heisgeir stacks. Skylarks, meadow pipits, starlings, sparrows including a leucistic one. A single seal.
Weather: Overcast for much of the walk, with a sunnier period around Tràigh Mhòr. 10°C.
June 2025
