📌 Island & nature reserve near Tarbet, Highland
★★★★
About a mile wide and slightly more in length, Handa Island has an illustrious history for an island of its small stature in such a seemingly remote location. With its own parliament and even its own Queen (the oldest surviving widow), the 1848 potato famine spelled the end for island life here. Since then, seabirds have ruled the roost and are the main reason for visiting today. 200,000 seabirds reside here between approximately April and July, spread across over 150 species and including 100,000 guillemots and (from around the middle of May onwards) decent numbers of puffins. Once the Handa Ferry – a minor adventure in itself – deposits you at the southwest corner of the island, you’re free to explore the paths in either direction – they form a rough circuit over much of the island. Most of the puffins nest on a stack off the northern side of the island, visible from the main path – take binoculars! But even without the puffins there’s plenty to enjoy, including the spectacular coastal scenery and all the other birds. Spend a little time exploring the idyllic seaside hamlet of Tarbet on the mainland too.
🌍 Location
📌 Island off the west coast near Tarbet, Highland. See below for ferry departure point at Tarbet. On Handa Island, visitor “hub” / shelter is at:
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NC 145475
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 58.376398,-5.173618
❌ Ferry from Tarbet pier, 🧭 NC 164489 / 🛰️ 58.389529,-5.143209 – but no onward public transport connection
🚗 Car park at Tarbet, then take the ferry
📝 Key info
⌚ Island is always “open” but ferry runs Monday to Saturday, early April to early September
🎫 Island is free. Ferry: £20 adult / £10 child
🔗 Handa Ferry: handa-ferry.com
