Walk: Grimsay excavations – reinventing the wheelhouse

📌 Gearradubh, Isle of Grimsay
★★★

One of the most fascinating ancient sites on the Uists is found on the tiny island of Grimsay – and it’s not marked on Ordnance Survey maps. On a hillock overlooking Bàgh nam Feadag is the Western Isles’ best example of an iron age wheelhouse, or roundhouse. These circular buildings had rooms arranged like spokes on a wheel, with the functions of each chamber symbolically designed to mirror the arc of the sun across the sky. This one was uncovered in the early 20th century, but the amateur excavator was a bit keen and reinvented the wheelhouse slightly by rebuilding incomplete sections. Nevertheless, it’s an impressive site, and there’s an unexcavated clone immediately to the north. Getting to both roundhouses involves following the scenic shoreline of Loch Hornaraigh, eventually revealing superb views north towards North Uist and Eaval.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at track entrance by Bàgh Tràight, minor road 0.5 mi east of Gearradubh, Grimsay

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NF 863573

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.496526,-7.237798

🚌 Bus stops at Seana Bhaile turnoff (0.5 mi)

🚗 Space for one or two cars only (don’t block access)

📝 Key info

▶ 2 km / 1 mi | ▲ 40 m | ⌛ 45 min

Features: 💧 Loch Hornaraigh; ⭕ Grimsay wheelhouse ★★★

⬤ Moderate | Very faint, grassy paths; some sections are pathless. All fences have gates.

➡️ Out-and-back walk: start – Loch Hornaraigh outflow – Grimsay wheelhouse – unexcavated wheelhouse immediately to north – western inlet of Bàgh nam Feadag – return by outward route or similar

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Distant seals and an family of eider ducks at Bàgh nam Feadag, sheep and lambs, dragonflies.

Weather: Mostly overcast with fleeting sunny breaks, temperature in mid teens.

July 2019

Grimsay wheelhouse ★★★