Handa Island

Highlands & Skye

Magnificent sea cliffs, formed from horizontally stratified Torridonian sandstone, rise vertically from the Atlantic in the northwest of Handa Island. Each summer they come alive when nearly 200,000 seabirds, including kittiwakes, arctic skuas and puffins, gather to breed. Guillemots, razorbills and great skuas reach internationally important numbers on the island.

Top Species:

Puffin © Laurie Campbell

Best time to visit:

May, June and July for breeding seabirds

Visit for:

Birdwatching
Archaeology
Scenery
Coasts
Wildflowers

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Access

Information
You will be met by a ranger when the boat lands.
Directions
Small ferry boat operates from Tarbet. The service operates April - early September, Monday - Saturday from 9:30am. Ferry costs
Restrictions
This reserve is reached by open boat and the paths are rough and steep in places. Sturdy footwear is recommended. The ferry runs from Tarbet to Handa Island from April to early September. Last ferry to island is at 2.00 pm and to mainland at 4.30 pm. Crossings are weather dependent. The boat does not operate on Sundays.

Visitor information

Opening Times
Open Mon-Sat: April-early September
Contact Number
07920 468 572
Contact Email
srasmussen@swt.org.uk
Admissions
Adult: £10 for ferry, which includesa donation to SWT
Child: £5
Concessions: N/A
Groups: N/A
Family: N/A
Member: £10

Reserve location

Click on icon for full map & directions

OS Landranger Map: 9
OS Grid Reference: NC138480
Latitude: 58.38108503
Longitude: -5.18504779
Download the reserve map
Scourie/ Ullapool/ Lochinver (1 miles)