LATEST: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.
Best time to visit:
- May, June and July for breeding seabirds
Visit for:
- Birdwatching
- Archaeology
- Scenery
- Coasts
- Wildflowers
Other Information:
Volunteers
There are two types of volunteering opportunity on Handa:
- Short term volunteers spend either one or two weeks (occasionally three) on the island, and their main duty is to help visitors from the boat using a portable landing “jetty” and invite them to the shelter for a brief introductory talk to provide them with information about the island and its wildlife. There are usually two short term volunteers at a time.
- We also recruit a long term volunteer, an Assistant Ranger, usually for a minimum of 6 weeks (but 8 weeks or more is preferred) to assist the Ranger with a wider range of practical, recording, and monitoring tasks. We aim to appoint the Assistant Ranger near the end of March, with a view to starting sometime in May.
For information on how to apply, please see our Volunteering page: http://www.swt.org.uk/info/volunteer/opportunities/
Download latest leaflet:
Access
- Information
When you arrive on Handa, you will be met by a Ranger, who will give a short introductory talk on Handa, and be available to answer questions. - Directions
There is a pedestrian ferry service to Handa Island which runs from Tarbet on the mainland during the vistor season (from April – September). - Restrictions
The paths on Handa are steep and rough in places, so sturdy footwear is essential. The weather can change quickly on Handa, so be prepared and carry warm clothes. There are currently no public toilet facilities on Handa. We are in the process of fundraising for a composting toilet for visitor use (for more information on this, please ask the Ranger when you visit). There are public toilets at Tarbet.
Visitor information
- Opening Times
The Handa Ferry started running in 2010 on 5 April. For enquiries relating to the ferry, please contact the operators: Roger Tebay (07780 967 800) Paul Murray (07775 625 890) Running times: Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 14:00. The last ferry to the island is at 14:00, and the last return is at 17:00. Please note that the ferry does not operate on Sundays. For reasons of passenger safety and comfort, and space, the ferry does not take dogs. Ferry ticket prices include a donation to SWT - Contact Number 07920 468 572
- Contact Email handaranger@swt.org.uk
- Admissions
Adult: £10
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: 9OS Grid Reference: NC138480
Latitude: 58.38108503
Longitude: -5.18504779
Download the reserve map
Scourie/ Ullapool/ Lochinver (1 miles)
