Butt of Lewis

Holding a Guinness World Record for the windiest place in the UK is the Butt of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. This is not only the most northerly point on the Isle of Lewis, it’s also about as far north as you can go in the Western Isles. The rocks and cliffs on the Butt of Lewis are some of the oldest in Europe, having been formed in the Precambrian Period 3,000 million years ago. They rise in height to between 18.2 m and 24.3 m (60 and 80 ft).

Climate

Very exposed to the elements, this headland frequently experiences storms and surges from the Atlantic Ocean.

Activities

Walking is a popular activity in the area. Walkers hiking the 6.2 km (3.8 mi) Butt of Lewis Circuit will see some wonderful cliff top scenery, with the opportunity to spot some interesting bird species. Other interesting features include a red brick, unpainted lighthouse built in the 1860s. All materials had to be shipped in because of poor access to the area at the time and while constructing the lighthouse, a ship carrying materials for the project was wrecked on the rocks as it tried to dock at Port Stroth. The Port is an inlet 365 m (1,197.5 ft) from the lighthouse that features a sandy beach, but is no longer used for docking ships.

While Lewis has a vast number of lochs, making it ideal for fishing, more experienced local anglers choose to fish off the Butt of Lewis, which has produced some record catches of Pollack.