Handa Island Paradise

I’m going to let you into a secret. Just off the remote north-west coast of Scotland lies Handa, one of Scotland’s most beautiful islands and a nationally important wildlife reserve. Home to Puffins, rare Bonxies, stunning views of the Assynt mountains and one of Scotland’s best beaches, here’s how to visit the paradise of Handa.

Handa Island paradise – and not just for the puffins!

Once home to a crofting village with its own parliament and ‘island queen’, a famine and an exodus to Canada left Handa Island to just the birds in the 19th century.

Now owned by the Scourie Estate and managed in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Handa is a breeding ground for over 200 pairs of Puffins, Skuas, Kittiwakes and Guillemots – and just a few lucky rangers and volunteers housed in a bothy to protect their island home.

Despite being protected by all manner of wildlife acronyms (Handa is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Protection Area) you can visit the island by crossing the Sound of Handa by boat from the tiny hamlet of Tarbet.

You will be met off the little ferry for an island introduction by a Scottish Wildlife Trust volunteer before you wander off on your own Handa Island tour. Stroll along the island’s boardwalks, spot the different varieties in the 100,000 seabirds on the sea stacks, or just sit and watch the changing light over Suilven and Cul Mor.

It will take you around 2 hours to fully walk around the island’s 4-mile circular boardwalk path, longer if you stop every few seconds to scan the cliffs for puffins.

Don’t just rush to the aptly named ‘Puffin Bay’ as the whole northern edge of the island is made up of towering sea cliffs and stacks, where in May, June and July over 200 pairs of puffins pop by to breed – remember your binoculars, its kinda rude (and dangerous) to get too up close and personal.

In summer, the island’s machair (meadow) is filled with wildflowers. Hidden amongst the grass nest rare Skuas, watch out for the famously bossy Bonxies (step off the path and be prepared to be aerially pestered, just hold up your hands, or a walking pole in the air and move on very quickly) and the giant pirates of the sea, the Arctic Skua, who can be seen battling Golden Eagles (and the much smaller ‘tourist eagle’ varieties) for any available air bound prey.