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Golden sand and dark rocks at Dalmore Beach below rugged cliffs.
Outer Hebrides

Dalmore Beach

A sandy surf beach between cliffs on the west coast of Lewis, with sea stacks and an old cemetery above.

Welcome

Dalmore, Tràigh Dhail Mhòr, is a sandy bay on the exposed west coast of Lewis, north of Carloway, facing the north-west with nothing between it and Iceland.

A good stretch of golden sand lies between rugged cliffs, and at its north-eastern end a couple of sea stacks stand off the rocks, a favourite of photographers, best lit in the evenings from April to September.

The Atlantic rollers that crash in here make Dalmore a favourite with surfers, though not a place for novice swimmers: there is no lifeguard. Above the beach is the cemetery of the surrounding townships, which holds eighteen war graves, and beach and cemetery both appear in many of Peter May's Lewis thrillers. Dalmore lies on the West Side Coastal Path, which begins at the Gearrannan blackhouse village and runs on to Shawbost, so it makes a fine walk out and back from Gearrannan. Dogs are allowed on the beach.

A short drive awayGearrannan Blackhouse VillageA village of nine restored thatched blackhouses by the sea at Garenin, lived in until 1974.11 min by roadSee itThe thatched blackhouses of Gearrannan from above, by a small bay under a grey sky.
Before you go

Dalmore is signed from the road north of Carloway.

There is no lifeguard: take care in the water, which takes the full Atlantic swell. Dogs are allowed.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, 2 hours 45 minutes; or from Skye to Harris and drive north.
Lifeguards
None.
Walk
On the West Side Coastal Path from Gearrannan.
Where it is

Dalmore, north of Carloway, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9AD.

Close byNorth of Carloway.
  1. Dun Carloway on its rocky knoll above a loch, the sun behind cloud.Dun Carloway BrochA 2,000-year-old broch tower on a rocky knoll near Carloway, still standing nine metres tall.4 miles8 min by road
  2. The top of the Whalebone Arch, the harpoon hanging from the bones against a blue sky.Whalebone ArchAn arch made of the jawbones of a blue whale that came ashore in 1920, in a garden by the road at Bragar.7 miles12 min by road
  3. Roadside honesty stall selling Hebridean Copper Kettle Fudge, baking and fresh eggs, Isle of LewisHebridean Copper Kettle FudgeA roadside honesty box at Breasclete on Lewis selling fudge made in a copper kettle, along with home baking and eggs.8 miles14 min by road
  4. Alpacas in coloured coats stand on a grassy hillsideCallanish Alpacas10 miles16 min by road
  5. Callanish StonesCallanish StonesA cross-shaped setting of standing stones on a ridge above Loch Roag, raised 5,000 years ago, before Stonehenge.10 miles18 min by road
Directions
The thatched blackhouses of Gearrannan from above, by a small bay under a grey sky.AttractionsGearrannan Blackhouse Village1.4 miles over the water
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