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Red and white striped lighthouse on a rocky headland surrounded by sea
Outer Hebrides

Eilean Glas Lighthouse

The first lighthouse in the Hebrides, lit in 1789, a red and white tower on the east coast of Scalpay.

Welcome

Eilean Glas Lighthouse stands on a rocky point on the east coast of Scalpay, the small island joined by a bridge to Harris near Tarbert, and it was the first lighthouse in the Outer Hebrides.

Thomas Smith began it in 1787 and finished it in 1789; the red and white tower and the keepers' houses were added later by the Stevensons, the family of his son-in-law Robert Stevenson. A fine stone wall round it sheltered the crops the keepers grew to feed themselves in so remote a place.

There is no road. The Scalpay Heritage Walk, marked with yellow-topped posts, crosses the island's wet moor and over Beinn Scorabhaig, with views to the Shiant Isles, the empty hills of south-east Lewis, Skye and the mainland, then drops to the lighthouse. Puffins can be seen along the cliff tops in late spring and summer. It was here that the last great auk recorded in Scotland was caught, in 1821. Allow half a day; boots are essential.

A little further outThe Golden RoadThe single-track road of 1897 along the rocky east coast of South Harris, through a string of tiny townships.23 min by roadSee itThe Golden Road winding past small lochs through the grey rock of South Harris, the sea beyond.
Before you go

Cross the bridge to Scalpay and park considerately in the lay-bys by the village; the Heritage Walk, marked by yellow-topped posts, crosses wet moor to the lighthouse.

The full circuit is about 8 miles, moderate, about 4 hours.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert, or from North Uist to Leverburgh.
Walk
Scalpay Heritage Walk, 8 miles, about 4 hours.
Ground
Very wet in places.
Where it is

The east coast of Scalpay, off Harris.

Close byOn Scalpay, by Tarbert.
  1. Essence of Harris, TarbertEssence of Harris, Tarbert8 miles15 min by road
  2. Rows of Harris Tweed cushions fill a shelving wall, running from soft greys through mustard, rose and teal.Harris Tweed Isle of Harris, Tarbert9 miles16 min by road
  3. Seilebost's curve of white sand and turquoise surf below a conical hill, from above.Seilebost Beach, HarrisA white beach on the south side of Luskentyre Bay, looking over the water to Taransay and Ben Luskentyre.19 miles29 min by road
  4. Luskentyre Beach, HarrisLuskentyre Beach, HarrisThe largest and most spectacular of the Harris beaches, a great bay of white sand and turquoise water below the North Harris hills.19 miles29 min by road
Directions
The Golden Road winding past small lochs through the grey rock of South Harris, the sea beyond.AttractionsThe Golden Road14 miles
A curved timber-roofed house glows with lit windows at dusk, chairs set on the gravel and decking outside.Outer HebridesHarris HideawaySleeps 2 · 18 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the lighthouse, and when each is next free.

A curved timber-roofed house glows with lit windows at dusk, chairs set on the gravel and decking outside.Harris Hideaway
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Outer Hebrides
  • 13 miles from Eilean Glas
Free 16–18 NovMonkstadt 1745
  • To stay
  • In Linicro
  • 19 miles from Eilean Glas
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Outer HebridesAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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Find out more

For further reading, before you go.