Handa Island
A Scottish Wildlife Trust seabird reserve near Scourie, reached by pedestrian ferry from Tarbet in the visitor season, with puffins from mid-May to July.
Handa Island is a Scottish Wildlife Trust nature reserve off the coast near Scourie, reached by a short pedestrian ferry from Tarbet.
Cliffs of Torridonian sandstone rise from the Atlantic on its north-west side, and the island is an internationally important breeding site for guillemots, razorbills and great skuas, with puffins from mid-May to July. It is about a mile by a mile and a half, and it rises over 400 feet above the sea.
When you land, a volunteer meets you with a short introductory talk. The terrain can be challenging, so wear stout footwear with good grip, and bring warm waterproofs even in midsummer, as the crossing can be very wet. Dogs are not allowed on the island or the ferry. The ferry runs in the visitor season, from early April to late August or early September, Monday to Saturday, and the last crossing to the island is at 1.30pm, so aim to arrive early.
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The ferry runs Monday to Saturday during the season and takes cash only.
You cannot pre-book a time, so it goes when the weather and the numbers allow.
- Getting there
- The Tarbet turn-off is on the A894 about three miles north of Scourie and three miles south of Laxford Bridge, then three miles to the jetty.
- Open
- The visitor season runs from early April to late August or early September. The ferry runs Monday to Saturday, with the last crossing to the island at 1.30pm, and at the operator's discretion in bad weather.
- Price
- The ferry costs £25 for adults and £10 for children under 14; under-5s travel free, and cards are not taken.
- Booking
- No booking of a time; crossings depend on the weather and on how many people arrive.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on the island, which has many ground-nesting birds, or on the ferry.
- Access
- The terrain can be challenging, with stout footwear needed. Weather changes quickly, and the crossing can be very wet.
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Add your reviewOff the coast near Scourie, reached from Tarbet, signposted from the A894 about three miles north of Scourie.
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Places to stay near the island, and when each is next free.
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For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- Handa IslandThe reserve: how to get there, what to look for and when.scottishwildlifetrust.org.ukScottish Wildlife Trust↗
- Handa FerryFares, crossing times and the ferry's questions answered.handa-ferry.comOfficial↗
- Bonxies and boardwalks: a visit to HandaA visit to the island, from the Trust.scottishwildlifetrust.org.ukScottish Wildlife Trust↗