North Harris Eagle Observatory – Golden Eagles in the Glen
About 3.2 miles on foot.
In the mountains of North Harris, a good track leads up Gleann Mhiabhaig to a timber hide with a turf roof, looking onto the crags where golden eagles nest.
White-tailed eagles are seen in the glen too, and red deer graze the slopes all around. It's an easy walk into wild country.
- Time
- About two and a half hours, with an hour of walking.
- The path
- A 1.6-mile track up the glen, about 30 minutes each way.
- Where to start
- The North Harris Trust's car park at Miabhag nam Beann on the road to Hùisinis; overnight parking is allowed.
- Set off
- In daylight.
- When to go
- All year: golden eagles live here in every month; white-tailed eagles most often in winter.
- Children
- An easy track; the hide is a quiet place.
The walk
The car park is on the single-track road to Hùisinis at Miabhag nam Beann, about 4 miles west of the A859, which you leave just north of Ardhasaig. From the car park a track leads up Gleann Mhiabhaig to the observatory, 1.6 miles away, about 30 minutes' walk each way. The hide is a timber hut with a turf roof and windows facing the golden eagles' nesting crags, with boards inside on what to look for.
Golden eagles live here all year, and white-tailed eagles come into the glen most often in winter. Neither is promised, so bring binoculars and give it time. In summer look for merlins, golden plovers, greenshanks and wheatears, and in October the red deer stags roar across the hills in the rut.
Keep to the track: the glen is open hill ground with no shelter, so go in daylight and dress for the weather.
If it rains
The hide gives shelter once you're there, but the 30-minute walk each way is open hill ground. In heavy rain or low cloud the crags vanish: keep it for a clearer day.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
The nearest of ours is Harris Hideaway, 2 miles away. Sleeps 2; next free Mon 16 Nov to Wed 18 Nov.
