Posts

Scolpaig

30 April 2023 · Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Scolpaig is designated as a National Scenic Area, meaning it is one of the 40 most beautiful areas in Scotland

Scolpaig is described as one of the natural wonders of the Western Isles and one of North Uist’s most spectacular landscapes.

It is an incredible combination of beach, cliff, machair, loch and peat land - some of the most spectacular coastline that I’ve seen anywhere in the world. Atlantic waves crash onshore and have carved all sorts of bays and channels in the cliffs there.

Scolpaig is designated as a National Scenic Area, meaning it is one of the 40 most beautiful areas in Scotland: a designation that is intended to protect the most beautiful landscapes from inappropriate __ development. It’s amazing then that the site is the subject of a planning battle between the local community and a consortium of space companies, supported by the local council, who want to build a launch site there. If you’re interested, you can read more here.

My first walk at Scolpaig was a scouting trip on a very misty day, all photos were taken with the iPhone. Whilst the visibility was not great, the mist added a lot to the atmosphere of the walk, which got better and better with every new feature. I was even lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins in one of the many bays. The sea was pretty rough - although I’m told quite calm compared to the winter storms that hit the coast there.

Here are some videos - a you can see, I got a bit wet making one of them!

and here are some photographs

I went back the next day with my camera equipment and will publish those results at a later date. Amongst many lovely landscapes, I enjoyed a great view across to St Kilda.