Butt of Lewis Lighthouse
Standing on the dramatic northern tip of the Isle of Lewis, Butt of Lewis Lighthouse is one of Scotland’s most striking coastal landmarks. Surrounded by rugged cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves, and some of the wildest scenery in the Outer Hebrides, it marks the northernmost point of Lewis and is renowned as one of the windiest places in the United Kingdom. Built in 1862 and designed by the famous lighthouse engineer David Stevenson, it is unusual among Scottish lighthouses for its unpainted red-brick tower, which rises 37 metres above the rocky headland. The lighthouse has guided ships through these challenging waters for more than 160 years. It remained staffed by lighthouse keepers until 1998, making it one of the last lighthouses in the British Isles to be automated. The tower contains 168 steps leading to the lantern room, although public access to the interior is generally not available today. Visitors come mainly for the spectacular surroundings rather than the building itself. The viewing area around the lighthouse offers incredible panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean, where powerful waves pound the cliffs below.
Lewis and Harris Scotland
The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse stands at the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Western Isles, right at the end of the road through the small settlement of Eoropie. You’ll find it at Butt of Lewis, Eoropie, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0XH, a windswept spot where the land drops away into the Atlantic.It’s a striking red-brick tower built in the 1860s, unpainted and sturdy against the gales that regularly sweep this exposed headland. The lighthouse itself isn’t open to visitors, but you can wander the clifftops around it and take in the views of crashing waves and seabirds.Just a short walk away is the quiet cove of Port Stoth, a sheltered sandy inlet popular for spotting seals. A little further along the coast path brings you to Eoropie Beach, with its soft white sands and dunes. Nearby you’ll also find St Moluag’s Church, a simple twelfth-century building still used for services, and Dùn Èistean, an old sea-stack stronghold once held by the Morrison clan, reached by a footbridge.A short drive south takes you into Port of Ness with its harbour and beach. Further afield on the island, Lews Castle in Stornoway is worth a visit, complete with its museum that tells the story of the Hebrides. The whole area feels remote and open, perfect for a slow wander if the weather plays nice.