mountain years: huisinis to crabhadail, harris

track runs high on this face

The area to the north of Huisinis is beautiful and remote and having endured the fourteen miles or so of twisty narrow single track switchback road to get their it is worth that extra two or three hours on foot exploring the area. The track linking Huisinis to Crabhadail is steep and clings precariously to the west side of a headland. At the high point of the path the views over to Scarp and north to the south end of Lewis are awesome.


from high point on track looking north to lewis - scarp on left - traigh mheilein in right middle distance

traigh mheilein

common sandpipers on traigh mheilein

Huisinis is famous for the first attempt at 'rocket mail' in the UK. A German by the name Gerhardt Zucher tried to persuade the British Government that mail and medical supplies could be transported to remote islands by rocket. On Saturday 28 July 1934 he sent nearly 5000 letters in a rocket from the island of Scarp to Huisinis. The rocket exploded and its contents fluttered all over the beach. The Government seemed not convinced. Perhaps the V1 and V2 rockets had them more convinced a few years later. That is another story.


looking back to scarp on right and huisinis on horizon

crabhadail across loch na cleabhaig

Crabhadail across loch na cleabhaig on the Lewis / Harris border. It lies to the north of the remote hamlet of Huisinis. A walk of some 45 to 60 minutes. It seems the last shepherd who stayed in this lonely, abandoned spot, was in the habit of taking that lonely hour's walk most evenings to partake of a beer and company in Huisinis, returning in the dark around midnight each night. No street lights here. The walk is by a precarious path that clings to the steep flank of the hill to the right of the cottage as viewed. (see also first photograph) Bugger, I forgot to get a loaf.

loch na cleabhaig at crabhadail

I did not travel in the dark. I did spend a peaceful two hours exploring the peninsula and snapping photographs on a sunny if breezy afternoon. The next few photographs, in no particular order attest to that lovely day. I hope you enjoy them, I certainly enjoyed being there and taking them.