Top beaches in the Hebrides
There are superb sandy beaches at Port of Ness, Bosta, Coll, Traigh na Berie & Uig Sands Lewis where the famous Isle of Lewis Chess Set was found.
Port of Ness is on the north-east of Lewis in the Western Isles. The port itself has its harbour entrance between a cliff face and a rocky islet. In the surrounding landscape are both the traditional thatched black houses and 'white houses' which were introduced in the middle of the 19th century and were so called because they were coated in white lime wash.
Bosta Beach is made from sparkling white shell sand. This is a popular beach, with a much eroded machair and scenic views of the cliff bound islands of Outer Loch Roag, notably Little Bernera, Flodday, Bearsay, the Old Hill and Campay.
Traigh na Berie, on the north-east side of the Valtos peninsula, is a wide 1.5 km-long sand beach extending in a long smooth curve between the rocky headlands of Sron a'Chnip to the west and Stung to the east. Both headlands and the surrounding terrain are composed of resistant Lewisian gneiss the oldest rock in the UK and date back to around 3000 million years ago.
Coll beaches with over 20 beaches you are spolit for fantastic walks and scenery. Claid Beach (on the opposite side of the Island from Arinagour) offers a great walk, where you might just see a seal or otter, and on a clear day you will able to see the outer isles.
Uig Sands the landscape here is hillier, and more dramatic than elsewhere on Lewis with its combination of myriad islets, wild cliff scenery and patches of pristine golden sand. At the crossroads to Miabhaig (Miavaig), you have a choice of either heading straight for the Uig Sands, or heading along a dramatic little road northeast to Cliobh (Cliff). The Atlantic breakers that roll onto the beach below the village are often spectacular, but make it unsafe for swimmers, who should continue another mile to Cnìp (Kneep), to the southeast of which is Tràigh na Beirghe, a glorious strand of shell sand, backed by dunes and machair. Great for artists, photographers and visitors.
