THE LOOKOUT, SKYE Panoramic views from the northern tip of Skye (2007) SIZE Small; 2 rooms, including dormitory with bunk-bed sleeping 3 LOCATION LAT/LONG 57.7013, -6.3444, NM 413 763, 82m, LR Map 23
T
he stunning 180-degree view
possible. The work was dedicated to
the cliffs to walk round the point, but
from the bay window at The
the memory of David JJ Brown, an MBA
you do need to watch your footing.
Lookout certainly gives the
stalwart, and a plaque in the bothy
bothy its wow factor. This former
describes him as an ‘anti-materialist
coastguard watch station, positioned
and wilderness lover’.
precariously close to the cliff top above
ROUTE 1 From the car park, marked by an old red telephone box, take the path signposted to Rubha Hunish, which
Rubha Hunish, offers a panorama
From the entrance lobby, there is
encompassing the entire Western Isles,
an open dormitory to the L, a galley
and on a clear day, the profile of the
kitchen facing you, and to the R, the
mainland all the way to Cape Wrath.
communal area with the impressive
The bothy is also a fantastic spot for
bay window. There is some seating, a
whale and dolphin watching: schools
coffee table and a small blocked-up
of migrating minkes pass through the
fireplace in one corner. An old-style
Minch in the autumn, and various other
telephone hangs on the wall, along
sightings are recorded in the log book.
with an information board and a poster
The watch room was built in 1928 and
identifying different whales, dolphins
the station operated until the 1970s
and porpoises. The only drawback is
when advances in radio technology
the ½ mile walk to the nearest stream,
superseded the need for a duty officer.
which can run dry. The best option
The building was then adopted as an
is to visit the Trotternish Art Gallery,
open shelter, but a violent storm in
Solitote (NG 428 742) where the bothy’s
January 2005 smashed the W-facing
MO Bill Lawrence and wife Susie will fill
windows, damaging the interior and
water bottles and chat, especially if you
leaving its long-term future in doubt.
purchase one of their beautiful prints.
The MBA took on the renovation with
Although The Lookout is very close
support from the local community
to civilisation, Rubha Hunish is still a
TERRAIN Easy, path all the way
around Kilmaluag, following the design
wild and exposed spot. It is well worth
of the original structure as closely as
heading down the steep descent under
PARKING Car park just after Shulista turn-off (NG 422 723)
rises gently up the slope and along a low escarpment. Below is the outline of the abandoned crofting community of Erisco and, further off, the cliffedge ruins of Duntulm Castle. Once through a kissing gate, where you see the small water-supply stream, head straight up to the cliff edge. Ignore the path that leads down a steep slope in a gap between the crags, and continue along the cliff top. The bothy comes quickly into view and it is only now, when the view opens up dramatically, that you realise the building’s original purpose. DISTANCE 1½ miles TIME 30 to 40 minutes
Islands 293