Neist Point is one of our favourite places on the Isle of Skye. Surrounded by breath-taking cliffs, it is truly one of the most stunning locations the island has to offer. The otherworldly sight of this distinctive yellow and white building at Skye’s most westerly tip is worth the hike. And looking out to the west during sunset you will see a spectacular sight as the sky’s colour transforms and the sun dips below the distant outer Hebridean islands of Benbecula and North Uist. Lauren, Belka and I visited every month from May to October and this is our guide to seeing a great Neist Point Lighthouse sunset.
Getting there
Neist Point sits at the most westerly part of Skye, on the Duirinish peninsular, and is not easy to get to. It is at the end of a long, single-track road, and not particularly close to other attractions on Skye. Some forty minute drive from Dunvegan castle and more than an hour from Skye’s capital Portree. So, gear up for a good amount of driving. Many of the single track roads are in poor condition and require careful navigation. As is common when driving in Skye, traversing potholes and negotiating passing places is crucial (see my blog post about driving in Skye for more on that).
Is Neist Point busy?
The benefit of being difficult to reach is that it keeps the less determined tourist away. I visited Neist Point many times during the tourist season and the carpark is usually between 50% and 80% capacity. Many spaces are taken by camper vans with occupants hoping to spend the night. The carpark is usually buzzing with people coming and going but once you park and begin the walk the numbers quickly begin the thin. The further you make it from the carpark, towards the Lighthouse, the fewer people you will see.
The Lighthouse itself is some twenty minutes walk from the carpark, but there are plenty of reasons this might take longer. There are fantastic photo opportunities in all directions, as well as some of Skye’s tamest sheep. It’s worth bearing in mind the distance back to the car park when it comes to watching a sunset though. Once you’ve composed yourself having witnessed Skye’s best sunset, it will be getting dark and you will want to make a quick retreat (or bring a headtorch). Presumably it is for this reason that the Lighthouse and its immediate surrounding area is pretty much empty at sunset. Expect to be able to take uninterrupted photos and selfies to your heart’s content.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset?
There are several great vantage points. Find a place you like and get comfortable. Just try not to get caught out rushing between different viewpoints if you can’t decide on the perfect spot. Here is my list of the best Neist Point Lighthouse sunset viewpoints:
The first peak
This is the easiest spot to reach and requires very little walking. If the arduous car journey has taken you to breaking point, this may be the one for you. Park up and head west towards the square storage unit at the end of the car park. From this point you are near the start point of the walk and will have a decent sunset view. If you have a little more energy, I recommend walking a little way up the grassy hill side and getting spot at the peak (probably with lots of other people).
The first dip
The first dip is what we called the valley that you initially descend into at the beginning of the walk. The walk takes you down some concrete steps and you will typically pass a stream of people on their return journey, gasping for breath and clutching the hand rail.
The bottom of this first stair case, where the terrain levels off, is the first dip. Leave the path and walk over to the cliff edge for a dramatic view out to the west and a sheer drop down to a small beachy area. Find a spot here, lay out the blanket, pour a glass of prosecco and enjoy!
The second peak
Carrying on the path, after you reach the first dip, you will soon start a moderate ascent. The path winds up and around the base of an impressive, sharp, triangular hill. This hill, is the ‘second peak’. The second peak is great as a viewpoint but is very steep and off the main path, so expect a breathless climb. I would suggest this is only worth climbing if you are a confident uphill walker, in good physical shape. It only takes 5-10 minutes to scale and at the summit you will have a small rocky space to sit or stand and admire the spectacular view. From here you can see to the carpark, the first dip, and the lighthouse, with stunning views of the distant islands to the west and the dramatic cliffs to the east.
The second dip
Continuing along the designated path, around the base of the second peak, the breath-taking Neist Point Lighthouse eventually comes into view. The lighthouse is situated on a lower area of land at the tip of the headland and surrounded by water. Following the path down towards the lighthouse takes you through what we call the ‘second dip’. Here, just off the path, directly to the right of the lighthouse is where you will find a great spot to sit and watch the sun go down.
The lighthouse
You can get right up close to Neist Point Lighthouse itself, which is a beautiful yellow and white structure. At more than 100 years old, the lighthouse design evokes a Moroccan style but is a common look for lighthouses in this part of Scotland. At sunset the buildings within the small, gated lighthouse complex are illuminated with fantastic golden low-light and shadow. To the left corner of the lighthouse sits a huge fog horn, no longer in use. Although the lighthouse is fenced all the way around, you can stand very close to the horn, and at this vantage you can also see beyond, to the ocean and the islands in the West where the sun sets.
Beyond the lighthouse
While the footpath comes to an end at the lighthouse this doesn’t mean the exploration has to stop. Beyond the Lighthouse the terrain is relatively walkable descending gently into a grassy area which is covered with hundreds of rock piles (or Cairns). These cairns make for a stunning and surreal photography opportunity, particular at sunset.
Further down, for the adventurous and able bodied walkers, you can step, lunge and leap across the varied rock stack formations which lead the the dramatic waters edge. From the water’s edge, Lauren and I have seen some impressive sights, including Minke Whale, dolphins, porpoise and a wide assortment of sea birds. There are many clear views out to the west, and watching the sunset from the water’s edge is a unique experience.
When should you arrive for a Neist Point Lighthouse sunset?
The Isle of Skye benefits from long daylight hours during the summer, due to its north-westerly position. Visiting Skye in June can mean sunsets as late as 10.30pm and even in early September the sun isn’t down until almost 8.30pm. This means careful planning to see a Neist Point Lighthouse sunset during the main tourist season. If food is a big factor in your day, I recommend bringing a packed dinner with you or make an early reservations at a restaurant. Shidakasha Skye, is a cosy, vegetarian restaurant under twenty minutes drive away from the Neist Point carpark and The Three Chimneys is one of Skye’s most renowned fine dining experiences, a little over twenty minutes from the carpark.
The walk to Neistpoint Lighthouse from the carpark can take as little as twenty minutes but I would allow longer, depending on your fitness. It is also well worth building in time to explore the area and take photos. There are so many stunning views to take in in all directions. And while the sunset is best seen from the west side of the headland, the east side has a lot to offer too, with magnificent cliffs, as well as a disused harbour, old lifting equipment and a small stone beach.
Being in position to watch the sunset some twenty minutes before the designated time is advisable, in order to watch the colours change. So, overall I would recommend arriving at Neist Point Lighthouse carpark between 60 and 90 minutes before the time of the sunset.
Dog-friendliness
Our dog, Belka is always at the front of our minds when exploring. We want to ensure wherever we visit is a fun and safe experience for him as well as for the humans. Neist Point is certainly suitable for dogs; it is a good work out with lots of sniffs and stimulation to tire them out but there are some important considerations:
- Steps. The beginning of the walk has a tall set of steep steps. Dogs need to be on a lead so be your dog will need to walk well, and avoid strong pulling otherwise you or those around you could end up having an unpleasant fall.
- Sheep. As with most places in Skye, sheep tend to be roaming everywhere.
- Cliffs. Neist Point is largely unspoiled and has very few fences or boundary markers. Most of the cliff edges are completely open and accessible
- Staying cool and hydrated. There are no trees, and depending on the position of the sun, very little natural shade. There is also no drinking water source so it is advisable to bring a flask of water for your dog.
- Dog bins. There are no waste bins of any sort so you will need to take it away with you. It is acceptable to bag it up and leave it for your return journey but make sure you remember where you put it!
Final Thoughts
A Neist Point Lighthouse sunset is one of the most memorable experiences we had while living on the Isle of Skye. The challenging car journey is absolutely worthwhile but all the more rewarding if you are willing to do the walk all the way to the Lighthouse itself. I guarantee it will be an experience you will be thinking about for years to come.
Jon
Jon is an adventurer at heart. He has driven 8000 miles across Europe, completed multi-day hikes and swum with sharks. He has had a long and impressive career managing in a training and education business as well as leading transformational change during Covid-19. He has now taken the brave decision to step away from corporate life to pursue his creative ambitions. He is currently editing his first book as well as creating this blog. Together with Lauren, Jon has embarked on many adventures including a winter road trip of Italy, a sleeper train tour for his birthday and kayaking in the Galapagos Islands.