Tiumpan Head Lighthouse

Tiumpan Head Lighthouse marks the eastern tip of the Eye Peninsula, close to the village of Shulishader on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. It is a working lighthouse, and the headland around it is regarded as one of the best places in Britain to watch whales and dolphins from dry land. For most visitors the sea is the main draw, rather than the tower itself.

What is the history of the lighthouse?

A light on this headland was discussed in the nineteenth century. An early proposal favoured a different site at Portvoller, and the authorities turned requests down for years. The application was finally approved in 1879, though construction only followed much later. The design is credited to the engineers David Alan and Charles Alexander Stevenson, members of Scotland's celebrated lighthouse-building family. The light was first shown on 1 December 1900.

The station also had a fog signal powered by compressed air. In 1956, during a royal visit to the Hebrides, the young Prince Charles started a new fog siren here. The signal has since been discontinued and the building that housed the equipment has been demolished.

At its busiest the station housed six keepers. It was automated in 1985 and is now monitored remotely from the Northern Lighthouse Board headquarters in Edinburgh. The former keepers' cottages passed into private hands and for years served as a boarding kennels and cattery.

What will you see here?

The wildlife. Volunteers from the Whale and Dolphin Conservation charity rank Tiumpan Head among the top shore-based cetacean sites in the UK. It is one of the few places in the country where Risso's dolphins can be seen from land. Harbour porpoises, common dolphins, white-beaked dolphins and minke whales are also seen regularly. Local observer Janet Marshall, who has led watches here, reports having logged 18 species from these shores.

The lighthouse itself stands on private land, so you view it from outside. The white tower is easy to see from the road and from the walking route.

How do you get there and where do you park?

Drive out onto the Eye Peninsula from Stornoway, the main town on Lewis. The road ends at a small car park beside Loch an t-Siùmpain, roughly 300 metres short of the lighthouse. A car is by far the easiest option. Buses do run, but infrequently, so expect a long wait for the return service.

Is there a walking route?

Yes. A loop of about 2 km starts at the car park and takes around an hour. It is rated easy, but the coastal path is boggy in places and stiles are sometimes missing. The suggested direction is anticlockwise, over the hill of Foitealar and along the east coast. Waterproof footwear is a good idea.

When should you visit?

Sightings depend on weather and sea state: calm water and good visibility improve your chances noticeably. Bring binoculars and a windproof layer, as the headland is rarely still. There are no toilets or cafes on site, so stock up in Stornoway or the villages on the peninsula beforehand.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse? No. It is an operational light and the surrounding land is privately owned, so the tower is seen from outside.

Will I really see whales and dolphins? It is one of the best shore-based spots in Britain. Porpoises, several dolphin species and minke whales are the usual sightings, though weather decides.

How long should I allow? The loop walk takes about an hour. If you want to scan the sea with binoculars, allow two to three hours.

Are there toilets or shops nearby? No. The nearest services are in Stornoway and the settlements on the Eye Peninsula.