Point
Click on the map to enlarge.
The Eye Peninsula
Failte Gu An Rubha
How to Get to Point
Point is easy to get to from Stornoway. By car, the A866 will take you straight here, past the airport runway and across the Braighe. Alternatively, a regular bus service (the W5 to Portnaguran or Bayble) can be accessed at Stornoway Bus Station.
Ui Church (1)
Aignish Raiders Cairn (2) The cairn was erected in 1995. It is a monument to the farm raiders who were involved in the Aignish Riot of January 9 1888 which was part of the struggle by landless men and women throughout the Highlands and Islands for Land Law Reform. The raiders were aiming to seize Aignish Farm. The Riot Act was read and the Sheriff and Procurator Fiscal called for police, marines and the army to help quell the riot. However, the raiders did not disperse, fighting broke out and many men were arrested and imprisoned. These men were not out to overthrow the government, but rather “they were driven beyond endurance by destitution and oppression”. It took until 1908 for the Farm to be divided into crofts to allow ordinary people to have a small piece of land to feed themselves
Garrabost Mill (3) The Mill was built to process the barley and oats grown by the local crofters. It was originally water powered, but due at times to a shortage of water, a Simplex Oil Engine was installed. This single piston paraffin burning engine may be the only one of its kind still in existence. The grain was dried in the kiln ,and cutting the peats for the fire was a community effort. Crofters came to the Mill just after daybreak.They earned half a crown (12½p) plus breakfast and dinner for a day’s peat cutting. As crofting declined, the Mill was no longer required and ceased production in 1956.
The kiln and stable building beside the Mill are constructed from bricks which were made locally. The Garrabost Brickworks started production in 1847 and made use of plentiful supplies of available boulder clay.
Garrabost Mill is now owned by a Trust, who are working towards opening it to the public as a place of interest to visitors
Shulishader Steps (4) A historic flight of steps from the village of Shulishader to a hidden cove have recently been cleaned and repaired and a handrail has been installed. The Steps enable access to the geodha where for many years fishing boats were pulled on to the shore. There is a footpath from the village to the steps.
Wyre Law (5) The Wyre Law was a British Steam Trawler
built in 1915 and registered in Fleetwood. She ran aground on
the rocks in a storm on 23rd October 1952. It is possible to walk
along from Portnaguran or Flesherin to view, at close quarters,
what is left of the vessel. A road also leads down to the site.
Whale Watching (6) One of the best places to view whales and dolphins is Tiumpan Head. On a calm day you might well see Risso’s dolphins and Minke whales fairly near the cliffs. White-beaked dolphins tend to be out in deeper water and basking sharks might also be seen. Harbour porpoises are very common, but hard to spot because they are smaller. On clear days, you also get stunning views of the mainland mountains of north west Scotland
The Old Shop Bayble (7) This is located in the Old Post Office, Upper Bayble. It sells a range of local crafts, eco products, books and pre-loved stuff as well as providing tea, coffee and homemade baking.
Aros an Rubha (8) Aros an Rubha, Knock, is a converted school, which now provides facilities for locals and visitors. Búth an Rubha is the shop here which sells a wide variety of goods.
Café Roo provides coffee and homemade cakes as well as soup, snacks and meals. There is free parking and toilets, electric vehicle charging points and electric bikes can also be hired. Comann Eachdraidh an Rubha (Point Historical Society), has a display area within the building. It regularly has exhibitions on topics which reflect the history of the local community.
The Beacon Cafe (9) Is open on the last Saturday of each month. It serves snacks, lunches and home baking.
Point Coastal Trail The community of Point has an aspiration to develop a “coastal community path linking together the historical and crofting communities of Point and Sandwick, particularly improving access around the peninsula for walkers and others to better appreciate, use, enjoy and understand the natural environment, flora and fauna of the area and the surrounding marine margins. ” Ceum air Cheum, 2018.
The completed sections are marked as ——– on the map.
