Tolsta

North Tolsta is a small village in the north of Isle of Lewis, found at the very end of a 13-mile long road from Stornoway. The place is famed for its two striking sandy beaches, namely Traigh Mhor and Garry Beach.

Traigh Mhor is the big one. The name itself translates into “Big Beach” (it’s actually the same name as that runway beach on Isle of Barra). And rightly so, as it stretches for over 1.4 miles and it’s quite wide too. With its blue water and grassy sand dunes - a typical Hebridean beach recipe - Traigh Mhor is one of the finest beaches on Isle of Lewis. Top 3 for sure.

Parking is available past the village, just off the northern end of Traigh Mhor. Past that and just around the corner, you will find Gary Beach - basically a condensed version of Traigh Mhor, with some interesting rock formations. If you drive a little further, you will cross The Bridge to Nowhere, and - you guessed it - there isn’t anything beyond that. Dead end. If you want to get to Butt of Lewis you have to go back and all the way around. The bridge was erected in 1920 and the plan was to link Tolsta and Ness, but the road was never completed.