Hebridean Way Walking Route Section A: Vatersay to Northbay (Barra) The Hebridean Way starts in spectacular surroundings at the beaches of Vatersay before heading north for a memorable day's hiking over the hills of Barra. Sensational sea views all the way! WP1 The Hebridean Way starts outside Vatersay village hall - a fittingly beautiful start to a wonderful walk. Make sure you visit Vatersay's two spectacular beaches, one either side of the hall, before setting out along the road towards Castlebay. Dot Waypoints WP2 Just below the road is a memorial and the remains of a Catalina flying boat that crashed on the hillside above here in 1944. Dot Waypoints WP3 Continue along the pleasant single track road until you come to the Vatersay causeway. Built in 1991, this vital link with Barra is widely credited with saving Vatersay - without it there is a good chance the island would have been abandoned. Dot Waypoints WP4 A few hundred metres after the causeway the path leaves the road and heads left up the hillside. Dot Waypoints WP5 Take your time on the climb and remember to keep looking back. The views to Vatersay and the uninhabited Bishop's Isles to the south are superb. Dot Waypoints WP6 There is no path but wooden waymarker posts show the way over Beinn Tangabhal. Dot Waypoints WP7 Before crossing the stile make a short detour down to the shore to see the remains of Dun Bàn, an iron age fort set in a spectacular location on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Atlantic. Dot Waypoints WP8 Continue along the coast, following the waymarkers as they lead you past some fine rocky scenery, to the beautiful beach at Halaman Bay. Dot Waypoints WP9 On reaching the road turn left and walk past the attractive Isle of Barra Beach Hotel. Dot Waypoints WP10 Turn right at Craigston and continue past a school and church. Dot Waypoints WP11 At the end of the tarmac road continue along the good track that lies ahead. Dot Waypoints WP12 A good path follows on from the end of the track. Dot Waypoints WP13 As the path climbs up the hillside the views behind you improve with every stride. Dot Waypoints WP14 The path ends at a gate. Go through this then cross a stile and turn right up the hillside. Wooden marker posts show the way through the overgrown heather. Dot Waypoints WP15 Follow the posts away from the old fence. Dot Waypoints WP16 Turn left along a grassy track that takes you along the shores of the beautiful Loch an Dùin. Dot Waypoints WP17 On reaching the main road turn right. Dot Waypoints WP18 The Hebridean Way turns left here onto a small track that leads to a water works. However, if you are staying the night in Northbay, keep straight on along the road and you will reach the village in under a mile. There is fair amount of places stay within a 5 mile radius of this point, with a hotel around a mile away. Dot Waypoints