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Home> Walks> Scotland> Highland> Waterstein Head

Waterstein Head

Recommended by
Our view
"Through crofting country and peat moors to a 1,000ft (305m) sea cliff."
Walk directions

From the end of the tarmac, the road continues as a track, with a bridge over the Ramasaig Burn. After a gate it reaches a shed with a tin roof. Turn right and follow the left bank of Ramasaig Burn to the shore.

Cross the burn at a ford and head up a very steep meadow beside the fence that protects the cliff edge. There's a rather awkward fence to cross half-way up. At the top, above Ramasaig Cliff, keep following the fence on the left. It cuts across to the right to protect a notch in the cliff edge. From here, you could cut down to the parking areas at the nearby road pass.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Grassy clifftops and moorland, 2 fences and 1 gate to climb over
  Landscape  - Cliff tops high above Atlantic Ocean
  Dog friendliness  - On short lead - risk of scaring sheep over cliff edges
  Parking  - Ramasaig road end or pull-ins at pass 0.75 miles (1.2km) north
  Toilets en route  - Glendale village hall
Walks in Highland
About the walk
After the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie's uprising in 1746, the clan system was swept away. But the clansmen were still there, transformed into crofters. Elsewhere, such subsistence smallholders go by the honourable name of 'peasant farmers', with 25 acres (10ha), a kailyard, a cow and some sheep...
Read more
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Walking in Safety

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About the area
Apart from the Orkneys and the Shetlands, Highland is Scotland’s northernmost county. Probably its most famous feature is the mysterious and evocative Loch Ness, allegedly home to an ancient monster that has embedded itself in the world’s modern mythology, and the region’s tourist industry.
Explore Highland
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Restaurant with Rooms
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
★★★★★
awardawardawardaward
"Worth the trip to experience this impressive restaurant with rooms...."
  • Rooms 6
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Bed & Breakfast
Roskhill House
★★★★
awardawardawardaward
"A perfect place to stay on Skye...."
Restaurant with Rooms
Edinbane Lodge
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A rural retreat offering true Scottish hospitality...."
  • Rooms 6
  • Satellite TV
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
Nearby places to stay
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
A visit to The Three Chimneys will make a trip to Skye even more memorable. The stunning food is the result of a deft approach using quality local ingredients, with lasting relationship...
★★★★★    Rating
Roskhill House
Roskhill House is a charming cottage set in the west of Skye. The welcome is warm and genuine with every effort made to ensure a relaxed and rewarding stay. Bedrooms are modern in appea...
★★★★    Rating
Edinbane Lodge
Edinbane Lodge is a renovated 16th-century house designed to provide a luxurious and comfortable stay. The 6 rooms have been individually decorated with sumptuous woods, fabrics, textur...
★★★★★    Rating
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
Once a home of the Clan McDonald Chief and as a place of sanctuary for Bonnie Prince Charlie, Monkstadt 1745 has since been lovingly restored and turned into a charming restaurant with ...
★★★★★    Rating
Grianaig Guest House
Translating to "Sunny Place", Grianaig Guest House is a charming place to stay on the southern end of Uist, run by husband-and-wife team, Chris and Carla. There is a great sense of gene...
★★★★★    Rating
Coruisk House
Coruisk House is an intimate restaurant with rooms, set 13 miles down a single track road in the village port of Elgol on the Isle of Skye. This is without doubt a remote part of the co...
★★★★    Rating
Oran na Mara
Oran na Mara offers modern, luxury accommodation for up to 6 guests, with incredible views across Scarista Beach on the Isle of Harris. The curved design sees accommodation all on one l...
★★★★★    Rating
Blue Reef Cottages
Blue Reef Cottages are situated on the island of Harris, with breath-taking views over Harris Golf club to the Atlantic beyond. Taigh Iain and Taigh Seumas each sleep two, with ample sp...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
   AA Rosette Award
Loch Bay Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Edinbane Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
   AA Rosette Award
Loch Bay Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Edinbane Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Coruisk House
   AA Rosette Award
Harris Cuisine Limited
Awaiting inspection
Flavour
Awaiting inspection
View all
Route details
3hrs 30min
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Challenging


Distance:
5.75 miles (9.2kms)

Ascent:
1500ft (457m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Highland
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
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Waterstein Head

Recommended by
Our view
"Through crofting country and peat moors to a 1,000ft (305m) sea cliff."
Walk details
3hrs 30min
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Challenging
Distance:
5.75 miles (9.2kms)
Ascent:
1500ft (457m)
Walk directions

From the end of the tarmac, the road continues as a track, with a bridge over the Ramasaig Burn. After a gate it reaches a shed with a tin roof. Turn right and follow the left bank of Ramasaig Burn to the shore.
1 of 5

Cross the burn at a ford and head up a very steep meadow beside the fence that protects the cliff edge. There's a rather awkward fence to cross half-way up. At the top, above Ramasaig Cliff, keep following the fence on the left. It cuts across to the right to protect a notch in the cliff edge. From here, you could cut down to the parking areas at the nearby road pass.
2 of 5

Keep downhill along the cliffside fence. At the bottom, a turf wall off to the right provides another short-cut back to the road. The clifftop walk now bears slightly right around the V-notch of the Moonen Burn. A small path crosses the stream and slants up left alongside the clifftop fence, which soon turns slightly inland around another cliff notch. Cross a side-fence here, and then a stream. The cliff-edge fence leads up and to the left, to reach Waterstein Head. Here there is a trig point, 971ft (296m) above the sea – the second highest cliff on Skye. Below, you will see Neist Point lighthouse.
3 of 5

Return for 0.25 miles (400m) down to where the fence bends to the right, then continue ahead through a shallow grassy col for the slight rise to Beinn Charnach. Here bear right to follow a gently rounded grass ridge-line parallel with the sea cliffs. The highest line along the ridge is the driest. A fence runs across, with a grey gate at its highest point where it passes through a col. Climb over the gate and on up to a cairn on Beinn na Coinnich.
4 of 5

Continue along the slightly rocky plateau for 300yds (274m) to the southeast top. Now the Ramasaig road is visible 0.25 miles (400m) away on the left. Go down to join a quad-bike track heading towards the road. Just before reaching the road, the bike track crosses a swampy col. This shows old and recent peat workings. Turn right, along the road, passing above Loch Eishort to the start.
5 of 5
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Grassy clifftops and moorland, 2 fences and 1 gate to climb over
  Landscape - Cliff tops high above Atlantic Ocean
  Dog friendliness - On short lead - risk of scaring sheep over cliff edges
  Parking - Ramasaig road end or pull-ins at pass 0.75 miles (1.2km) north
  Toilets en route - Glendale village hall
Walks in Highland
About the walk
After the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie's uprising in 1746, the clan system was swept away. But the clansmen were still there, transformed into crofters. Elsewhere, such subsistence smallholders go by the honourable name of 'peasant farmers', with 25 acres (10ha), a kailyard, a cow and some sheep...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Highland
Apart from the Orkneys and the Shetlands, Highland is Scotland’s northernmost county. Probably its most famous feature is the mysterious and evocative Loch Ness, allegedly home to an ancient monster that has embedded itself in the world’s modern mythology, and the region’s tourist industry.
Explore Highland

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Restaurant with Rooms
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
★★★★★
awardawardawardaward
"Worth the trip to experience this impressive restaurant with rooms...."
  • Rooms 6
  • Free TV
  • DVD Player
  • Direct Dial
Bed & Breakfast
Roskhill House
★★★★
awardawardawardaward
"A perfect place to stay on Skye...."
Restaurant with Rooms
Edinbane Lodge
★★★★★
awardawardaward
"A rural retreat offering true Scottish hospitality...."
  • Rooms 6
  • Satellite TV
  • Free TV
  • Direct Dial
Nearby places to stay
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
A visit to The Three Chimneys will make a trip to Skye even more memorable. The stunning food is the result of a deft approach using quality local ingredients, with lasting relationship...
★★★★★    Rating
Roskhill House
Roskhill House is a charming cottage set in the west of Skye. The welcome is warm and genuine with every effort made to ensure a relaxed and rewarding stay. Bedrooms are modern in appea...
★★★★    Rating
Edinbane Lodge
Edinbane Lodge is a renovated 16th-century house designed to provide a luxurious and comfortable stay. The 6 rooms have been individually decorated with sumptuous woods, fabrics, textur...
★★★★★    Rating
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
Once a home of the Clan McDonald Chief and as a place of sanctuary for Bonnie Prince Charlie, Monkstadt 1745 has since been lovingly restored and turned into a charming restaurant with ...
★★★★★    Rating
Grianaig Guest House
Translating to "Sunny Place", Grianaig Guest House is a charming place to stay on the southern end of Uist, run by husband-and-wife team, Chris and Carla. There is a great sense of gene...
★★★★★    Rating
Coruisk House
Coruisk House is an intimate restaurant with rooms, set 13 miles down a single track road in the village port of Elgol on the Isle of Skye. This is without doubt a remote part of the co...
★★★★    Rating
Oran na Mara
Oran na Mara offers modern, luxury accommodation for up to 6 guests, with incredible views across Scarista Beach on the Isle of Harris. The curved design sees accommodation all on one l...
★★★★★    Rating
Blue Reef Cottages
Blue Reef Cottages are situated on the island of Harris, with breath-taking views over Harris Golf club to the Atlantic beyond. Taigh Iain and Taigh Seumas each sleep two, with ample sp...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
   AA Rosette Award
Loch Bay Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Edinbane Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
The Three Chimneys & The House Over-By
   AA Rosette Award
Loch Bay Restaurant
   AA Rosette Award
Edinbane Lodge
   AA Rosette Award
Monkstadt 1745 Restaurant with Rooms
   AA Rosette Award
Coruisk House
   AA Rosette Award
Harris Cuisine Limited
Awaiting inspection
Flavour
Awaiting inspection
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby