Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in partnership with Scourie Estate, the island is a haven for wildlife and a must-visit destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and walkers.

Each spring and summer, around 100,000 seabirds gather on Handa’s cliffs to breed, including guillemots, razorbills, puffins, kittiwakes, fulmars, and great skuas. Visitors can observe these birds at close quarters from well-maintained paths and boardwalks, with puffins most visible from May to July. The island also offers sightings of marine mammals such as seals, dolphins, and even minke whales and basking sharks.

Handa is accessible via a foot ferry from Tarbet pier, located six miles north of Scourie. Once ashore, visitors are greeted by volunteers who provide a short introduction and a map. A 4-mile circular trail leads around the island, passing dramatic cliffs, moorland, and the poignant remains of the original village and graveyard, abandoned in 1847 during the Highland Potato Famine.

With no shops, roads, or permanent residents, Handa offers a rare sense of remoteness and wild beauty—an unforgettable experience on the North Coast 500.

Good to Know

Access: Foot ferry from Tarbet (April to early September); weather-dependent

Ferry Info: Operated independently – check Handa Ferry for times and fares

Admission: Free to visit; ferry charges apply

Wildlife: 100,000 seabirds, including puffins (May–July), skuas, razorbills, and guillemots

Walking Route: 6km (4-mile) circular trail; mostly boardwalk with some rocky sections. Find full route details on WalkHighlands. 

Facilities: No shops or cafés, bring water, snacks, and waterproofs

Restrictions: Dogs not permitted due to ground-nesting birds

Photo Tip: Best puffin views from cliff paths; dramatic coastal shots from the north side