Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

The basics

Although visitors cannot go inside, the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse makes for striking photographs framed by the steep cliffs and roaring Atlantic Ocean. Information plaques outside provide context to the lighthouse’s history, and visitors can walk along the cliffs heading south from the lighthouse to Eoropie Beach. Along the way, you'll see a natural sea cave called the Eye of the Butt.

The Butt of Lewis is reputedly the windiest place in the British Isles. For this reason, the lighthouse features on the itineraries of many guided tours of Lewis and the Outer Hebrides.

Things to know before you go

• This is a remote location with no nearby facilities. Bring food, water, and anything else you might need for the time you plan to spend here.

• The weather here is always unpredictable. Pack waterproof layers and wear sturdy footwear if planning to walk around.

• Extra care should be taken when windy as waves can break over the cliffs.

How to get there

The lighthouse is around a 45-minute drive north of Lewis’ main town, Stornoway. There is a free parking lot at the lighthouse with space for around 10 vehicles. The W1 bus route from Stornoway goes to the village of Eoropie, around a 20-minute walk to the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse.

When to get there

As visitors cannot enter, there are no opening hours, and you can visit the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse any time that suits you. Keen photographers may prefer to visit in winter when the wild Atlantic Ocean is most turbulent, creating dramatic images of the lighthouse and cliffs.

Wildlife and geology

The lighthouse’s setting is a birdwatcher’s paradise. Look out for buzzards, gulls, and the occasional puffin soaring around the cliffs. Seals can also be spotted along the coastline, and sometimes orcas too. Also, look closely at the crags buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean; this is some of the oldest exposed rock in Europe, created up to 300 million years ago in the Cambrian period.