Vatersay Circular – Outer Hebrides

Distance

22.2km

Time

6h 30m

Difficulty

Medium

Published on 2 min read

Vatersay Circular coastal walk

Inspired by the heart-warming tale of love and resilience in “The Salt Path“, we invited our OS Champions to reveal special routes that are filled with meaning for them. In this post we hear from hiker Lisa Drewe about her connection to Vatersay, which is the southernmost and westernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.


Vatersay Circular walk - mountain

The circular coastal walk around Vatersay remains one of the most special adventures I’ve undertaken not because it was written up in any guide, but because it wasn’t. I traced the route myself, using only an OS map, curiosity, and the confidence granted by Scotland’s right to roam. That simple act of choosing to make a path rather than follow one opened up the boundless possibility of Scottish island adventure for me.

Otters on Vatersay

The walk delivered far more than I expected. Along Vatersay Sound, I watched otters slip silently between rocks, the kind of moment you hold your breath to witness. I swam alone in the glassy turquoise waters of Bagh a Deas, a beach so beautiful and empty it gifted such an intense sense of freedom. The coastline was deeply indented, requiring careful navigation across tidal inlets and rocky outcrops, which only added to the feeling of real exploration.

Vatersay Circular Walk

Reaching the most westerly inhabited point in Britain, I stood in total solitude, the Atlantic crashing below. And later, back on Barra, I celebrated with hand-dived scallop pakoras from Cafe Kisimul, a place that people travel from far and wide to taste the food here.

Vatersay - a boat on the sea with a mountain behind

That walk wasn’t just a route it was a turning point. It showed me a new kind of freedom, and the wild magic of the Scottish islands revealed by the OS map.

This route is ideal for the confident navigator who is looking for a it more than the usual coastal path.

OS Guidebooks and Maps

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

We are with you every step of the way. Shop our trusted walking and hiking maps and guidebooks
so you can explore the outdoors with confidence.

Go to the shop
Liked by 0 users
Read more
Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs with Moth and Raynor Winn

Raynor Winn on the healing power of walking (and how it feels to be played by Gillian Anderson!)

May 12, 2025
13 min read

Raynor Winn discusses the healing power of walking and how she felt about Gillian Anderson playing her in the film of her book The Salt Path

Read more
gillian anderson and jason isaacs as Raynor and Moth Winn in the salt path

8 Great Walks at The Salt Path Filming Locations

May 13, 2025
6 min read

The Salt Path Film Locations – Explore 8 exciting circular walks on the South West Coast Path with OS Maps

Read more
The finish of The Hebridean Way

Cycling The Hebridean Way

May 13, 2025
2 min read

Inspired by the life-changing walk in The Salt Path, OS Champion Meg Collington shares her own empowering adventure cycling the Hebridean Way

EXPLORE WITH

OS Maps

Get more from the outdoors with OS Maps. Whether you’re planning a mountain hike, taking the kids for a woodland bike ride, or looking to discover a new local adventure, OS Maps helps you explore with more confidence.

Discover thousands of ready-made routes from outdoor experts; view & download maps directly to your phone, or print from your computer.
With trusted mapping, route planning tools & features, created by Ordnance Survey; OS Maps helps you make the most of your time outside.

Launch OS Maps
digital-maps-2

EXPLORE THE

OS Shop

Ordnance Survey are the experts in mapping. Shop our selection of UK Maps for hiking, walking and your next outdoor adventure. Plus don’t miss our selection of essential walking guidebooks.

Whether you’re exploring the breathtaking landscapes of the UK’s National Parks or enjoying a serene coastal getaway, our paper maps are your indispensable travel companion.

Go to the shop
buy uk hiking maps and walking guidebooks (2)