'The world in an island' – summer walks on Berneray
After last summer's highly successful series of 'otter walks', James MacLetchie of Hebridean Adventures is once again leading a series of walks on Berneray starting this month. Organised by Berneray Development Group, this year's walks will have a broader remit, including otters, natural history and archaeology. Each walk will start from the Nurse's Cottage, Backhill, Berneray (which has ample parking) at 10.30am for a prompt 11am departure. The walk will last two and a half to three hours, allowing ample opportunity to explore the natural and archaeological wonders of Berneray. If you are not lucky enough to see an otter in the flesh during the course of the walk, you will certainly see evidence of their presence, and James will tell you how to spot this. You will also pass the seal viewing point with its new granite interpretation panel. As you walk over the shoulder of Borve Hill towards the famed Berneray machair, you will gain an impressive panoramic view towards the isle of Pabbay and the west. Descending the hill towards the various archaeological sites on the machair, you are very likely to hear a corncrake, several of which are active throughout the summer in this part of the island. The final part of the walk involves a brief climb to the impressive standing stone at Beinn a'Chlaidh, before finishing with the opportunity for a late lunch at The Lobster Pot Tearoom and a wander back to the Nurse's Cottage, where you're welcome to browse the historical, natural history and visitor information displays in the building. The dates for this year's walks are as follows:
The costs are £5 per adult, £2 for children, and a family rate of £12. It is not necessary to book in advance, but for more information please either contact the secretary of Berneray Development Group on 01876 540209 (andrew@sealview.com) or James MacLetchie directly on 07767 071963 (info@hebridean-adventures.co.uk). 
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