to Toe Head or almost

Briefly consider the early ferry to North Uist then decide the day looks good enough to walk to Toe Head - you can see this in most of the photos taken from the house; although it is often hiding its head in the cloud.
We drive for all of ten minutes and head for the parking at the far and of Northton. We set off along with the only other visitors today; three people and two black labs we recognise from the ferry. They are clearly hardy walkers and set off at a pace, presumably to climb the hill.
We decide to take the coast path and are immediately distracted by a hidden from view beach behind Northton; you wouldn't know it was there. Gary takes some wonderful photos as we have blue skies today - lovely sparkly holiday weather.

View back to where we live

Holiday weather

We spy three more beaches and walk alongside the cliffs, dunes and rocks to visit them all. Each has its own charm and most importantly shelter from the westerly that has started to blow. However, the weather to the west looks fine so we can put up with the wind if it's from that direction.
We spot a ruin on a small headland and designate it as our early lunch / coffee spot. On reaching it, many sheep have been there first (literally) so we slide down to a small but perfectly formed beach of pure white sand.
Disturbed briefly by two mad dogs, shortly followed by the hardy walkers. They were indeed fast as we spotted them on top of the hill earlier. Can't help but think that this terrain and views deserve a slower pace.
We carry on along the coast, not decided exactly where to head for or where to stop. We keep on going "just to that rocky summit" until we realise that it is much further to Toe Head than it looks on the map. It is rumoured that eagles nest there and have been seen recently. A hollowed out (dead) sheep we manage to avoid, seems evidence that something predatory is in the area. 
Discussing whether to turn around or continue, our eyes are drawn upwards towards what looks like an easy route to the top of the hill. When will we learn? There is never an easy way up!

The ruined medieval chapel from a quarter of the way up the hill.

 What feels like hours later and with me blaming the wind (what else) for my shortness of breath, we finally reach the lovely peat bog at the crest of the hill. Briefly consider a visit to the very top then unanimously agree to descend towards that green path - which turns out to be yet another bog. We scramble, jump and dither down the slightly less steep side of the hill. The views across to all of the beaches of the west coast make up for the wet, heathery, slippy descent.
We find a sheltered spot for the final coffee of the day but the light is too flat for a decent photo.
We then spend some time searching for the track back to the car and encounter the most unusual method of crossing a fence to date. Stand on the conveniently placed rock, hoist one leg over the fence while gripping the carefully wrapped (in a tesco bag) barbed wire then use the second handhold, similarly wrapped until you land safely on the other side. Easy if you're six foot; slightly amusing if you are only just a little over five foot.
Still we make it and enjoy the gentle stroll back along the estuary banks to the car.
All in all, a fine days walking with not one drop of rain. We were out for almost six hours.
Some details of plots were emailed yesterday so we drive almost to the end of "our" road for a quick viewing. An interesting three point turn then back to the house for a well earned supper.

Final photo for today, taken by me at one of the three beaches this morning.   The uninhabited island of Pabbay in the background.