(c) James SmithTraigh na Beirghe - Beach of the Fort - is well named as it is the home of several archaeological sites. At the Cnip end there is a Bronze-Age D-shaped crematorium, alongside a Viking burial site. Up in the hills behind the beach is the Loch Barabhat Iron Age Fort site. In the bog on the Riof machair is another Iron Age fort, possibly a broch.

To reach Loch Barabhat, park near the gate separating the common grazings of Cnip and Riof - the only gate across the road. Ener the grazings on the Cnip side keeping to the left; skirt the marsh and walk along the far side until you come to a valley with a large mill-wheel at its bottom end. Scramble up the valley passing three norse water-mills, and Loch Barabhat is at the top. Though damp in places this walk is not too daunting and is of immense interest.

Much less taxing, however, is the walk along the length of the beach itself. At the eastern end of the beach there is a gate on the right-hand side which leads to Traigh Theinish, a small, rough-shelled beach which is usually deserted.