Neist Point

Neist Point is the westernmost tip of Skye and probably the most photogenic lighthouse flight in Scotland. From the clifftop car park a short surfaced path drops toward the point; launch from the grass at the top where you have an unobstructed horizon and no wires. The signature frame is the low fin of rock leading out to the little white lighthouse with the Atlantic wrapping around it, and on a clear evening the sun sinks behind the Outer Hebrides for clean silhouettes. Top-downs of the layered basalt cliffs and the green-blue geo below are just as good. Wind is the whole game here: the point funnels and accelerates the prevailing westerly and throws powerful updraughts up the cliff face, so a sub-250g machine gets shoved hard. Fly a calm-ish day, stay out over the water rather than hugging the rock, and keep a fat battery reserve because the headwind home is punishing. Fulmars and gulls patrol the cliffs in spring, so give them room. Sunset is prime but busiest with tripods lining the path; a still summer dawn is glorious and empty. Watch for walkers strung along the descent.