Faraid Head is the sandy peninsula that closes off the north side of Balnakeil Bay. To reach it, walk north through the dunes from Balnakeil — the terrain is boggy in places and you will want boots. The headland is a military area with restricted access in parts, but the coastal path around the northern tip is generally accessible.
In season, Faraid Head has one of the most accessible puffin colonies in the north of Scotland. The birds nest in burrows in the clifftop grass and can be observed at reasonably close range if you move quietly. From the northern point there are good views across to Cape Wrath and, on clear days, the Orkney Islands. The combination of open sea, dramatic light, and the surreal domesticity of puffins in their burrows makes this a memorable walk.