Things To Do and See
Harris is the southern part of the Scottish Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris. It is renown for it’s sandy beaches like Luskentyre and Scarista on the west coast and rugged mountains in the north. In the east is an area of miniature fjords called the Bays.
Stunning Beaches
The beaches offer pristine white sand lapped by clear turquoise water and are often compared to the Caribbean. They are unspoilt, often deserted and stretch as far as the eye can see. Luskentyre has been named one of the best beaches in the world alongside Brazil, Florida and South Africa by Time Magazine. Other beaches not to miss include Seilebost, Huisinis, Scarista, Horgabost and Borve to name just a few.
Wildlife
Harris is a unique and important place for wildlife and the open landscape provides excellent opportunities for viewing many species of bird, animal and plant. Many of the area’s most spectacular wildlife encounters can be experienced close to roads and paths.
The area hosts many different habitats ranging from alpine grassland on high mountain slopes to machair, sandy beaches and deep sea lochs. June to August is the best time for flowers when the machair at Huisinis provides exciting exploration.The bogs are also home to a unique flora where carnivorous plants such as sundew and butterwort can be found, whilst the wet climate of the higher hills produces ideal conditions for several rare moss species.
Land mammal species include some of Scotland’s most iconic including mountain hare, otter and red deer.
There are good opportunities for seeing a variety of exciting bird species including golden eagles which are most active in bright, breezy conditions and are widely seen across the island. Common scoter, velvet scoter, Eider duck, wigeon, long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser, great northern diver and the Slavonian grebe are seen. A keen observer may be rewarded with the sight of the rare sea eagle which has been spotted from Blacksheep House.
Another popular part of the Scottish island wildlife is the wonderful sea life. Porpoises, orca whales, minke whales, basking sharks and numerous species of dolphins are found in the waters surrounding Harris. A huge percentage of the Scottish Common and Grey Seal population makes it’s home on the island.
North Harris Eagle Observatory – located in the heart of the Golden Eagle territory within the spectacular Harris hills, the North Harris Eagle Observatory provides one of the best opportunities for viewing this iconic species. For more information view www.north-harris.org or ring 01859 502222. Guided walks are also available.
Mike Briggs Hillwalking – Since 1994, Mike Briggs has provided a professional hillwalking and hiking guide service on Harris, ensuring people follow the best routes and see the best sights. For more information visit www.mikeandpeggybriggs.co.uk or ring 01859 502376.
Sea Kayaking ~ Surfing ~ Fishing
Sea Kayaking
The Isle of Harris coastline is incredibly diverse from sweeping white beaches to labyrinthine rocky inlets. An excellent way to discover the beauty of the island is by sea kayaking.
To book view
www.roamouterhebrides.co.uk
or ring 07845 136867.
Surfing
The surfing conditions on the Island of Lewis & Harris are considered by many to be the most exciting in Europe. For surfing, paddle boarding, coasteering and snorkelling contact Surf Lewis on 07920 427194 or visit www.surflewis.com
Fishing
Harris provides some of the finest Salmon and Trout fishing anywhere in Scotland. Various fishing environments are available but it is advisable to book in advance.
Finsbay Fishing 01859 530318
Obbe Fishing 01859 520466
Boat Trips
The waters of the Outer Hebrides are among the most unpolluted in the world, and as a result, are occupied by wonderful marine life and mammals. Sailing between the islands often provides excellent views of basking sharks, minke whales, orcas, porpoises, dolphins and grey seals.
St Kilda is an isolated archipelago situated 40 miles west-northwest of North Uist. The island, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, has been declared a World Heritage Site and has the largest colony of guillemots in the world, the oldest and largest colony of fulmars, the biggest colony of puffins in Britain with over one million birds in total.
Trips to the Shiants, Taransay, Scarp and Loch Seaforth are also available.
Kilda Cruises – operate from Leverburgh and guarantee that you will see thousands of seabirds (gannets, puffins, guillemots, skuas) from their fast and comfortable vessels. www.kildacruises.co.uk 01859 502060
Sea Harris –operate from Leverburgh providing fast, green and comfortable day trip to St Kilda. From June 2019 they will also offer shorter trips to other local islands. www.seaharris.com 01859 502007
Historical Attractions
St Clements Church, Rodel was built from about 1520 by Alexander MacLeod of Dunvegan and Harris. It was dedicated to Pope Clement 1. It is generally thought to be the grandest medieval building anywhere in the Western Isles.
Northton Temple – A short and pleasant walk over the machair brings you to the ruined chapel that sits on the headland. It dates from 1528 when it was built by Alisdair Crotach, Chief of the MacLeod.
Callanish Standing Stones located on the Isle of Lewis are an arrangement of standing stones placed in a cruciform pattern with a central stone circle. They were erected in the late Neolithic era and were a focus for ritual activity during the Bronze Age.
McLeod Standing Stone at Nisabost is a 10 foot tall standing stone in a stunning location on the northwestern shore of Harris looking across the Sound of Taransay. There are a number of smaller rocks scattered around the stone and there is a suspicion that this might be the remains of a burial cairn.
Golfing
Described as one of the most picturesque 9-hole courses in the world, the Isle of Harris golf club was first set up in 1930 and through hard work and dedication it is now considered to be a first class links course. Visitors are most welcome to the club. For more information visit www.harrisgolf.com
Walking
Although attached to the Isle of Lewis, Harris has a character of it’s own. The northern part of the island has the most extensive and highest range of mountains in the Outer Hebrides, providing a complex of ridges, glens and summits which are amongst the wildest in Britain. The highest summit is the Clisham. The island narrows at the village of Tarbert then changes once again as you enter the South of Harris. The eastern side of the island is ragged, bare, rocky and elemental with a series of tiny villages linked by twisting roads. On the west there is a strip of fertile machair, jewelled with flowers in the early summer.
Isle of Harris Distillery
Located in the small village of Tarbert, the Isle of Harris Distillery is known as ’The Social Distillery’, an ethos which embraces the generous character of the island and the people who live there. Although very much a working distillery, they are open six days a week for distillery tours and shop and canteen visits where they offer delicious home-made cakes and scones. Please contact them at www.harrisdistillery.com or 01859 502212.
Harris Tweed
All holidays in the Outer Hebrides should include the opportunity to discover Harris Tweed which is the world’s most luxurious wool fabric, exclusively handwoven in the Western Isles. For centuries the inhabitants have hand-woven cloth from the wool of their own sheep to protect them from the harsh and unpredictable climate. Today, you can still visit weavers at work and please ask Karen for details. To view locally made products, visit Harris Tweed and Knitwear in Tarbert (www.harristweedisleofharris.co.uk or 01859 502040 ) or The Harris Tweed Company at Grosebay – www.harristweedco.co.uk 01859 511108.
Isle of Harris Sports Centre
Located in Tarbert by the secondary school, the Sports Complex offers first class facilities including swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and fitness suite.