See and Do in Harris
Note that this year there businesses may have different opening times, or may be closed. Please check business websites for up to date information.
As you approach Harris’s “capital” of Tarbert one of the island’s newer attractions comes into view from the viewing deck of the Caledonian Macbrayne ferry, The Isle of Harris Distillery, sits metres from the ferry and it’s gin has become one of Scotland’s favourites and its whisky is maturing in the hills above Tarbert, safe from prying eyes.
Almost uniquely, Harris and Lewis are two islands that share the same land-mass. Rather than being separated by a stretch of water, they are separated by the north Harris hills, which created two separate communities that are distinct to this day.
Harris is more mountainous than its neighbours, given it a wide range of terrain and scenery. Most people come for the white-sand beaches, especially Luskentyre and Scarista which run along its western fringe and are bordered by the machair - a coastal meadow that bursts into a kaleidoscope of flowers each summer. Others choose to walk the Harris hills, especially the chain of hills that run from Clisham, the heighest point of the Outer Hebrides at 799m out towards the island of Scarp - the last stop before Canada.
This is the land of the golden eagle, with a purpose-built hide to observe the majestic birds.
Others prefer to get their enjoyment in the water, paddling a kayak, fishing in the lochs or kite-surfing in the waves of Luskentyre. Those who prefer to spend time indoors seek out a Harris Weaver to see the cloth being woven by hand (or by foot) in the home of an islander, or visit one of the many galleries that hug the rocket east coast of the Bays of Harris.
Harris is a popular departure points for a day visit to St Kilda, or Hiort in Gaelic, one of Scotland’s world heritage sites which was evacuated in 1930. Get a taste of what life was like for the residents as you walk the abandoned buildings of Village Bay and climb Conachair for a view that will stay with you for ever.
