Your Holiday
Harris is one of the most glorious of Scotland’s islands boasting beautiful beaches offset by wilder landscapes and a very special array of plant and bird life. It’s a fantastic place to enjoy the amazing scenery and relax but there are also many things to do.
Explore the fabulous and quiet beaches, walk the beautiful sands or potter amongst the rock pools. There is a wealth of bird and animal life for the watching including golden eagles, otters, seals, porpoises and sometimes other species like Minke whales. The bumblebee, moth and insect populations amaze me, keep your eyes open and you might spot them or some of the tiny Machair flowers.
Isle of Harris golf course is only a few minutes drive from the house and the island boasts some of the best fishing anywhere. Many walks and hills beckon from gentle rolling to the majestic An Clisham. Hire a bike and take in the landscape at a slightly slower speed, surf, kite, kayak, pony trek on the beach …
Explore the East side (known as the Bays). Soak up the history with a visit to some ancient monuments like the ruined chapel on the south side of Chaipaval, MacLeod’s Stone or St Clement’s Church. Marvel at the powerful and evocative standing stones at Callanish or walk inside the walls of Carloway Broch. Take a boat trip to St Kilda, Taransay, the Shiants or to spot wildlife from the water. The island is a dream for photographers and artists with unique light and colours, stupendous sunsets and majestic mountains. The night skies above àilean can be truly mesmerizing with the full effect of thousands of heavenly bodies and if you’re lucky, Aurora Borealis.
If you are interested in art you will be able to track down local galleries and artists in residence. Of course, no trip to Harris would be complete without the superlative Harris Tweed so don’t forget to visit a tweed weaver or two!
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Remember that shops are not open on Sunday. There is a mini-market at Leverburgh and also some small shops in Tarbert including a butcher. A larger range of shops and some larger supermarkets can be found in Stornoway. It is also often possible to obtain locally caught fresh seafood at Leverburgh Pier and Scalpay and there are contact numbers for sourcing shellfish at the house.
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Many of the food providers have well cared for Facebook pages where you can see their opening times and up-to-date information. Things change all the time so please ask if you want something specific and we will do our best to help. Here are a few of the options.
• Scarista House: Scarista. Fixed menu, open to non-residents, booking essential.
• Croft 36: Northton. Croft produce, home made bread, cakes soup and much more. Offering changes regularly. Look for the shed! www.croft36.com
• Lorna’s Larder: Tarbert Marina
• The Waterside Café: Tarbert.
• Harris Hotel: Tarbert. Restaurant and bar food. www.harrishotel.com
• North Harbour Bistro: Scalpay, well worth the drive, super food with a view from the world’s tiniest kitchen.
• Flavour Harris: Tarbert, small scale dining, watch the chef at work right across the room. Booking essential.
• The Coffee Caravan: he gets around. Keep your eye out for the best coffee and Anzac biscuits (if you are really lucky).
• Distillery Canteen: Tarbert
• Skoon Art Café: Tea shop and gallery, Geocrab on the East side.
• The Bothy: Leverburgh bar and food in relaxed surroundings.
• Beer by the Pier: @ the ferry terminal in Leverburgh planning to open a tap room and food in 2024. Keep your fingers crossed.
• The Butty Bus near Leverburgh ferry terminal.
