| The Isle of Harris is a small island in the | | | | the journey is one of the best road trips in the |
| archipelago known as the Western Isles or Outer | | | | Western Isles. |
| Hebrides which are found off the west coast of | | | | North Harris is dominated by the imposing |
| Scotland in the United Kingdom. The Western Isles | | | | mountains which attract many walkers. Driving |
| consist of over 200 islands with only a few being | | | | around North Harris is very interesting. As you |
| inhabited. Harris may ring a few bells with some | | | | turn off the main road to Stornoway you first |
| readers as it is the place where the famous cloth | | | | pass what looks like a tall solitary chimney which |
| called Harris Tweed is hand woven, prepared on | | | | was once a whaling station. Further along the road |
| man powered looms, the clattering of which can | | | | you begin to get the feeling that you have |
| be heard coming from small loom sheds dotted | | | | stumble upon a private road rather than the public |
| around the island. | | | | highway, especially as you drive the entrance to |
| At one time the main village on the Isle of Harris | | | | Amhuinnsuide Castle (pronounced rather like |
| was Rodel which can be found close to the most | | | | 'avan-soo-ee'). You may find it strange but the |
| southerly tip of Harris. It was here that the ferry | | | | public highway actually passes the front doorway |
| from Skye would arrive and depart but that was | | | | to the castle and it really does feel as though you |
| long ago and looking around the harbour now you | | | | are driving through somebody's front garden. |
| would find it hard to believe that it could ever | | | | If you are staying in Tarbert it is well worth |
| have been busy. The main reason for visiting | | | | taking the fifteen minute drive to the Isle of |
| Rodel today is the visit the incredible St Clement's | | | | Scalpay, which is now joined to the Isle of Harris |
| Church. Built in the 1520's, and heavily restored in | | | | by a single track bridge. This small fishing island |
| 1873 by the Countess of Dunmore, St Clement's | | | | once had a population of over 800 souls and the |
| is the final resting place of Alexander MacLeod | | | | North Harbour would often contain that many |
| (chief) who is better known as 'Alasdair Crotach). | | | | fishing boats that you could walk from one side |
| His wall tomb is the main internal feature which | | | | to the other across them. Today the population is |
| has a life size effigy with a canopy/arch of | | | | less than 300 people but there are still a small |
| interesting sculpted reliefs. Further sculptures | | | | number of fishing boats to be found in the |
| appear on the exterior walls. | | | | harbour and moored in various places around the |
| Today the main village on the Isle of Harris is | | | | island. If you feel up to a trek across an open |
| Tarbert which can be found at the narrow | | | | more then a trip to the fist lighthouse to be built |
| isthmus where North Harris becomes South Harris. | | | | in Scotland, Eilean Glas (erected in 1788) is well |
| The original village was rather small with a single | | | | rewarded. |
| track main road but today modern houses appear | | | | South Harris is well known for its numerous |
| on terraces up one side of the narrow green | | | | glorious beaches. Long tracts of shell sand |
| valley in which the village is situated. The addition | | | | beaches are backed by lush green land known as |
| of new road and parking/queuing area leading to | | | | machair which at various times of the year is |
| the ferry terminal has done much to ease | | | | richly decorated with an abundance of wildflowers. |
| congestion but, if you are driving through the main | | | | Driving along the road you will often find the |
| street of Tarbert great care should be taken as it | | | | scenery so incredible that you will want to slow |
| can still get rather busy. | | | | down to enjoy it, please don't as it can be a little |
| Admittedly there are not many tourist attractions | | | | dangerous please consider other vehicles which |
| on the Isle of Harris but that is exactly why so | | | | may be behind you. |
| many people visit annually. The unique Hebridean | | | | The people of the Isle of Harris are some of the |
| culture and spectacular scenery are sufficiently | | | | friendliest in the world and the area has a |
| awe inspiring that the appearance of modern | | | | fantastic reputation for it's superb hospitality. If |
| tourist attractions would destroy the island's | | | | you have never visited the Outer Hebrides |
| charm. Saying that there are a few places to visit | | | | maybe it is time you took a look at this |
| that are rather interesting, the already mentioned | | | | fascinating part of the United Kingdom with a |
| St Clements is well worth the trip to Rodel and | | | | view to visiting soon. |
