Isle of Harris - Na Hearadh

Harris, from the old Norse meaning 'high land,' is often described as the 'high heart of the Hebrides'. From cliffs, mountains and moorlands to crofts, lochs, meadows and sandy beaches, this is an island ready to exceed all expectations. With the Harris Hills (the highest is the Clisham at 799m) being formed on the oldest rock in the world, Lewisian Gneiss, there is a strange and awe inspiring lunar landscape. In these hills you can find castles nestled in lonely bays, fantastic salmon and trout fishing, golfing, and even tennis, right on the edge of the Atlantic.

The East coast is a dramatic, rocky landscape, where it it hard to imagine how people managed to scrape a living from the land and the sea, whereas the West coast is breathtakingly beautiful more conventionally, with miles of golden sandy beaches and fertile machair soil with stunning mountainous backdrops.

The Harris folk have a beautiful soft lilt in their accent and are often mistaken for being Irish: they certainly share the Irish sense of fun, hospitality and loyalty. Harris has received a lot of media attention in the last two years, as it was host to the TV series Castaway 2000, the soon-to-be-released feature film 'The Rocket Post' and the forthcoming BBC production of 'Crowdie and Cream'. It is possible to experience the 'castaway' lifestyle for yourself by staying on the offshore island of Taransay or visiting the isle of Scarp. There are no words to describe what it is like to stand looking over the expanse of white and turquoise Luskentyre sands with views out across towards Taransay, you'll just have to come and see it for yourself.