Harris is rightly famous for its miles of pristine sandy beaches, but its eastern coast, with its lochs and moorland is also worth exploring. The Bays, as the east coast is known, has panoramic views and hidden coves, ideal for a spot of rock pooling. There are wild orchids, flag iris and waterlilies in abundance There is a beautiful loch behind the house with several islands which are smothered honeysuckle, rowan, ferns and even a holly tree! Its a magnet for many bird species. There are boat trips available to book locally, that with any luck will give you a memorable sighting of seals, whales and a huge variety of seabirds.
The west coast provides some of the most stunning beaches in the world. From the chain of small beaches at Northton that look out over the Sound of Harris to the Uists beyond, past the wide open stretches of sand at Scarista that provide great surfing and kiteboarding opportunities. Nicabost, with its prominent standing stone on the headland and Luskentyre which is a stones throw from the island of Taransay where Castaway was filmed and Ben Fogle first appeared on TV! Further afield is Huisnish, in north Harris. A hair raising drive but a fabulous spot surrounded by the high hills.
The west side is more fertile and the shell sand mixed with acidic soil produces a strip of land along the coast known as machair. In spring and summer the machair is a carpet of wild flowers.
For the keen hill walker there are a number of fine peaks that will reward your effort with stunning 360 views. Roneval is the largest mountain in South Harris, while the Clisham in North Harris is the tallest in the Outer Hebrides. For the less fit there are a number of signposted walks throughout Harris and Lewis. For golfers there is a super 9 hole course at Scarista, which must surely boast some of the best views of any course in the world! There are some excellent sea fishing opportunities a short walk from the house, and for those who enjoy fly fishing there are a number of excellent lochs and rivers with salmon , arctic charr and trout. We would be happy to advise you on who to contact for a fishing permit.
There are a number of famous sites worth visiting. Rodel, is a medieval church with some wonderful carved tombs. There is a tiny chapel at Northton that is located on an earlier Beaker period settlement and for more recent (and gory) history, the old whaling station at Bunovanader is a though provoking visit that shows how times have changed. Further afield in Lewis, Callanish is one of the finest stone circles in the world and far older than Stonehenge. There is an iron age broch (tower) at nearby Carloway and a reconstructed "black house" at Arnol. The Seallam centre at Northton is worth a visit for anyone interested in the history and culture of the islands. It is ran by Bill Lawson who has written many interesting books, and leads nature walks. He is also the man to see if you are interested in island genealogy. The islands main museum can be found in Stornoway on Francis St. and is well worth a visit.
There are a number of little galleries locally, including Finsbay Gallery and Skoon Art Cafe in Geocrab which combines art with wonderful food! An Lanntair in Stornoway has a gallery as well as a cinema, bar and restaurant.
Other places for delicious food include The Anchorage at Leverburgh pier (great fish and chips), First Fruits tearoom in Tarbert, and Scarista House for truly superb food with stunning views over the beaches. One of our local delicacies is Stornoway Black Pudding. We recommend Charles Macleod butcher in Stornoway. Should you want to try some of the best seafood imaginable we have a local contact, who weather (and catch!) permitting can provide crab, lobster, and prawns.
The closest grocery shop is An Clachan, in Leverburgh. There is also a petrol pump off-licence and gift shop. Tarbert also has a range of shops including a butcher, several grocery shops, garage and gift shop. There is a swimming pool, and jacuzzi in Tarbert. There are also three shops that sell the famous Clo Mor (Big cloth) or Harris tweed. Please remember that there are no shops or petrol stations open on Sunday.
The west coast provides some of the most stunning beaches in the world. From the chain of small beaches at Northton that look out over the Sound of Harris to the Uists beyond, past the wide open stretches of sand at Scarista that provide great surfing and kiteboarding opportunities. Nicabost, with its prominent standing stone on the headland and Luskentyre which is a stones throw from the island of Taransay where Castaway was filmed and Ben Fogle first appeared on TV! Further afield is Huisnish, in north Harris. A hair raising drive but a fabulous spot surrounded by the high hills.
The west side is more fertile and the shell sand mixed with acidic soil produces a strip of land along the coast known as machair. In spring and summer the machair is a carpet of wild flowers.
For the keen hill walker there are a number of fine peaks that will reward your effort with stunning 360 views. Roneval is the largest mountain in South Harris, while the Clisham in North Harris is the tallest in the Outer Hebrides. For the less fit there are a number of signposted walks throughout Harris and Lewis. For golfers there is a super 9 hole course at Scarista, which must surely boast some of the best views of any course in the world! There are some excellent sea fishing opportunities a short walk from the house, and for those who enjoy fly fishing there are a number of excellent lochs and rivers with salmon , arctic charr and trout. We would be happy to advise you on who to contact for a fishing permit.
There are a number of famous sites worth visiting. Rodel, is a medieval church with some wonderful carved tombs. There is a tiny chapel at Northton that is located on an earlier Beaker period settlement and for more recent (and gory) history, the old whaling station at Bunovanader is a though provoking visit that shows how times have changed. Further afield in Lewis, Callanish is one of the finest stone circles in the world and far older than Stonehenge. There is an iron age broch (tower) at nearby Carloway and a reconstructed "black house" at Arnol. The Seallam centre at Northton is worth a visit for anyone interested in the history and culture of the islands. It is ran by Bill Lawson who has written many interesting books, and leads nature walks. He is also the man to see if you are interested in island genealogy. The islands main museum can be found in Stornoway on Francis St. and is well worth a visit.
There are a number of little galleries locally, including Finsbay Gallery and Skoon Art Cafe in Geocrab which combines art with wonderful food! An Lanntair in Stornoway has a gallery as well as a cinema, bar and restaurant.
Other places for delicious food include The Anchorage at Leverburgh pier (great fish and chips), First Fruits tearoom in Tarbert, and Scarista House for truly superb food with stunning views over the beaches. One of our local delicacies is Stornoway Black Pudding. We recommend Charles Macleod butcher in Stornoway. Should you want to try some of the best seafood imaginable we have a local contact, who weather (and catch!) permitting can provide crab, lobster, and prawns.
The closest grocery shop is An Clachan, in Leverburgh. There is also a petrol pump off-licence and gift shop. Tarbert also has a range of shops including a butcher, several grocery shops, garage and gift shop. There is a swimming pool, and jacuzzi in Tarbert. There are also three shops that sell the famous Clo Mor (Big cloth) or Harris tweed. Please remember that there are no shops or petrol stations open on Sunday.
