Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides / Western Isles
Isle of Harris (pictured left, click to enlarge) is divided from the Isle of Lewis by the long sea lochs of Loch Seaforth and Loch Resort, and is 21 miles long, at most, by 18 miles wide. The Isle of Harris is nearly cut in two by East and West Loch Tarbert, and has an area of 90 square miles. The area is much more mountainous than Lewis, and Clisham is the highest hill at 2622 feet.
The Isle of Harris has superb beaches on the west coast, including Traigh Scarista, Luskentyre, Taobh Tuath, and Huisinis Bay, with views to Scarp. The east of Harris is rougher: rocky with many lochans and sea inlets, although many people live here now: again the island was cleared, and folk were moved to the east from the more fertile west side of the island.
The population of the island, who speak Gaelic, is about 2200 and are in the main presbyterian. The largest settlement on Harris is Leverburgh, followed by Tarbert, which is the administrative capital. The island has a nine-hole golf course at Scarista, and there are fine views from Manish.
Lewis and Harris - by Francis Thompson
This visitors' guide describes the heritage, landscape, climate, flora and fauna of the Atlantic islands. They form part of a chain and still retain something of their history and culture going back over 5000 years. The entire area incorporates many Sites of Scientific Interest.
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You will find more details on the island in our Isle of Harris Section and more details on the town of Leverburgh in our Leverburgh Section:
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