Isle of Harris tourist information

Joined to Lewis but with its own distinctive flavour, the rocky and beautiful Isle of Harris is one of the larger islands in the Outer Hebrides.

North Harris is separated from the rest of the island by a range of high rugged hills. South Harris is reached by travelling over a narrow strip of land which makes it practically another island. The main centre on Harris is Tarbet, a harbour village located between the North and South.

The island is a land of water and rock with some of the best scenery and beaches in Scotland - and there is a lot of competition in these isles. Some of the loveliest landscapes are on the western coast. Luskentyre beach has white sands, rolling dunes and great views across clear seas to mountains and hills beyond. The east coast is wonderfully rocky, and the nearby16th century St Clement's Church is well worth a visit.

Other attractions include Seallam!, a visitor centre with exhibitions on the people and landscapes of Harris and the Hebrides. The famous Harris tweed, a hand-woven thick woollen cloth traditionally used for Scottish clothing such as jackets, can be bought on the island that gave it its name, such as the Harris Tweed Shop in Tarbet.

The Isle of Harris is located in the centre of the Western Isles, and is a good base from which to visit the smaller nearby islands such as Scalpay, Taransay and Berneray.