North Harris

The 'island' of Harris is divided by a tiny isthmus into the wild, inhospitable mountains of North Harris and the gentler landscape and sandy shores of South Harris.

Walking these bare peaks are a major reason why many visitors come to North Harris, as they offer spectacular scenery and superb views. These bulging, pyramidal mountains reach their climax around the dramatic shores of the fjord-like Loch Seaforth. The A859 south from Stornoway takes you over a boulder-strewn saddle between mighty Sgaoth Aird (1829 ft) and An Cliseam or the Clisham (2619 ft), the highest peak in the Western Isles.

The road heads for the largest place on North Harris is the ferry port of Tarbert, sheltered in a green valley on the narrow isthmus. The town's mountainous backdrop is impressive, and the town is attractively laid out on steep terraces sloping up from the dock. The only tourist office on Harris is located here.

East of Tarbert, Caolas Scalpaigh (Kyles Scalpay) looks out across East Loch Tarbert to the former island of Scalpay (Scalpaigh), now accessible via a modern single-track bridge. Traditionally, Scalpay is the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to get a boat to take him back to France after the defeat at Culloden. Nowadays, it s a fishing and diving centre.

The only other road on North Harris is the winding, single-track B887, running west from Tarbert to the small crofting community of Huisinis (Hushinish), where visitors are rewarded with a south-facing beach of shell sand that looks across to South Harris. This road clings to the northern shores of West Loch Tarbert, and gives easy access to the awesome mountain range of the (treeless) Forest of Harris to the north.