Attractions on the Isle of Harris

Attractions    Click on images to enlarge and mouse over the image for a description

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	Isle of Harris Knitwear Company,  Grosebay, Isle of Harris, Western Isles. HS3 3EF
	From the romantic and rugged landscape of the Isle of Harris in the Western Isles comes a look that means the ultimate in high quality, traditional knitwear - using exclusively the 'Babysoft' yarn used to weave the world famous Harris Tweed. We also stock locally produced high quality 'Harris Tweed' garments.  Tel:+44 (0)1859 511108 Fax: +44 (0)1859 511297 www.isleofharrisknitwear.co.uk email: harrisknitwear@hotmail.com
	Tel:  01859 511108 Fax: 01859 511297

	Harris Tweed and Knitwear , 4 Plockropool, Isle of Harris HS3 3EB
	Traditional Weavers workshop. Whether its a Tweed length, Harris Tweed Jacket, hats or bags we have a wide selecton of colours, tweeds and styles to choose from. As well as Harris Tweed we also produce a range of Harris knitting wool, knitwear and gifts for all ages. Please click here to go to our website. Weaving demonstrations available on request and coach parties are also welcome.
	Tel: 01859 511217 Fax: 01859 511217  Email: info@harristweedandknitwear.co.uk

	Harris Tweed
	Harris Tweed is probably the best known of all the products of Lewis and Harris. The hard wearing, and now fashionable again cloth, has been woven in the homes of the islanders of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra for hundreds of years. Originally called Clo Mhor in Gaelic, meaning ‘the big cloth’, its potential was realised by Lady Dunmore in 1846, when she had local weavers copy the Murray tartan in Tweed. After the huge success of this venture, she improved the process and marketed the product to her friends. Today, the high quality cloth can be viewed all over the world. www.harristweed.org

	Sea Harris , East Tarbert, Isle Of Harris, HS3 3DB
	Daily Shiant, St.Kilda and other Island Cruises* Sea Harris invites you to experience the breathing beauty & serenity of some of the most fascinating Islands in the Outer Hebrides aboard the ‘Enchanted Isle’ Sea Harris offer scheduled day excursions to St. Kilda and to the Shiant Islands as well as providing private charters to many small Islands accessible from the Isle of Harris. With St. Kilda excursions departing from Leverburgh in South Harris & Shiants excursions departing from Tarbert in North Harris, our scheduled Island visits are accessible to anyone visiting Lewis & Harris during the summer months.
	Tel: 01859 502007  or Mob: 07760216555

	Kilda Cruises , 'Heather Lea'  Tarbert Isle of Harris HS3 3BG
	Kilda Cruises depart from Leverburgh on the Isle of Harris and aim to provide a fast, comfortable day trip service with St Kilda, the archipelago comprising of Hirta, Dun, Soay & Boreray as the main destination. Trips to the other remote outlying islands are available by request. Custom tours can be arranged for a maximum of twelve people. The scenery you will encounter on board is second to none and the island is a haven for whales, sharks, dolphins, puffin, gannet, guillemot and also many different species of wild flowers and lichens. Booking is essential - tours are not recommended for children under 10 years of age. www.kildacruises.co.uk   Click here for an image of their brochure
	Tel: 01859 502060

	St Kilda
	The volcanic island of St Kilda is one of the most remote parts of the British Isles and lies 41 miles west of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides. It has the highest sea cliffs and probably the most dramatic scenery of anywhere else in the UK. The island which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland has been declared a World Heritage Site and has the largest colony of guillemots in the world, the oldest and largest colony of fulmars, the biggest colony of puffins in Britain and over one million birds in total. In 1936 the last 36 inhabitants were evacuated from the island at their own request due to the harshness of conditions and crop failures. There are no permanent residents today, but the main island of Hirta is occupied all year round by a number of civilians working on the MoD base there. During the summer months these numbers are increased by volunteer work parties and employees of the Scottish National Trust. The MoD base is part of the Hebrides missile tracking range based in Benbecula, where test firings and flights are carried out. The MoD leases St Kilda from the National Trust for Scotland for a nominal fee.   Kilda Cruises and Sea Harris sail to St Kilda on a regular basis.

The Beaches
	Beaches are probably the feature of Harris that impress most visitors. The colour of the water, even on a dull day, and the purity of the sand are simply stunning. The beaches range from the huge expanses of Traigh Losgaintir (Luskentyre) and Traigh Sgarastaigh (Scarista) to little sheltered coves beside the road at Na Buirgh (Borve). Behind the beaches are the machairs - green grassy plains covered in a mass of wild flowers in the summer.   The images probably don't do justice to the wonderful colours and sheer size of the beach area.

	Seallam! Visitor Centre, at Northton. An important centre to visit if you would like to find out more quality information about Harris. The centre has a changing series of exhibitions on various facets of local life and history. It also has a well stocked book shop, with a tea and coffee bar. Seallam ! is also the home of Co Leis Thu? the internationally known Research Centre set up by Bill and Chris Lawson. If researching your hebridean ancestors, the staff at Seallam! are willing to help.  You can browse among exhibits dealing with the history and natural environment of the Hebrides, or consult more detailed sources of information in the Research Area.       Tel: 01859 520258      www.seallam.com

	Church of St. Clement at Rodel is situated at the southern tip of Harris, near Leverburgh. The church was built in the 16th century by Alexander MacLeod of Harris and Dunvegan , otherwise known as Alasdair Crotach (humpback), due to a sword wound. The main features of interest are three tombs carved in black gneiss depicting knights, and the tomb of Alexander (picture to the right). The church is open to the public and run by ‘Historic Scotland’.  The church is normally open and there is no entry charge.  Good views from the tower, however, it must be pointed out that the steps are nearly vertical, and the staircase narrow.

	The Isle of Taransay  lies just off the west coast of South Harris, and was used to film the BBC programme, Castaway 2000. It can be best viewed from the roadside parking place between Horgabost and Borve. Originally, the island supported three villages, Raa, Paibil and Horgabost.  Uidh. By the mid 1800’s they amalgamated into one farm based on Paibil. Only one family remained on the island until the 1970’s and now the island is unoccupied apart from sheep and deer. During the summer, boat trips go out to the island.