This scenic tour takes us southwards from Stornoway down the length of the Long Island through a stunning landscape of lochs and open peat moorlands. Driving through the beckoning hills of North Harris we’ll head to the golden sands of Horgabost in South Harris.
credit pictures:
Tarbert, Horgabost Flowers – © Malcolm Macleod
Luskentyre – © Mairi M. Martin
Overview
In North Harris we may take a photo stop amidst breathtaking mountain scenery before passing under the shadow of the Clisham, at 799 metres the highest peak in the Outer Hebrides. Golden eagles breed in this wild and rugged land, and sometimes sea eagles are spotted here. Descending to the main settlement of Tarbert, we take time to explore this small ferry port, with its Harris Tweed shop, distillery and other local shops.
Continuing onwards we come to the glorious sandy coastline of South Harris, famous for its aquamarine waters and unrivalled beaches. Our route here is on a lovely winding single-track road dotted with crofting villages until we finally make our way to Horgabost. Here we park on the ‘machair’, a distinctive dune grassland filled with wild flowers in the spring and early summer. There we can stroll on the shell-sand beach. From here there are exquisite views across turquoise waters to the Isle of Taransay, made so memorable by the BBC’s ‘Castaway 2000’ television series. We return to Stornoway via the same main route.