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Harris (or in the Gaelic "Na Hearadh" from
the old Norse "High island") lies in the centre of the Western Isles,
the 130 mile-long chain otherwise known as the Outer Hebrides. The
islands have a rich and intriguing history and a landscape untouched
by time.
Harris is a beautiful island of mountains, beaches, lochs, tranquil
bays, rock and heather. Although referred to as an island it is
in fact attached to the Isle of Lewis, separated by mountains. The
spectacular pure white deserted beaches of the west coast are in
stark contrast to the high hills and rocky "lunar" landscape of
the east coast.
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Tarbert (from the Norse "tairbeart", meaning
draw-boat) was established as a fishing village around 1780 and is
the main center of Harris. There are various shops including: grocery
stores, post office, craft shop, tea room and the essential bank and
petrol station.
The Caledonian MacBrayne
ferry from Uig on Skye arrives in Tarbert daily (except Sundays).
The Sabbath remains a special day in the islands. |
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Nearby to Cleur is the small fishing port of Stockinish from
where local fishermen carry on the long tradition of sailing out daily to catch a wide variety
of fish, most of which are exported. There is also a growing industry of fish farming around
the bays and lochs of Harris and Lewis, growing salmon, mussels and oysters.
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Harris is also famous worldwide for its "Harris
Tweed". The fabric is made from 100% pure wool, spun and woven from
the sheep of the Island. The first marketing of Harris Tweed was
carried out by Lady Dunmore (the owner of Harris) in the 1850s,
initially to her friends, but this was the beginning of the Harris
Tweed industry. Much of the weaving is still done on looms at crofters'
homes.
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The Hebrides is the heartland of many famous
clans. By the sixteenth century Harris belonged to the Clan MacLeod
of Harris and Dunvegan, with their main religious centre at Roghadal.
St.Clement's Church at Roghadal is a magnificent medieval building
and one of the main tourist attractions of Harris. It was built
in the early 1500s by Alexander MacLeod.
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T
he unique diversity of flora can be seen at its best throughout
the fertile "machair" lands on the west coast of Harris, from where
the habitants were cleared in the 1800s by their landlords who required
the land for sheep farming. You can still see the Lazy Beds on the
hill sides cut between the rocks, where crofters once grew potatoes
and vegetables.
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F
or further
local information about Harris visit virtualhebrides.com.
Also contains information about the other islands of the Outer Hebrides.
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The Seallam
visitor centre has an exhibition about the people and landscape
of the Hebrides and is well worth a visit. It has a genealogy research
service for tracing ancestors from the Western Isles.
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