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.

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, Harris tweed shop, tea room and the essential bank and petrol station.

Nearby to Cluer 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.

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.

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 Rodel. St.Clement's Church at Rodel is a magnificent medieval building and one of the main tourist attractions of Harris. It was built in the early 1500s by Alexander MacLeod.

The 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.