Isle of Harris - the unpolished jewel of the Outer Hebrides Part I
- Denise Bertram
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
The Isle of Harris had been on my Scotland wish list for a long time. But because the journey there is a bit more arduous, we kept putting it off. This time, however, it was finally time. An overnight stay in Portree on the Isle of Skye , and the next morning the ferry was due to depart from Uig at 10 a.m. The weather was rainy and windy - nothing unusual for Scotland. At the ferry port, it quickly became clear that patience would be required today. Due to strong winds, the ferry was still anchored in Lochmaddy , and it was uncertain whether it would arrive at all. But luck was on our side - after a four and a half hour delay, we finally set off. I am always fascinated by how quickly and smoothly the loading process goes: car on board, hatch closed, and off we go to sea. This type of travel has a magic all its own for me, and with the Scottish ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne you always feel safe and in good hands.
Arriving in Tarbert , we were immediately struck by a landscape that defies words. Scattered all around the coast, small islands lay like shimmering jewels, and it was simply stunning how such a barren, rugged landscape could radiate such quiet, sublime beauty.
A place for those who appreciate the raw nature and can lose themselves in the vastness.
The view from the terrace of our house was indescribable, and it soon became a running joke that I had to check if the view was still there ;-) I could hardly get enough of it - you'll certainly understand when you see the picture below...
Isle of Harris and Isle of Lewis
Yes, it's the same island, because Lewis forms the north, with the main town of Stornoway , where the ferry to Ullapool departs. A local Tesco Superstore is a real blessing. In contrast to dramatic Harris , Lewis is flatter, gentler, and wider. Particularly worthwhile is the Butt of Lewis , the island's northernmost point, where mighty cliffs rise up and seabirds circle, court, and nest in the rocks—a raw, impressive spectacle of nature.
In Part II, I'll tell you what Harris Tweet and the Golden Road are all about—and how Lord of Harris and Merlin came to be....
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