and
Taransay The boundary between Lewis and Harris is approximately a line from the head of Loch Resort on the west coast to the closest point of
Loch Seaforth on the east coast. Harris itself divides naturally into northern and southern parts which are separated by
West and
East Loch Tarbert. These halves are joined by a narrow
isthmus at the main settlement of
Tarbert (
An Tairbeart or
Tairbeart na Hearadh). , Harris The bedrock of Harris is largely
Lewisian
gneisses, which were laid down in the
Precambrian period, interspersed with
igneous intrusions. One of these intrusions forms the summit plateau of the mountain Roinebhal. The rock here is
anorthosite, and is similar in composition to rocks found in the mountains of the
Moon. Harris is a part of
historic Inverness-shire, and was administered as such under older administrative divisions. In the 2001 census, Harris had a usually resident population of 1,916. It is part of the
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland.
North Harris '', or "lazy beds" on North Harris North Harris, adjoining
Lewis, contains
Clisham (
An Cliseam), the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at . The area is sparsely populated. Beyond Tarbert, the furthest settlement is
Hushinish (
Hùisinis) on the west coast. A bridge from the east coast links Harris to the island of
Scalpay (
Sgalpaigh na Hearadh). In March 2003 the North Harris Estate was purchased by the North Harris Trust, a
development trust, on behalf of the local community. In April 2006 the Trust hosted the
Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company conference "Community Energy: Leading from the Edge" in Tarbert. In early 2008 the Trust received planning consent for three 86 metre (282 ft) wind turbines to be located at Monan. In 2008
Mike Russell, the Scottish
environment minister announced that the North Harris Trust had begun canvassing local opinion about a proposal to create Scotland's third
national park in the area.
South Harris The southern part of Harris is less mountainous, with numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches on the west coast. Its main settlements are
Rodel (
Roghadal), known for its medieval
kirk of
St. Clement (
Eaglais Chliamhain), the most elaborate surviving medieval church in the
Hebrides after
Iona Abbey, and
Leverburgh (
An Tòb na Hearadh or
An t-Òb na Hearadh). A ferry sails from the latter to
Berneray (
Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh), an island off the coast of
North Uist (
Uibhist a Tuath), to which it is joined by a causeway. The east coast of south Harris is known as the Bays. The best known section called the "Golden Road" as it cost so much money to build, when it was built in 1897. It runs from Miavaig via Drinishader, Grosebay, Scadabay and Cluer to Stockinish. From Stockinish the road is the Bays and meanders through the coastal townships of
Lickisto (
Liceasto),
Geocrab (
Geòcrab),
Manish (
Mànais),
Flodabay (
Fleòideabhagh),
Quidinish (
Cuidhtinis),
Finsbay (
Fionnsbhagh) and
Lingerbay (
Lingreabhagh). The beaches of
Luskentyre and
Scarista are amongst the most spectacular. From the former the island of
Taransay, where the BBC Television series
Castaway 2000 was recorded, is seen most clearly from Harris. At Scarista the beach is a venue for surfing and kite buggying. Nearby the Harris Golf Club offers well kept greens and views of the hills, but there is no play on Sundays. Scarista is the birthplace of the author
Finlay J. MacDonald, who wrote about growing up on Harris in the 1930s. His books:
Crowdie and Cream,
Crotal and White and
The Corncrake and the Lysander paint a vivid and humorous picture of
Hebridean life.
Tarbert Tarbert is the main port and main settlement of Harris, with a population of about 550. The name Tarbert comes from the Gaelic
tairbeart meaning "
portage" or "
isthmus". It is located on an isthmus between Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert. The village has a ferry terminal, local tourist information and some small shops, including a
Harris Tweed shop overlooking the main access road to the
CalMac ferry terminal and a general grocery store. It is also home to the Harris Distillery.
Scalpay The island of
Scalpay is located at the mouth of East Loch Tarbert. It was known historically for its fishing industry, though little of that remains. The island was linked to Harris when the Scalpay Bridge was opened in 1997, connecting Scalpay to the settlement of Kyles on Harris. Media attention has recently been drawn to angling on Harris, and Tarbert in particular. Local fishermen have been targeting large
Common Skate in the area and have had prolific catches, mainly from West Loch Tarbert, in autumn and winter. There is an application for the
Scottish shore record of although a fish estimated at was later landed. These catches have attracted the attention of the local and national press and sea angling's leading magazines. ==Economy and transport==