Coordinates: 57°55′N 6°50′W / 57.91, -6.83
Harris (Na Hearadh in Scottish Gaelic pronounced [nə hɛɾəɣ]) is the southern part of the largest island of the Western Isles of Scotland or Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar). The northern part of the island is called Lewis (Leòdhas). Despite the use of the terms 'Isle of Lewis' and 'Isle of Harris', the two names 'Harris' and 'Lewis' refer to the two parts of the same island. Lewis is, in general, the lower lying part of the island with Harris being the more mountainous.
Geography
Harris divides naturally into northern and southern parts which are separated by West Loch Tarbert. These halves are joined by a narrow isthmus at the main settlement of Tarbert (An Tairbeart or Tairbeart na Hearadh). The bedrock of Harris is largely Lewisian gneisses, which were laid down in the Precambrian period, interspersed with granite intrusions. One of these intrusions forms the summit plateau of the mountain Roinebhal. The granite here is anorthosite, and is similar in composition to rocks found in the mountains of the Moon.[2][3]
Harris was previously part of Inverness-shire, under older administrative divisions. In the 2001 census, Harris had a usually resident population of 1,984.[1]
Economy and transport
In common with many parts of the Highlands and Islands Harris has numerous single-track roads with passing lanes at intervals. Ferries sail from Tarbert to Uig in Skye.
Harris is also known for Harris tweed, although it is mostly now made in Lewis.
Education
The Sir E. Scott secondary school in Tarbert serves the whole of the Isle of Harris and Scalpay. This school has a primary and secondary department and can educate up to sixth year. The current headmaster is Gordon Macdonald.[4] The largest photovoltaic cell installation in Scotland is a 21 kWp system at the school.[5]
Religion
-
Harris has a largely Presbyterian population that practices sabbatarianism and all retail outlets are shut on Sunday.[6] This area has been described as the last bastion of fundamentalist Calvinism in the UK and there was controversy in 2006 when Caledonian MacBrayne decided to commence operating a ferry service on Sundays.[7]
Etymology
Harris is most likely to be the island referred to as Adru (meaning thick, stout or bulky) on Ptolemy's map of the British Isles. Most of the place names on Harris come from Old Norse. Hérað means "a type of administrative district" and possibly comes from an alteration of an unknown Pictish/Gaelic original.
North Harris
North Harris, adjoining Lewis, contains Clisham (An Cliseam), the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at 799 metres. 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 (Scalpaigh na Hearadh).
In March 2003 the 62,500 acre North Harris Estate was purchased[8] by development trust the North Harris Trust on behalf of the local community.[9][10] In April 2006 the Trust hosted the Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company conference "Community Energy: Leading from the Edge"[11] in Tarbert. In early 2008 the Trust received planning consent for three 86 metre (282 ft) wind turbines to be located at Monan.[12] 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.[13]
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) which is under the care of Historic Scotland, is the most elaborate surviving medieval church in the Hebrides after Iona Abbey, and Leverburgh (An Tòb na Hearadh or An t-Òb na Hearadh) from which a ferry sails 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 road which runs along the east coast of Harris (from south of Tarbert to Rodel) is known colloquially as the "Golden Road" as it cost so much money to build, when it was built in 1897. It runs through the area of Harris known as Bays through the coastal townships Lickisto (Liceasto), Geocrab (Geòcrab), Manish (Mànais), Flodabay (Fleòideabhagh), Ardvay (Àird Mhighe), Finsbay (Fionnsbhagh) and Lingerbay (Lingreabhagh).
Of all the beaches on South Harris, Luskentyre and Scarista are considered by many to be the most spectacular. The scenery is some of the most breathtakingly beautiful in Scotland. From Luskentyre, the island of Taransay, where the BBC Television series Castaway 2000 was recorded, is seen most clearly. At Scarista the scene is much more sporting, as it is often the venue for surfing and kite buggying. Nearby the Harris Golf Club offers well kept greens and astounding views, but there is no play on Sundays. Scarista is the birthplace of the author Finlay J. MacDonald. Finlay wrote about growing up on Harris in the 1930s in his books: Crowdie and Cream, The Corncrake and the Lysander and Crotal and White and paints a very vivid and humorous picture of Hebridean life.
Tarbert
Tarbert is the main port and capital village of Harris. The name Tarbert comes from the Norse tairbeart meaning draw-boat. Tarbert is a community of approximately 500 located on a narrow strip of land between between Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert. The village has the main ferry terminal, local tourist information and a range of small shops are available, including the Harris Tweed Shop overlooking the main access road to the Cal Mac ferry terminal and AD Munros general grocery store on the main street.
Recent media attention has surrounded 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 through the winter. There is an application for the Scottish shore record of 183 lbs although a subsequently caught fish in the estimation of 204 lbs has been landed. These catches have attracted the attention of the local [14] and national [15] press and also sea angling’s leading magazines.
Media and the arts
Tinted shots of parts of the island were used by Stanley Kubrick as the surface of Jupiter in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.[16]
See also
References
External links
|
