Harris is actually part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides which lies 24 miles off the north west coast of Scotland. Lewis and Harris are frequently referred to as two separate islands, but they are in fact all part of one island, over 100 miles long. Harris is the more southerly part, and is more mountainous in comparison to the relatively flat, low lying land of Lewis to the north.
Harris is well known for its spectacular beaches, which are more reminiscent of the Caribbean than the north of Scotland! Follow the Golden Road to Scarista or Luskentyre to discover miles of white sand, clear blue seas and most likely no-one to bother you other than perhaps one of the local sheep.
The main settlement on Harris is the village of Tarbert (population about 550). From here you can take a ferry to Skye if you fancy doing a bit of island hopping. The village is also home to the Isle of Harris Distillery which opened in 2015. Its Hearach single malt whisky is still quietly maturing in oak casks and won’t be ready for some time yet, but meantime you can take a tour of the facility and sample its other product: Harris Gin. The gin is infused with sugar kelp, a seaweed harvested locally by hand, which imparts a dry, maritime note – quite delicious!
*If you’re travelling in the Highlands just now please be advised to avoid the Glenmore / Loch Morlich area due to wildfire 🥲**UPDATE - 14:15 on 16 July
Emergency services and partners continue to tackle a large-scale fire near Ryvoan Bothy. The emergency response is being coordinated at a national level involving the Scottish Government, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Police Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Forestry and Land Scotland, the Park Authority and multiple other partners.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that the fire is currently affecting an area of approximately six squared kilometres. We are asking the public to follow the following guidance:
- Please do not travel to the area or attempt to access Glenmore Forest Park, Loch Morlich or the surrounding area while firefighting operations are ongoing. A strict cordon remains in place and road closures continue to support the emergency response.
- Those impacted by evacuations will have been contacted and we would ask everyone to cooperate fully with Police Scotland and other relevant authorities for their safety.
- Residents in Aviemore and surrounding areas are asked to close windows and doors to prevent smoke entering.
-Anyone with known respiratory conditions nearby is encouraged to contact 111 if they experience any difficulties. Contact 999 in an emergency.
Thermal drone footage captured by Park Authority staff last night has helped inform fire fighting efforts and highlight the scale of the fire, but the extent of the damage and the cause is not yet known.
Overnight emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff were on the scene working tirelessly to control the fire. We are deeply grateful for their efforts, and those of the businesses and local community providing support to those affected.
We will provide further updates when we have them.
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Happy 250th birthday to the USA! 🇺🇸🏴
Did you know Edinburgh Castle is home to one of the earliest depictions of the Star Spangled Banner outside of North America?
Deep inside the vaults of the castle, back in about 1780, Americans captured during the Revolutionary War were incarcerated in the castle prisons. One prisoner scratched out a faint image of a ship flying the Stars and Stripes on his wooden cell door. A quiet act of defiance by a sailor far from home, you can still see this if you visit the vaults today!
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