As more and more of Scotland is 'discovered' by more and more visitors, it becomes more and more difficult to find beautiful parts of the country which remain truly peaceful and unspoiled. The Hebridean islands of Lewis and Harris could be looked on as the last frontier in this respect, as indeed they are in purely geographical terms, for apart from lonely St Kilda there is nothing beyond until you hit the east coast of America. (With a 50% decrease in ferry fares last year, it is, moreover a frontier that can be easily crossed.)
In Leverburgh, a little crofting township on the south coast of Harris is Dunmorag, a typical wee whitewashed, detached cottage, one of many equally typically dotted around the hills in this scattered community, which overlooks Loch Ob (where otters may be seen) and the Sound of Harris.
This is a bright and sunny cottage which, double glazed, efficiently heated by electric storage heaters, and with a cheerful open fire in the comfortable sitting room, is a cosy base for all seasons. Iit is a perfect romantic retreat for a couple, or, if they simply won't let you escape on your own, there is a double bed-settee in the fully equipped studio annex for extra guests (charge) Outside, the owners have built a decking area (furniture) which connects the cottage to the annex and which is excellent for sitting out with an evening drink.
Harris is superb walking country, and once again you will find the crowds of climbers that flock to the Cuillins and the Munros are absent here. There are both high level and low level walks aplenty, taking you either up or through the mountains. Just up the road from the cottage, at Northton (Taobh Tuath) there is a fabulous stretch of golden sands, mostly deserted, overlooked by the round topped hill of Chaipabhal. In the summer, there are guided walks which will introduce you to the miraculous machair, the salt-enriched coastal grasslands of the northern isles, which in summer are carpeted with wild flowers. The rocks of Harris, composed of Lewis gneiss, are amongst the oldest in the world, thrown up some 3000 million years ago, so this place is also heaven for geologists.
The cottage is not far from the harbour where a ferry plies from Leverburgh to North Uist, through one of the most tortuous channels in Scotland. The 60 minute trip provides a great opportunity for glimpsing whales, seals, dolphins and birds. There is a 9-hole golf course right alongside the ocean at Scarista (5m) and a tennis court at Bunabhainneader also right alongside the ocean 25 miles away. In Tarbert (18m) you'll find a beautiful new indoor swimming pool with spa-pool and sauna. Mountain bikes can be hired locally. Both loch and sea fishing are available locally. All in all, this is a wonderful place to explore, or just be as active or as indolent as you like
Leverburgh has shops and cafes and there are three good restaurants within a four mile radius (one close to the harbour). And before you go home, why not buy the ultimate memento - a suit length of real Harris Tweed, the manufacture of which is still a flourishing cottage industry on the island?
Bed linen and towels are INCLUDED. Use of mountain bikes, golf sets, tennis racquets are INCLUDED at clients' own risk. Heating is by electric CH (INCLUDED), and open-fire. We regret no pets or smokers. Broadband connection available (charge).
