We're staying in Stornoway for a few night this June and for one day that is sort of unplanned, I was thinking of heading south to Tarbert, then to Luskentyre Beach, and maybe all the way to the south tip for lunch at the Anchorage. Anything else we should see/do while in that neck of the woods? Is the east road through Finsbay worth the extra time? A couple of miles of easy hike would be good after lunch although Luskentyre may provide that if we change the order. Maybe the drive down to the south would be better spent wandering around Tarbert?
Posted by
752 posts
Luskentyre, Seilebost and Sgarasta beaches are amazing, and a real highlight of Harris. The Rodel Church is also worth a visit, beautiful stone carvings. The Anchorage is showing as permanently closed at this point, but check when you’re there to see if it will reopen with a new owner. I did the full loop back to Tarbert, lovely but twisty.
If the weather is fine, perhaps pick up a picnic in Tarbert and eat at the beach. Tarbert looks like a few more shops have opened since I was there. Near Tarbert is the Eagle Observatory, it was too windy the day I was there, but could make an interesting walk.
Posted by
OP
Mountains of S. Oregon
605 posts
I did a Street View drive-around in Tarbert, and there really isn't much there. Besides picking up picnic supplies at the grocer, not many choices. I probably allotted too much time to poke around. I planned this trip pre-pandemic, and I probably need to check a lot of my plans for closures - thanks for the observation about the Anchorage.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
1834 posts
The circuit of Harris makes a great day out - Take the A780 along the west coast for its wonderful beaches Luskentyre is my all time favourite, and do the short detour to the end of the road.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/harris/luskentyre/index.html
Come back up the unclassified road up the west coast through Finsbay for the windswept mountainous scenery. The road is often referred to as the Golden Road because it cost so much to build and is definitely worth doing. The two sides of the island are very different.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/harris/goldenroad/index.html
Do make a stop at Rodel church and go and have a look at the church.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/harris/stclements/index.html
Tarbert is small and can easily be done in 30 minutes... There aren't many food shoipos in TArbert - AD Munro is probably your best bet. You may be better off buying supplies for lunch in Storoway...
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/harris/tarbert/index.html
Walking on the west coast is easier than on the east coast. Ideas for walks...
There is a short walk from the end of the road at Luskentyre.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/outer-hebrides/luskentyre-sands.shtml
There is also a short walk a bit further across the south sands of Tràigh Iar to Macleod's Stone, a standing stone above the beach.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/outer-hebrides/macleods-stone.shtml
Alternatively there is a longer walk across the machair from Northton to a reuined chapel above the beach.
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/outer-hebrides/rubh-an-teampaill.shtml
As you drive along the Golden Road, you may notice the remains of old tracks which once led to (now long deserted) settlements. We've explored some of these in the past and they really do make you realise just how difficult it must have been to make a living here.
I've always preferred to do the drive anticlockwise, but really it doesn't matter - it is spectacular which ever way you go.
Posted by
OP
Mountains of S. Oregon
605 posts
Thanks for the great suggestions. Now I have to rearrange the whole day...
Posted by
New York City, NY, USA
5678 posts
When we did our trip to Harris and Lewis we did include a visit to Luskentyre Beach and it was amazing. We also visited a weaver, Donnie MacKay and I would highly recommend him and his apprentice.
We also wen to St Clements. Here's a link to the Historic Scotland info on it.
A photo I took of Luskentyre Beach is on my wall 20 fee from where I am sitting now. :)
PAm