Luskentyre (Losgaintir in Gaelic) means 'headland fort', although there is no evidence of a fort in the area. Beautiful beach though!

South Harris is a gem in the already outstanding Outer Hebrides. From Tarbert in the north to Rodel in the south, South Harris is just incredible, with white sand beaches comparable to tropical islands (only without the crowds!), a rugged, rocky landscape and scattered with fascinating historical sites.

A full loop of the island can be driven, and even if you’re not staying long, we highly recommend driving this route to take in the island. From Tarbert, a journey down the west coast takes you past beaches including Luskentyre and Scarista, two of the Hebrides’ most famous beaches. Yet if you choose to stop here, chances are you’ll have them all to yourself!

At the southern tip of Harris is Rodel and St Clement’s Church, a grand medieval church containing stone carvings and an impressive tower featuring carved motifs.

The road continues up the west coast, winding around intricate coastline deeply indented by sea inlets. The more northerly section of this is known as the ‘golden road’, reportedly in reference to the high cost of building, but could equally refer to the wonderful amber glow of the peaty, heather landscape in the sun. It’s hard to describe the magical atmosphere created by the rugged texture of the landscape, the ever-changing sea views and the feeling that life out here has changed little over the years, the residents of South Harris living life at a relaxed pace on the edge of the Atlantic.

Back in Tarbert, you can shop for the world-famous Harris Tweed, woven in the Outer Hebrides using traditional methods and made into a range of traditional and contemporary textiles, or available to buy by the meter to make your own. Don’t miss a visit to the Harris Distillery too, distilling gin and whisky and with an excellent café on the side!

If you have a whole day to spare on your visit, we can’t recommend a visit to St Kilda highly enough. Leaving from Leverburgh, a 3-hour journey by boat will take you to one of the most spectacular locations in the British Isles: St Kilda World Heritage Site archipelago. These incredible islands feature towering cliffs and sea stacks, and some of the country’s most abundant seabird populations. A trip out here is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

South Harris is a must-do on your visit to the Hebrides, even if you only have time for a loop around its coast. If you have the time, stop for a while to enjoy the beaches, explore St Clements Church or just admire the scenery on this spectacularly beautiful island.