Out & About
The Outer Hebrides offers a full range of events and activities throughout the year. Whether your idea of the perfect holiday is to absorb the peaceful tranquility and natural beauty of the Island countryside; or indulge in rock climbing, cruising on the open water or high adrenalin sports.
The following activities can be arranged:
Outdoor
Sea Harris invite you to experience the breathtaking beauty & serenity of some the most fascinating Islands in the Outer Hebrides aboard the 'Enchanted Isle' offering daily trips out to the Shiants, St Kilda and other Island Cruises.
Whatever you would like your day trip to consist of, perhaps to take in some sea angling or to allow you to explore remote stretches of coastline at leisure, St Kilda Cruises are happy to cater to your group needs from family celebrations and corporate entertaining to societies and club outings. Although St Kilda is their main destination, they will visit other islands throughout the year by request. Destinations include:
- Shiant Isles
- Flannan Isles
- Rona
- Monach Isles
Boat trips around the sound of Harris can be arranged as well as water skiing and rubber tubing.
Fishing
The Outer Hebrides is a game angler's dream location and one that will fill you with all the emotions and all the pleasures associated with this wonderful and rewarding sport. Whether you are a solitary angler, form part of a larger group or are simply looking for a tranquil family vacation, the Outer Hebrides has it all - namely, some of the best summer salmon and trout fishing in Europe amidst spectacular scenery.
The best overall times to go fishing for the different species are shown in the diagram below, the darker the colour the better the season.
Spring fishing
The salmon season starts in February and, whilst there are occasional spring salmon around, they are generally not fished for. Fisheries normally choose to give the spring salmon the opportunity to run systems uninterrupted with a view to being able to spawn at the end of the season, thereby assisting in the regeneration of this much prized fish. The same approach is adopted by most fisheries for sea trout.
Brown trout fishing starts from 15th March and improves steadily with rising temperatures as the season progresses. Although anglers typically use floating lines to fish for brown trout early in the season, an intermediate line or sink tip can prove productive while the temperatures are still on the low side. Large brown trout are often caught throughout the season however some of the weightier fish, particularly the elusive ferox trout, tend to be caught in early and late season. April and May are generally considered good months for the larger fish.
Summer fishing
The main runs of salmon and sea trout for most fisheries within the Hebrides begin in early June and peak in the middle to the end of July, depending upon the tides and sufficient rain. Most rivers within the Outer Hebrides are spate rivers which rely heavily on precipitation to raise water levels and for this to coincide with salmon entering the river estuaries. It is a spectacular sight watching shoals of salmon at river mouths, eagerly awaiting the first signs of rain so they can make their journey up the rivers to their ancestral spawning beds. Once the rain appears it is an equally amazing sight to watch them take the river, fighting some formidable obstacles before them, leaping spectacularly over river falls and often falling back many times before finally winning the struggle. This is a sight that both anglers and tourists often stop and take in at Amhuinnsuidhe.
Sea trout are plentiful in the Outer Hebrides and some wonderful sport can be expected. They are normally fished for from June onwards although they are about much earlier in the season. Anglers can also expect to encounter sea trout at any time during the day as they are readily caught throughout daylight hours, and with the Hebrides boasting 22 hours of daylight in the height of summer, it's no wonder this is a chosen destination of so many anglers.
May and June are the best summer months for brown trout as there is an abundance of well conditioned, free-rising trout to be enjoyed. Anglers are asked to exercise some constraint on the amount of fish kept, as bags of 20, 30 and even more can be caught in one day to one rod.
Autumn fishing
As we leave the warm summer days behind and the weather begins to cool, salmon and sea trout fishing can be very successful in the lochs. Fresh salmon and sea trout are still entering the rivers and lochs right up to, and beyond, the end of the season, although the numbers dwindle as the season and autumn draws to a close. This is the time of year when anglers are asked to pay particular attention to the fish they keep as they will be becoming coloured as they ready themselves for the important task of spawning later in the year. This is also the time of year when anglers may be lucky enough to encounter some of the larger fish that enter the Hebridean waters - with fish of over twenty pounds caught onoccasions.
The autumn is a beautiful time of year in the Outer Hebrides and this can only add to the already exhilarating experience of fishing for salmon. However, anglers may easily experience all of the four seasons in one day so the challenge is not for the faint hearted, but for those that do venture out the day's angling could be one of great reward as the larger fish are more plentiful. The salmon season ends at different times depending on the fishery - anytime between the beginning and the end of October.
Sea trout are more abundant at this time of year and although there are a lot of coloured fish around, there are also fresh run, sea-liced fish right up to the end of the season which is typically the same as the salmon season.
In September, brown trout are fairly plentiful although they may begin to lose condition towards the back end of the month as they ready themselves for spawning, consequently, care should be taken especially when returning them. Some of the larger specimens are often caught at this time of year so some excellent sport can be expected. The elusive Arctic char are also about in the autumn and can, on occasions, be tempted with a fly.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
Harris is probably better known for the lochs and rivers of the Amhuinnsuidhe Castle Estate, formerly the North Harris Estate and commonly known in angling circles as Amhuinnsuidhe. The quality of the sea trout and salmon fishing in Amhuinnsuidhe has an enviable reputation and caters for the more experienced fisherman as well as the novice, for whom instruction and guidance are readily available. There are seven freshwater systems, Lochs Voshimid, Scourst, Halladale, Ulladale, Ladies, Brunabhal and Loch A’Ghlinne.
For more information, contact Mr Innes Morrison, Estate Manager, at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle:
Tel: +44 (0) 1859560200
Fax: +44 (0) 1859560263
Email: info@amhuinnsuidhe.com
Borve Lodge Estate
The Borve Lodge Estate fisheries lie amongst some of the most beautiful scenery in the Outer Hebrides. The streams flow through rugged mountainous terrain and journey just a few kilometers down to the west coast and the famous white sandy beaches. Most of these streams provide excellent spawning for salmon and sea-trout and they flow in and out of numerous small lochs that provide the venues for targeting the returning adult fish.
The Estate's main sea-trout and salmon fishery is centred on the two lower lochs on the Laxdale River. Located at the head of Luskentyre Estuary, Loch Fincastle is approx. 3ha., it is only just above sea-level and is only separated from the sea at high tides by the dam wall. Loch Fincastle provides the cream of the sport in the early season. With fresh run sea-trout and grilse normally arriving late June/early July. Loch Fincastle has two boats, and being small and shallow it is easy to cover and to become familiar with the best lies. Loch Fincastle and the nearby sea-pools are also very fishable from the bank.
For more information, contact Mr Gordon Cumming, Estate Manager, at Borve Lodge Estate
Tel: +44 (0) 1859550358
Email: gcborve@aol.com
Laxdale Lochs
The Laxadale Lochs lie in the village of Urgha, a picturesque little village just to the east of Tarbert in the Isle of Harris.
The fishery consists of two lochs which are very quick to rise due to the water catchment, and slow to fall allowing any fish lying in the estuary a free passage in to the lochs. The fishery is easily accessible as it lies by the roadside. Even though this small but productive fishery is by the roadside anglers have the experience of feeling as if they are miles from the hustle and bustle of town and city life. It is surrounded by beautiful and spectacular scenery typical of Harris.
Salmon of 15lb and over are caught most seasons, sea trout run up to 4lb with the potential of heavier and
brown trout of 6lb and over can be expected.
Albannach Guided Tours
Tailor-made tours & tour planning throughout the Hebrides
- fully qualified & experienced guide
- quality car & minibus tours
- guiding for coach groups
- optional airport & ferry terminal pickup
- optional accommodation package
- tailor-made tours for individuals & groups
- experience the beauty, wildlife & heritage of Scotland
- hear Gaelic spoken
- famous site tours - visit film & literary locations
The Scaladale Centre is a newly built residential centre, situated in Ardvourlie on the Isle of Harris in the beautiful Western Isles. The centre accommodates 28 people and boasts many modern facilities and exciting activities from kayaking and coasteering to guided walks.
Isle of Harris golf club
Scarista, on the west coast of the magical Island of Harris and only 20 minutes from Tarbert, is surely one of the world's finest settings for the game of golf. To the west, the Atlantic breakers thunder onto sparkling white sands. To the north lie the spectacular mountains of North Harris. To the south, the hills of the Uists lie beyond Toe Head peninsula. This year's Open Championship will be held on 16th August 2008 and further details will be posted on the website soon.
Lewis Highland Games 2008
The 2008 Games looks to be yet another exciting event for the now well established Lewis Highland Games in Tong. Saturday 19th July will see the welcome return of last year's favourite event the stunning free fall parachute display by the Royal Regiment of Scotland Golden Lions and in keeping with a military theme the Games will host for the first time a living medieval village.
Hebridean Celtic Festival
The reputation of Hebcelt is now legendary; a unique location, fabulous music, and a fantastically warm and enthusiastic audience who welcome 'home' all guarantees this event is one of the biggest homecoming parties of the year! Join us for this year's celebrations. HCF from 16-19th July.
Wildlife
Harris has a large and varied wildlife population. Several wildlife types that are rare elsewhere are remarkably common on Harris. For example Golden Eagles nest at a higher density here than almost anywhere else in Europe. The otter populates the whole of Harris, as do Polecats. The Common Seal (in fact now very uncommon) is resident here, whilst the Grey or Atlantic Seal, rare elsewhere, is common in Harris. In addition to several types of Dolphin and Porpoise, Whales are back. Of the Baleen Whales, there are Minke, Fin and Sei Whales. The great Humpback Whale is believed to be back in our waters. Other Whales to be seen include the toothed Pilot and the Killer Whales.
Tarbert
With a population of around 500, Tarbert is the capital of Harris. The village only dates back to 1779 when it was established as a fishing settlement. Gradually it took over from Rodel which had always been the historical capital of Harris.
Here you will find a branch of the Bank of Scotland, two grocery stores, post office, tourist information centre, hairdressers, and a filling station. One of the island's Asian families runs a shop in the main street which sells clothes, shoes, gifts, toiletries, household goods and just about everything you can think of. Mobile shops selling bakery products, fish and groceries tour the island and make regular stops in Tarbert. A mobile Royal Bank of Scotland also visits the village and other parts of Harris.
Harris Tweed Shop
On Main Street, the Harris Tweed Shop sells a selection of souvenirs, clothing, postcards and books, while 'Islands' is another craft shop just opposite.
Luskentyre Harris Tweed
A holiday in the Isle of Harris isn’t quite complete without visiting Luskentyre Harris Tweed where weaver John Mackay is based. John Mackay first started weaving with his father at the age of 12 and has been doing so ever since. In 1991 he and his wife Maureen set up Luskentyre Harris Tweed Company from their home and provide worthwhile demonstrations of weaving tweed the traditional way. Also, when you see the Harris Tweed logo you know that you are getting a unique tweed made only in the Outer Hebrides.
You can email John Mackay: enquiries@luskentyreharristweed.co.uk
Alternatively you can phone to arrange an appointment : 01859550261
Maureen and Donald John Mackay
Luskentyre Harris Tweed Company
6 Luskentyre
Isle of Harris
Outer Hebrides
Soay Studio
Soay Studio at the western end of the village (go past the Harris Hotel, then the school and old hostel building and you'll see signs on the right-hand side of the road) is run by Margaret Mackay who spins and dyes wool to make jumpers, waistcoats, hats, socks, etc. She also uses local materials to create collage pictures, cushion covers, peg bags and such like. The wool is dyed in huge cauldrons outside using things like nettles, brambles, docks, willow bark, heather, peat soot, meadow sweet, crotal and alum. Examples of plants can be seen in the gardens. You can buy balls of her dyed wool to take home and knit yourself. Or you can ask her to make up the garment of your choosing and she will post it to you when it's finished.
An Seallam Genealogy Centre
The Genealogy Centre at Northton run by Bill Lawson and Chris Lawson. Bill has been specializing in the Family and Social History in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland for over 40 years and is widely recognized as a world authority in this area.
St Clements Church, Rodel
St Clements Church at Rodel became the main church of the Clan Macleod in the early 1500’s, when the 8th Chief of the Clan rebuilt the church on a much older religious site. In 1528 he built a tomb for himself which is one of the finest preserved in Scotland today. In the church also are the tombs of William the 9th Chief of the Clan Macleod of Harris and Dunvegan.
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
This magnificent building is situated by the B887 in North Harris overlooking a river cascading into the sea over a rock slide. In August this is a frequent spot to see salmon leaping. The castle was built in the 1860’s for Lord and Lady Dunmore who owned most of North Harris.
Bunabhainneader Whaling Station
This whaling station was set up in 1904 and was used intermittently up to the 1950’s. It was built and used by Norwegians (who ironically now own one of the biggest Salmon fish-farming companies in Harris. Most of the whales were caught around the islands of St Kilda, Rockall and the Flannan Isles.
Scalpay bridge
Now a famous landmark linking the mainland of Harris to the Isle of Scalpay. It was officially opened in 1997 by Tony Blair UK Prime Minister.
