The Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides offers some of the best beaches in Britain along its west coast. Here we share our top 10 Harris beaches
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Hùisinis (Hushinish)
Huisinis is a lovely bay of white sand and aquamarine waters at the end of a remote road that passes the Harris hills, where Golden Eagles can be spotted, and the luxurious Amhuinnsuidhe Castle that is now used as a hunting lodge. The machair is wonderful along the coast line here and bursts with red clover, birds-foot-trefoil and daisies amongst other colourful flowers. A south facing beach, it is more generally protected from the stronger Westerlies and is a great place to paddle board and swim.
Where is Hùisinis on the north west coast of Harris
Start point Hùisinis car park, HS3 3AX . Grid ref. NA 99253 12063
Directions to the beach the car park is adjacent to the beach
How to get there: Tarbet north on A858; turn left onto B887 and follow for 20km to the end of the partly single-track road.
2. Tràigh Mheilein
Close to Hushinish this large stretch of tranquil, pure white sands is stunningly located opposite the island of Scarp, famed for its Rocket Mail. It can only be reached by walking north from Huisinis along the coast. This route does involve a bit of scrambling but the views and experience makes it very well worth it.
Where is Tràigh Mheilein beach on the north west coast of Harris, on the coast path north of Hùisinis
Start point Hùisinis car park, HS3 3AX. Grid ref. NA 99253 12063
Directions to the beach Walk along this route
How to get there: Tarbet north on A858; turn left onto B887 and follow to the end at the stunning sands of Hùisinis. There is a parking area and toilets here.
Refreshments Great take-out food at Lorna’s Larder, Tarbert Marina
3. Crabhadail
Further around the coast still from Hushinish this is the most remote beach on Isle of Harris, surrounded by the mountains of North Harris, their misty peaks only add atmosphere to this incredibly located beach. Photo credit: “Loch Crabhadail Bay North Harris” by murdoch sutherland is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Where is Crabhadail beach on the north west coast of Harris
Start point Hùisinis car park, HS3 3AX . Grid ref. NA 99253 12063
Directions to the beach 45 minute walk along this route
How to get there Tarbet north on A858; turn left onto B887 and follow for 20km to the end of the partly single-track road.
Refreshments Great take-out food at Lorna’s Larder, Tarbert Marina
4. Luskentyre Beach (Losgaintir) – Traigh Rosamol
Luskentyre beach is regularly voted one of the best beaches in the world. At low tide it is possible to walk for miles from Luskentyre beach at one end to Seilebost beach in the other with the whole bay being one large area of white sand, and the ocean here every hue of aquamarine. Photo credit “Taransay from Luskentyre beach, Harris” by bob the lomond is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Where is Luskentyre beach west coast of Harris, south west of Tarbert on the A859
Start point Luskentyre car park, HS3 3HP. Grid ref. NG 067 998
Directions to the beach walk short distance from car park through grassy dunes to Traigh Rosamol; walk left for Luskentyre
How to get there: A859 south of Tarbert, turn right on a single-track road signed to Losgaintir to the end of the road, car park and toilets.
Refreshments Great home-bakes in an honesty box The Cake Shed Luskentyre
5. Seilebost Beach – Traigh Sheileboist
On the southern side of Luskentyre Bay with the sparkling blue and green waters of Taransay Sound and views to the mountains of Lewis make this a stunning place to swim and paddleboard. Access requires a short walk through the dunes. The beach is handy for a sip of Harris Gin and other goodies at the nearby Machair Kitchen. Photo credit “Tropical Beach” by fs999 is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Where Is Seilebost beach west coast of Harris, south of and connected to Luskentyre Beach
Start point Limited parking on the A859. Grid ref. NG 062 979
Directions to the beach From the A859, walk along the lane to Seilebost School, then beyond on the grass path through the dunes to the beach
How to get there: A859 south of Tarbert, to Seilibost Village
Refreshments Great food and amazing views at the Talla na Mara, Pairc Niseaboist, HS3 3AE, tel. 01859 503 900
6. Tràigh Niosaboist and Traigh Lar
There are two beautiful beaches on the west and east coast of the headland both with pure white sands, blue water, views of the Harris hills and across to Taransay. MacLeoyd’s standing stone stands atop the headland. The machair on the walk to the beaches is beautiful during the summer months.
Where Is Tràigh Niosaboist and Tràigh Lar west coast of Harris, near Seilebost beach; Traigh Lar beach is on the west side of the peninsula
Start point Horgobost campsite car park, HS3 3HR. Grid ref. NG 048 968; or from layby on A859
Directions to the beach Follow the path from the campsite car park to Tràigh Niosaboist; directly access Tràigh Lar from A859, crossing the stile next to the layby and follow a steep path down to the beach
How to get there A859 south of Tarbert, to Horgabost
Refreshments Great food and amazing views at the Talla na Mara,, Pairc Niseaboist, HS3 3AE, tel. 01859 503 900; fast food van at entrance to campsite, Blas bhon Iar
7. Traigh Mhor (Borve Beach)
Pristine white sands, aqua-marine waters, red-coloured rocks and rockpools, grassy dunes, and great views of Taransay and the Macleod Standing Stone/ Clach Macleoid. There are also lovely views across to the hill of Ceapabhal. Photo credit “Ceapabhal from Borve beach, Harris” by bob the lomondis licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Where is Borve Beach South of Horgabost on the A859
Start point Parking area at Bàgh Steinigidh on A859 just east of Scarista, HS3 3HX. Grid ref. NG 0190 938
Directions to the beach No designated path but possible to walk across field to reach the coast.
Access to the beach From the car park just off the A859.
How to get there A859 south of Horgabost
8. Scarista Beach – Sgarasta Mhor
For truly golden sands and exhilarating Atlantic rollers this is a 3 km of golden sandy beach on the west coast of Harris. Stunning views across the Sound of Taransay to the island, once the setting for the TV series ‘Castaway’, and the mountains of Lewis to the north. The flower-studded machair make the perfect the backdrop. Photo credit “Scarista beach” by Wordshore is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Where is Scarista beach west coast of Harris
Start point Layby on A859, HS3 3HX. Grid ref. NF 999 922
Directions to the beach From the small layby alongside the A859 at the south end of Scarista village, go through the metal gate and follow the signed track to the beach
How to get there North of Leverburgh on A859, just before reaching Scarista village
Refreshments Delicious home-baked goodies, coffee roaster and stunning views, Temple Harris, Northton; and craft bakery and great soups, Croft 36, Northton
9. Northton Beach – Traigh na h-Uidhe
A small bay with white sand and views towards the islands of Pabbay and Berneray, close to a great cafe in Northton village. There is also a chance to walk up Ceapabhal for wonderful panoramic views. Photo credit “Beaches below Cleapabhal” by Wordshore is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Where is Northton beach South west coast of Harris
Star point Car park, Northton, HS3 3JA. Grid ref. NF 995 894
Directions to the beach Walk short distance north and at end of village turn left down a sandy lane to the beach.
How to get there North of Leverburgh on A859, left following signs to An Taobh Tuath/Northton
Refreshments Delicious home-baked goodies, coffee roaster and stunning views, Temple Harris, Northton; and craft bakery and great soups, Croft 36, Northton
10. Tràigh na Cleabhaig and Tràigh an Teampaill
Walk to Tràigh na Cleabhaig, then beyond to a great deserted beach and romantic ruins of stone chapel dating from 1528 at Tràigh an Teampaill. Photo credit”Church at Northton” by Odd Wellies is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Where is Tràigh na Cleabhaig west coast of Harris
Start point Car park, Northton, HS3 3JA. Grid ref. NF 995 894
Directions to the beach Walk north through village, go through gates onto track through fields. Take the left fork to keep to the coast, then through sand dunes to arrive at Tràigh na Cleabhaig then walk a little beyond to Tràigh an Teampaill . Distance 7km return
How to get there North of Leverburgh on A859, left following signs to An Taobh Tuath/Northton
Refreshments Delicious home-baked goodies, coffee roaster and stunning views, Temple Harris, Northton; and craft bakery and great soups, Croft 36, Northton
Most of these beaches can be visited along our fantastic cycling circuit of Harris. For ideas for coastal circuits around other islands in the Outer Hebrides, check out our book, Islandeering: adventures around the outside edge of Britain’s hidden islands.
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