Harris

This article is about Harris in Scotland. For other usages see Harris (disambiguation).

Harris (Scottish Gaelic: Na Hearadh) is the southern part of the main island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. It divides naturally into northern and southern parts, joined by a narrow isthmus at the main settlement of Tarbert, from which ferries sail to Uig on Skye. Harris was traditionally part of Inverness-shire.

North Harris, adjoining Lewis, contains the Clisham, the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at 799 metres. The area is sparsely populated. Beyond Tarbert, the main settlement is Hushinish on the west coast. A bridge from the east coast links Harris to Scalpay.

The southern part of Harris is also mountainous, with a sandy beach on the west coast. It main settlements are Rodel, known for its parish church decorated with a sheila-na-gig, and Leverburgh from which a ferry sails to Berneray, an island off of North Uist.

Harris is also known for Harris tweed, although it is mostly now made in Lewis.

Flag

The Harris flag is very similar to the flag of Lewis, its northern neighbour. It consists of four horizontal blue and three horizontal white stripes, in a reversed pattern from that of Lewis (four white and three blue). Whether the Lewis and Harris flags share the same origin is a subject for debate ? whilst they share the same island, Lewis used to be part of Ross-shire and Harris, Inverness-shire.