Our events programme has been chosen to highlight the best of what Harris has to offer. Outdoor activities cover the varied terrain of the island from scree slopes to peat bogs, exposed ridge lines and steep climbs/descents.
Although this is part of the attraction of the outdoors, guides will work to mitigate and monitor these risks but please be aware an element of residual risk is still involved.
Please be honest about your fitness and ability before attending any events. We reserve the right to turn individuals away who do not have the correct equipment, e.g. walking boots and waterproofs for mountain walks.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at most events.
Although this is part of the attraction of the outdoors, guides will work to mitigate and monitor these risks but please be aware an element of residual risk is still involved.
Please be honest about your fitness and ability before attending any events. We reserve the right to turn individuals away who do not have the correct equipment, e.g. walking boots and waterproofs for mountain walks.
Well behaved dogs are welcome at most events.
Wednesday 6th May
North Harris Eagle Walk: RSPB Guided
The famous North Harris eagle walk offers a high likelihood of spotting both golden and white-tailed eagles. Discover more about the ecology and behaviour of these iconic birds of prey.
This walk is 7.2km / 4.5 miles mostly along a good 4x4 track, around 200m steady ascent and total duration is approximately 3½ hours.
The famous North Harris eagle walk offers a high likelihood of spotting both golden and white-tailed eagles. Discover more about the ecology and behaviour of these iconic birds of prey.
This walk is 7.2km / 4.5 miles mostly along a good 4x4 track, around 200m steady ascent and total duration is approximately 3½ hours.
An Cliseam Horseshoe: Guided Walk
9am - 5pm (approx.) This is the classic Harris mountain route taking in the highest point in the Western Isles, An Cliseam (799m). It follows the Scaladale River on an old, vague path, then the ascends abruptly to Mullach an Langa for the ridge walk. After reaching the Cliseam summit there is another fairly sharp descent to return to the glen.
This walk is 15 km / 9 miles and involves 1110m of ascent, estimated duration is around 8 hours.
9am - 5pm (approx.) This is the classic Harris mountain route taking in the highest point in the Western Isles, An Cliseam (799m). It follows the Scaladale River on an old, vague path, then the ascends abruptly to Mullach an Langa for the ridge walk. After reaching the Cliseam summit there is another fairly sharp descent to return to the glen.
This walk is 15 km / 9 miles and involves 1110m of ascent, estimated duration is around 8 hours.
Thursday 7th May
Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride: Scaladale Centre
10.15am - 4pm, Miabhaig / Eagle Observatory Car Park. Bring lunch and spare layers! Suitable for participants aged 18+ with a good level of fitness and some experience riding off road. Bikes and equipment can be provided on request at no extra cost, but people who have done a fair bit of riding usually have their own, unless they are here on holiday.
This is a non-competitive day out on the bikes, allowing us to get right into the wild Harris Hills and experience their beauty. There will be plenty of rest stops and some sections will be pushing! The group will aim to arrive at Bogha Glas by 3pm for a lift in minibus and trailer back to Miabhaig by 4pm.
10.15am - 4pm, Miabhaig / Eagle Observatory Car Park. Bring lunch and spare layers! Suitable for participants aged 18+ with a good level of fitness and some experience riding off road. Bikes and equipment can be provided on request at no extra cost, but people who have done a fair bit of riding usually have their own, unless they are here on holiday.
This is a non-competitive day out on the bikes, allowing us to get right into the wild Harris Hills and experience their beauty. There will be plenty of rest stops and some sections will be pushing! The group will aim to arrive at Bogha Glas by 3pm for a lift in minibus and trailer back to Miabhaig by 4pm.
Stulabhal to Uisgneabhal Ridge: Guided Walk
9am - 5pm (approx.), Gleann Miabhaig / Eagle Observatory Car Park. Following the track that runs past the eagle observatory, we will quickly head into the heart of North Harris. As height is gained on Stulabhal, the views down into Reasort and north into Lewis are truly spectacular. The ridge is a serious challenge so come prepared both physically and mentally!
This walk covers a distance of 21km / 13 miles with 1120m of ascent, estimated duration around 8 hours.
9am - 5pm (approx.), Gleann Miabhaig / Eagle Observatory Car Park. Following the track that runs past the eagle observatory, we will quickly head into the heart of North Harris. As height is gained on Stulabhal, the views down into Reasort and north into Lewis are truly spectacular. The ridge is a serious challenge so come prepared both physically and mentally!
This walk covers a distance of 21km / 13 miles with 1120m of ascent, estimated duration around 8 hours.
Friday 8th May
Youth Activity Day: Scaladale Centre
10am - 4.30pm, Scaladale Centre. Suitable for ages 8-13. A whole day of Scaladale activities! Includes a water sport (kayaking, coasteering, gorge scrambling or raft building) and two dry activities (archery, abseiling, orienteering, fencing or bush craft).
Children will need a swimsuit, towel, packed lunch and plastic bag to take wet gear home. Warm clothes, waterproofs and sturdy shoes are also required.
10am - 4.30pm, Scaladale Centre. Suitable for ages 8-13. A whole day of Scaladale activities! Includes a water sport (kayaking, coasteering, gorge scrambling or raft building) and two dry activities (archery, abseiling, orienteering, fencing or bush craft).
Children will need a swimsuit, towel, packed lunch and plastic bag to take wet gear home. Warm clothes, waterproofs and sturdy shoes are also required.
Tiorga Mòr & Ceartabhal: Guided Walk
9am - 1.30pm, Leòsaid Track, 200m before Amhainnsuidhe Castle on the B887 . Beginning at the stunning Loch Leòsaid this walk takes in the summits of two lesser known mountains on the edge of the wilder parts of North Harris.
This walk covers 11km / 7 miles with a total ascent of 830m, estimated duration is over 4 hours.
9am - 1.30pm, Leòsaid Track, 200m before Amhainnsuidhe Castle on the B887 . Beginning at the stunning Loch Leòsaid this walk takes in the summits of two lesser known mountains on the edge of the wilder parts of North Harris.
This walk covers 11km / 7 miles with a total ascent of 830m, estimated duration is over 4 hours.
Saturday 9th May
Family Mountain Bike Ride: Scaladale Centre
10.15am - 1pm, Lacasdail Lochs (the first car park exactly 2 miles east of Tarbert). Family ride that includes bike hire and equipment suitable for ages 10 and above. Ideal for those that have done little or no mountain biking before, but are confident on two wheels. Qualified guides will be on hand to offer coaching and safety points.
The route follows the Hebridean Way from Urgha through to Maraig with a minibus return.
10.15am - 1pm, Lacasdail Lochs (the first car park exactly 2 miles east of Tarbert). Family ride that includes bike hire and equipment suitable for ages 10 and above. Ideal for those that have done little or no mountain biking before, but are confident on two wheels. Qualified guides will be on hand to offer coaching and safety points.
The route follows the Hebridean Way from Urgha through to Maraig with a minibus return.
Giolabhal to Sgaoth Horseshoe: Guided Walk
9am - 1.30pm, Ceann an Ora Layby. The lesser walked Harris horseshoe is no less impressive than its big brother. Its distinct character of wildness in such close proximity to the stunning views down into Tarbert and along the Bays of Harris is not to be missed.
This walk covers a total distance of 10km / 6 miles and 870m ascent, estimated duration over 4 hours.
9am - 1.30pm, Ceann an Ora Layby. The lesser walked Harris horseshoe is no less impressive than its big brother. Its distinct character of wildness in such close proximity to the stunning views down into Tarbert and along the Bays of Harris is not to be missed.
This walk covers a total distance of 10km / 6 miles and 870m ascent, estimated duration over 4 hours.
Harris and the Highlands Workshop: Ruairidh Macilleathain
2 - 5pm, Tarbert Community Centre. Harris and the Highlands: understanding and enjoying the Gaelic landscape. This 3 hour workshop, led by broadcaster, writer and environmental educator Ruairidh Macilleathain, will give non Gaelic speakers tools to better understand and pronounce the place names of the mountainous landscape of Harris and the Highlands.
Although the workshop will concentrate on our Gaelic heritage, it will also give some consideration to common Norse naming elements.
2 - 5pm, Tarbert Community Centre. Harris and the Highlands: understanding and enjoying the Gaelic landscape. This 3 hour workshop, led by broadcaster, writer and environmental educator Ruairidh Macilleathain, will give non Gaelic speakers tools to better understand and pronounce the place names of the mountainous landscape of Harris and the Highlands.
Although the workshop will concentrate on our Gaelic heritage, it will also give some consideration to common Norse naming elements.
Fèis Finale
7pm - 12 midnight, Tarbert Community Centre. Our festival will draw to close with a talk from Ruairidh Macilleathain on the language and landscape of ben and bog. Pictures and stories will be shared from the previous four days.
Traditional music group Iron Midden from the Isle of Skye will then play us into the wee small hours with a bit of a ceilidh.
7pm - 12 midnight, Tarbert Community Centre. Our festival will draw to close with a talk from Ruairidh Macilleathain on the language and landscape of ben and bog. Pictures and stories will be shared from the previous four days.
Traditional music group Iron Midden from the Isle of Skye will then play us into the wee small hours with a bit of a ceilidh.