Harris 143565 220108426 2008-06-18T09:21:04Z Van helsing 1099150 de-link {{otheruses}} {{Infobox UK place | official_name= Harris | gaelic_name= Na Hearadh | static_image= | population= 1,984<ref name= Pop/> | map_type= [[Image:IsleofHarris.png|200px|The Isle of Lewis]] | latitude= 57.91 | longitude= -6.83 | country= Scotland | os_grid_reference= NB155005GB | post_town = ISLE OF HARRIS | postcode_area= HS | postcode_district= HS3 | dial_code= 01859 | constituency_westminster= [[Na h-Eileanan an Iar (UK Parliament constituency)|Na h-Eileanan an Iar]] | parish= <!-- if this place is within a larger parish --> | scots_name= | unitary_scotland= [[Outer Hebrides|Na h-Eileanan Siar]] | lieutenancy_scotland= [[Outer Hebrides|Western Isles]] | constituency_scottish_parliament= [[Western Isles (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Western Isles]] | other_language_name= <!-- any other alternative language name--> | other_language= <!-- any other alternative language name--> | language= [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]] | language1= [[English language|English]] }} '''Harris''' (''Na Hearadh'' in [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]] {{pronounced|nə hɛɾəɣ}}) is the southern part of the largest island of the [[Western Isles]] of [[Scotland]] or [[Outer Hebrides]] (''Na h-Eileanan Siar''). The northern part of the island is called [[Lewis]] (''Leòdhas''). Despite the use of the terms 'Isle of Lewis' and 'Isle of Harris', the two names 'Harris' and 'Lewis' refer to the two parts of the same island. Lewis is, in general, the lower lying part of the island with Harris being the more mountainous. ==Geography== [[Image:Clisham.jpg|thumb|left|[[Clisham|An Cliseam]], Harris]] Harris divides naturally into northern and southern parts which are separated by [[West Loch Tarbert]]. These halves are joined by a narrow [[isthmus]] at the main settlement of [[Tarbert, Harris|Tarbert]] (''An Tairbeart'' or ''Tairbeart na Hearadh''). The bedrock of Harris is largely [[Lewis]]ian [[gneiss]]es, which were laid down in the [[Precambrian]] period, interspersed with [[granite]] intrusions. One of these intrusions forms the summit plateau of the mountain Roinebhal. The granite here is [[anorthosite]], and is similar in composition to rocks found in the mountains of the [[Moon]].<ref> McKirdy, Alan Gordon, John & Crofts, Roger (2007) ''Land of Mountain and Flood: The Geology and Landforms of Scotland''. Edinburgh. Birlinn. Page 94.</ref><ref>Gillen, Con (2003) ''Geology and landscapes of Scotland''. Harpenden. Terra Publishing. Pages 63-4.</ref> Harris was previously part of [[Inverness-shire]], under older administrative divisions. In the 2001 census, Harris had a usually resident population of 1,984.<ref name= Pop>[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/factfile/population/islandpopulations.htm "Island Populations"] Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Retrieved [[3 April]] [[2008]].</ref> ==Economy and transport== In common with many parts of the [[Highlands and Islands]] Harris has numerous [[single-track roads]] with passing lanes at intervals. [[ferry|Ferries]] sail from Tarbert to [[Uig, Skye|Uig]] in [[Isle of Skye|Skye]]. Harris is also known for [[Harris Tweed|Harris tweed]], although it is mostly now made in Lewis. ==Education== The Sir E. Scott secondary school in Tarbert serves the whole of the Isle of Harris and Scalpay. This school has a primary and secondary department and can educate up to sixth year. The current headmaster is Gordon Macdonald.<ref>[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/education/harrisaddresses.htm "Harris School Details"] Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Retrieved [[10 February]] [[2008]].</ref> The largest [[solar cell|photovoltaic]] cell installation in Scotland is a 21 kWp system at the school.<ref>[http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/press/041102.htm "Scotland's largest Sun Energy system installed in Western Isles"] ([[2 November]] [[2004]]) Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Press release. Retrieved [[31 August]] [[2007]].</ref> ==Religion== Harris has been described as the last bastion of fundamentalist [[Calvinism]] (see [[Outer Hebrides#Religion|Religion in the Outer Hebrides]]), and [[sabbatarianism]] is still a highly contentious issue. ==Etymology== Harris is most likely to be the island referred to as ''Adru'' (meaning thick, stout or bulky) on [[Ptolemy]]'s [[Geographia (Ptolemy)|map]] of the British Isles. Most of the place names on Harris come from [[Old Norse language|Old Norse]]. ''Hérað'' means "a type of administrative district" and possibly comes from an alteration of an unknown [[Picts|Pictish]]/Gaelic original. Trivia: as listed in the ancient history of the Irish, the Parthalonians - Greek Scythians, are listed as ancestors of the Irish/Gaelic peoples so the possible etymology could be from the Gk. Harisiou, Haralambou, are shortened to Harry/Haris/Hara, Hariklea. Anglisized: Charisiou, Chara. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} ==North Harris== [[Image:Old lazybeds on North Harris.jpg|right|thumb|Old ''[[lazy bed|feannagan]]'' on North Harris]] North Harris, adjoining [[Lewis]], contains [[Clisham]] (''An Cliseam''), the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides at 799 metres. The area is sparsely populated. Beyond Tarbert, the furthest settlement is [[Hushinish]] (''Hùisinis'') on the west coast. A bridge from the east coast links Harris to the island of [[Scalpay, Outer Hebrides|Scalpay]] (''Scalpaigh na Hearadh''). In March 2003 the 62,500 acre North Harris Estate was purchased<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/2810017.stm Islanders celebrate buy-out], BBC News Online, 1 March 2003</ref> by [[development trust]] the North Harris Trust on behalf of the local community.<ref>[http://www.north-harris.org "Welcome to The North Harris Trust - ''Urras Ceann a 'Tuath na Hearadh''"] North Harris Trust. Retrieved [[15 March]] [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.dtascot.org.uk/whatis.cfm "About Development Trusts"] DTA Scotland. Retrieved [[15 March]] [[2008]].</ref> In April 2006 the Trust hosted the [[Highlands and Islands Community Energy Company]] conference "Community Energy: Leading from the Edge"<ref>[http://www.hie.co.uk/hicecconference2006.html HICEC conference 2006]</ref> in [[Tarbert, Western Isles|Tarbert]]. In early 2008 the Trust received planning consent for three 86&nbsp;metre (282&nbsp;ft) wind turbines to be located at Monan.<ref>"North Harris community wind farm approved" (February 2008) ''John Muir Trust Journal'' No. 44.</ref> In 2008 [[Michael Russell|Mike Russell]], the Scottish [[environment minister]] announced that the North Harris Trust had begun canvassing local opinion about a proposal to create Scotland's third [[national park]] in the area.<ref>Ross, John (14th March 2008) "Island may be site of third national park". Edinburgh ''The Scotsman''.</ref> ==South Harris== [[Image:Scotland Harris 1.jpg|thumb|South Harris]] The southern part of Harris is less mountainous, with numerous unspoilt, white sandy beaches on the west coast. Its main settlements are [[Rodel]] (''Roghadal''), known for its medieval [[kirk]] of St. Clement (''Eaglais Chliamhain'') which is under the care of [[Historic Scotland]], is the most elaborate surviving medieval church in the [[Hebrides]] after [[Iona Abbey]], and [[Leverburgh]] (''An Tòb na Hearadh'' or ''An t-Òb na Hearadh'') from which a ferry sails to [[Berneray, North Uist, Scotland|Berneray]] (''Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh''), an island off the coast of [[North Uist]] (''Uibhist a Tuath''), to which it is joined by a causeway. The road which runs along the east coast of Harris (from south of Tarbert to Rodel) is known colloquially as the "Golden Road" as it cost so much money to build, when it was built in 1897. It runs through the area of Harris known as [[Bays, Harris|Bays]] through the coastal townships [[Lickisto]] (''Liceasto''), [[Geocrab]] (''Geòcrab''), [[Manish]] (''Mànais''), [[Flodabay]] (''Fleòideabhagh''), [[Ardvay]] (''Àird Mhighe''), [[Finsbay]] (''Fionnsbhagh'') and [[Lingerbay]] (''Lingreabhagh''). Of all the beaches on South Harris, Luskentyre and Scarista are considered by many to be the most spectacular. The scenery is some of the most breathtakingly beautiful in [[Scotland]]. From Luskentyre, the island of Taransay, where the BBC Television series [[Castaway 2000]] was recorded, is seen most clearly. At Scarista the scene is much more sporting, as it is often the venue for surfing and kite buggying. Nearby the Harris Golf Club offers well kept greens and astounding views, but there is no play on Sundays. Scarista is the birthplace of the author [[Finlay J. MacDonald]]. Finlay wrote about growing up on Harris in the 1930s in his books: ''Crowdie and Cream'', ''The Corncrake and the Lysander'' and ''Crotal and White'' and paints a very vivid and humorous picture of Hebridean life. ==Tarbert== Tarbert is the main port and capital village of Harris. The name Tarbert comes from the Norse tairbeart meaning draw-boat. Tarbert is a community of approximately 500 located on a narrow strip of land between between Loch Tarbert and West Loch Tarbert. The village has the main ferry terminal, local tourist information and a range of small shops are available, including the [[Harris Tweed]] Shop overlooking the main access road to the [[Cal Mac]] ferry terminal and AD Munros general grocery store on the main street. Recent media attention has surrounded angling on Harris and Tarbert in particular. Local fishermen have been targeting large [[Common skate]] in the area and have had prolific catches, mainly from West Loch Tarbert in autumn through the winter. There is an application for the [[Scotland|Scottish]] shore record of 183&nbsp;lbs although a subsequently caught fish in the estimation of 204&nbsp;lbs has been landed. These catches have attracted the attention of the local <ref>[http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=149235&command=displayContent&sourceNode=149218&contentPK=18750957&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch ''Press and Journal'' report]</ref> and national <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7057841.stm BBC NEWS | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | Record-breaking hope for big fish<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> press and also sea angling’s leading magazines. == Media and the arts == Tinted shots of parts of the island were used by [[Stanley Kubrick]] as the surface of [[Jupiter]] in the film ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey (film)|2001: A Space Odyssey]]''.<ref>[http://www.filmhebrides.com/ "Welcome to Film Hebrides"] filmhebrides.com. Retrieved [[26 September]] [[2007]].</ref> ==See also== * [[Lewis and Harris]] * [[History of the Outer Hebrides]] * [[Rockall]] == References == {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commonscat|Harris}} * [http://www.leverburgh.co.uk/ Information on South Harris and Leverburgh including photographs] * [http://www.explore-harris.com/ Information on the Isle of Harris by Explore Hebrides] * [http://www.absolutelynothing.co.uk/isleofharris/?cid=823&lang=en-gb Pictures of Harris] * [http://robinwilson.net/harris.html Panoramas of the Island] (QuickTime required) * [http://www.southharris.com/ Photographs and useful information about Harris] * [http://www.north-harris.org/ The North Harris Trust] * [http://www.virtualhebrides.com/harris/location/scarista/ Scarista Beach] {{Lewis and Harris}} {{Hebrides}} [[Category:Islands of the Outer Hebrides]] [[Category:Harris|*]] [[ca:Harris]] [[cy:Na Hearadh]] [[de:Harris (Insel)]] [[es:Harris]] [[fr:Harris (Écosse)]] [[gd:Na Hearadh]] [[gl:Harris]] [[nl:Na Hearadh]] [[pl:Harris]] [[ru:Харрис (остров)]] [[sv:Harris, Yttre Hebriderna]]