Area Info

No visitor to Harris should miss the opportunity of visiting St.Kilda, the UNESCO World Heritage site 40 miles out in the Atlantic. Astonishing bird life, amazing history, an unforgettable adventure. Fantastic day trips are organised by Kilda Cruises sailing from Leverburgh (www.kildacruises.co.uk).

There is a unique sea-edge golf course at Scarista – ten minutes from Beachside on the road to Leverburgh, but please remember there is no golfing on a Sunday (www.harrisgolf.com)

Excellent salmon and sea-trout is available locally, by arrangement with the Borve Lodge Estate (01859-550358 or 07810-023255) on Lochs Fincastle and Laxdale. There are several other lochs with plenteous brown trout. Sea fishing trips can be arranged through the Isle of Harris Sea Tours in nearby Tarbert (www.isleofharrisseatours.co.uk)

There are many galleries on the island where top-quality paintings and island photographs can be viewed and bought. The nearest studio to Beachside is Sparrowhouse Gallery, in the old Seilebost School, where Fiona Simes paints amazing natural and wildlife scenes. Just along the road from Seilebost is Talla na Mara, where the West Harris Trust…

There are big supermarkets in Stornoway (Coop and Tesco, 1-hour drive from Beachside), and good, well-stocked, local stores in Tarbert and Leverburgh (both 15-minutes away), where all the food basics are readily available. Harris Tweed Shop The Harris Tweed Shop in Tarbert is a MUST-VISIT place! Absolutely packed with wonderful Harris Tweed products. And if you’re…

Head off south from Seilebost and you will first come to Blas Bhon Iar in Horgabost, where Richard serves the most amazing local, top quality take-away food. Next you will come to The Machair Kitchen at Talla na Mara, just a bit further along the road on the left. A couple of miles further is Scarista House Hotel, where you…

You can step out of Beachside onto the very edge of Seilebost Beach, with its glistening white sand and machair grasslands bordering the often turquoise-looking sea. Drive towards Tarbert, round the edge of Loch Fincastle and ten minutes later you are at Luskentyre Beach, which has justifiably been listed as among the top ten beaches…