Activities

With its high hills and empty glens and miles of coastline accessible only by sea, North Harris is a paradise for the ornithologist, the botanist, the hill walker, the painter and the photographer. There are many rare bird species including the golden eagle and black-throated and red-throated diver as well as colonies of nesting sea birds.

Guests are free to explore this vast wilderness either on their own or accompanied by members of the estate staff. Boat trips can also be organised and, by arrangement, it may be possible to organise trips to St Kilda and the Shiant Islands.

Also available:

Golf – two courses within one hour’s drive
Clay pigeon shooting
Rifle shooting
Tennis
Deep sea fishing

Visits to:

A Harris Tweed weaving shed
Rodel Church
Callanish Stone Circle
Seallam Visitor and Genealogy Research Centre
Beaches of South Harris
“Teampull” at Northton
Wild flowers of the machair

Amhuinnsuidhe Castle Estate Activity Programme

Guided walks

There are many different walks on offer, which cater for varying levels of fitness. Both Sea and Golden Eagles are frequently seen. Combine this with the wonderful array of flora on the Machair and the stunning beaches; it is a recipe for a memorable afternoon. Above all, enjoy the surroundings in the company of our knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides.

Vigadale - Meavaig

This walk is at least twelve miles long and takes you through some of the most stunning and mountainous scenery that North Harris has to offer. The track takes you past the headwaters of loch Langavat and up and over to Loch Voshimid, which is one of the Island’s most famous salmon lochs. At Loch Voshmid turn left, down a well established track past Loch Scourst and back to meet the road at Meavaig. This is a long and reasonably strenuous walk and should only be undertaken by those with good level of fitness. But, for the effort put in, the reward is fantastic….Outstanding views and a good chance of seeing Deer, Eagles and Black Throated Divers.

Loch Ulladale

Ulladale is situated beneath one the largest cliff overhangs in Europe, and is well worth a visit. The total distance of the walk is around seven miles, and in places it is quite steep. The sight of the cliff is quite breath taking. The walk is largely on a reasonable track, but good footwear is advised. The walk starts at Amhuinnsuide and a track takes you up past a hydroelectric power dam and down to Loch Ulladale. Unfortunately the route is not a loop and you must return the way you came.

Amhuinnsuidhe - Huisinis

This walk is about five miles long and only involves one steep decline. Half of the walk is along the coast so it offers all varieties of wildlife, and it takes you over one of the more prolific machairs. Spring is the best time of year to see the machair in all its glory. The walk takes you up to the saddle above Loch a`Ghlinnie, down to the loch’s side and then straight to the coast and along the Cravadale Machair. For a good over view of the wildlife that the islands have to offer, this is an ideal walk.

Clisham

The Clisham is the highest mountain in the Outer Hebrides and is easily accessible from a car park that is situated on the main road from Tarbert to Stornoway. The walk itself is not that long, about four to five miles, but the second half is quite steep. The climb is worth it for the panoramic view of the Islands from the summit.

Maraig - Urgha

This walk is about 3.5 miles and is very gentle. It does not, however offer a huge amount of wildlife, Eagles, Buzzards, Ravens and Golden Plovers can all be seen. The walk peaks at around 280 metres from which it descends to the Lacasdale lochs and then on to Urgha.

Urgha – Reinigadale

Again this walk is about 3.5 miles, but it is slightly more strenuous than the Maraig to Urgha route. This walk can also be the second half of a loop route. A pick up point can be arranged for Reinigadale. From Urgha the path climbs up to its summit of 280 metres along side a small stream. From the summit there is a good view of Caolos Scalpaigh and South Harris. Once again the wildlife that this half of the walk has to offer is limited, roughly the same as the Maraig to Urgha walk.

From the summit you descend steeply into a bay. The bay looks towards the Shiant Isles and the mainland beyond. It is on the descent and around the bay that more interesting wildlife can be seen such as sea otters, seals, porpoises, many forms of wild fowl, gannets and many varying gulls.

Tolsta - Ness (Isles of Lewis)

For a contrast with the Harris scenery the Tolsta - Ness walk offers rolling moorland and a dramatic coastline from which many of the rare sea birds can be seen. This walk is ten miles long and the time allowed should be between 4-6 hours. The walk starts at the “bridge to nowhere”. This bridge was meant to be part of the road that was going to join Tolsta and Ness, however, the road was never completed due to Lord Leverhulme’s financial difficulties.

Other activities

Clay Pigeon: £30 per person

Clay pigeon shooting is available as an individual recreation or as a competition between members of the party. Tuition from one of our keepers is available. All equipment is supplied.

Fly-Fishing

Fly-fishing is available from mid April until the beginning of October on our brown trout lochs. A ghillie will accompany the party to the lochs and will be able to give tuition to those who have not picked up a rod before.

Rifle Shooting: £25 per person

Rifle shooting is available to those wishing to test their aim at targets up to 250 yards away with different calibre of rifles. All equipment is supplied. As with the clay pigeon shooting the rifle shooting is fully supervised.

Golf: £25 per person (Club hire included)

There is a beautifully located and challenging nine-hole links golf course with panoramic views of the Atlantic and the North Harris Hills. Quoted by Nick Faldo to be “the most beautiful course” he has played. Weather dependent, the golfers could be picked up by boat and enjoy a return trip by sea past the island of Taransay.

Isle of Lewis Tour: £25 per person (min. 4 people)

A chance to sample the culture and the history of the Isle of Lewis, with visits to the Callanish stones, the Doune Broch House, a Black House village where afternoon tea can be taken and the Arnol Black House, which shows the traditional way of living on the island. In addition we can arrange a visit to James Smith’s gallery, exhibiting photographs of the islands landscape.

Tweed Tour: £20 per person (min. 4 people)

With its stunning beaches and rocky mountains, a trip around Harris is worthwhile. Taking you from the foot of the Clisham, (the highest mountain), past the old whaling station down towards the wonderful beaches of Harris. Turning right towards Luskentyre beach, voted as one of the top ten beaches in Europe. Stopping for a guided tour at the Harris Tweed mill, with its owner, Donald John, who produced the estate’s tweed. Having refreshed yourselves with afternoon tea at Scarista House, the trip continues down to St Clements Church, Rodel and back to the Castle along the rocky bays and the Golden Road.

Tennis: £10 for court hire

Play a game of tennis amongst the grandeur of the Harris hills; this must be one of the remotest tennis courts in Britain. The court was funded by the national lottery and was reportedly the most expensive public tennis court in Britain to build, due to its location.

Mountain Biking: £15 per bike per day.

Various Sea Boat Trips: (Price dependant on destination and number of people)

Take a boat trip to St Kilda Europe’s most important sea bird colonies and major seabird breeding stations in the north Atlantic. Leaving from Amhuinnsuidhe passing the famous Island of Taransay. This journey take approximately 3 Hours leaving the castle @ 8.30am and arriving back at the castle at 7.30pm. This trip has some of the most spectacular views and the island is situated beside the highest sea stacs in Britain – Stac an Armin measures in at 191 metres and Stac Lee at 165 metres

Castle boats can also be hired at £50 per day +fuel.

During bad weather guest can take part in a number of indoor activities, such as painting, cookery or printing out digital photos.

BBQ lunch-£10 per head. (Full parties only)

Evening Activities

Professor Bill Lawson slide show: P.O.A.

Professor Bill Lawson gives an after dinner talk about the Islands. Not only is he a leading geneologist he is the author of the definitive guide to Harris and Lewis. Local traditional Gaelic singers accompany the slide show. His talk provides a light evening’s entertainment that captures the history, culture and Celtic folk law of these magical Islands.

Piper: £90

Singer: £90

Ceilidh Band: £P.O.A.

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