Beaches, makers, good things to eat, and the studios and shops that make this stretch of the Outer Hebrides worth exploring slowly. There are countless things to do on the Isle of Harris that you won’t want to miss. From breathtaking beaches to local crafts and great art.
Where to eat and drink
The Isle of Harris Brewery at the Pier in Leverburgh is one of the best places to eat on the island. Nick, Anna and Spud the Brewery Dog run a taproom, restaurant and deli out of a converted space on the waterfront, serving local food sourced from Hebridean crofts, lochs and the sea. The deli stocks the largest range of local food and drink on Harris, and the beer is brewed on the premises.
Details at the Isle of Harris Brewery or WhatsApp Nick directly on 07584 354144.
Croft 36 in Northton is a craft bakery and takeaway open Monday to Saturday. They bake from a masonry oven fuelled by their own coppiced willow, and the menu runs to butteries, soups, quiche and seasonal dishes using langoustines, crab and fish from local waters. A genuinely good stop on the south side of the west coast road.
The Cake Shed at Luskentyre is a beach hut cafe right at the beach. Worth timing a walk around a stop here.
Smithy Bakes in Leverburgh specialises in gluten-free bakes and is open Thursday to Saturday.
Talla na Mara Community Café is part of the arts and entertainment centre there, with views across the bay. Operating as a community cafe in 2026, the food is excellent with beautiful homemade soups and cakes. The views are just as wonderful.
Open 10-4pm Mon- Fri –Talla na Mara, Pàirc Niseaboist, Isle of Harris, HS3 3AE
If you’re self-catering, look out for Hebridean Mustard, made in Harris using organic ingredients and awarded by Michelin-starred chefs. Pick up a jar from local stockists or direct at hebrideanmustard.com.
Local makers and studios
Top Things to Do on the Isle of Harris
For those seeking adventure, the things to do on the Isle of Harris range from hiking to water sports, making it a perfect destination for everyone.
The west side of Harris has a remarkable concentration of working artists and makers, most of them living and working on the land they make work about.
When planning your visit, make sure to consider the various things to do on the Isle of Harris, including visiting local artists and enjoying the stunning scenery.
At the old schoolhouse in Seilebost, you’ll find two studios side by side.
Gneiss Things (pronounced “nice things”) is run by a couple and their young son who carve, shape and polish Lewisian gneiss into jewellery and keepsakes. The gneiss they use is some of the oldest rock on the planet, and it comes from this island. Their studio is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm, with other days posted on their socials.
Next door, Harris Glass Studio occupies the old schoolhouse right beside the beach. The studio produces glasswork made on Harris and runs workshops if you want to try it yourself. Details on their website.
At the arts and entertainment centre in Northton, Studios at Talla na Mara host several local artists, including illustrator Joceline Hildrey, whose work draws directly from the landscape and life of Harris. Worth checking what’s showing when you visit.
On the coast at Niseabost, Hebridean Embers produces original artwork rooted in the Hebridean landscape. Local work made by someone who actually lives here.
In Leverburgh, A.S Apothecary is a sustainable skincare and wellbeing brand made on a Harris smallholding, specialising in organic, handmade products for menopause and beyond. Find them at Unit 1, Pier Road, Leverburgh.
Harris Tweed at source
Harris Tweed carries an Orb trademark that legally requires it to be hand-woven in the homes of islanders on traditional looms. That guarantee means something real. On the west side, the best place to see this is at Taobh Tuath Tweeds in Northton. Rebecca Hutton was born and raised in Harris, and weaves in her loom shed just as generations before her have done, and she is a working weaver making cloth. You can see the fabric being made and buy direct. Details at taobhtuathtweeds.com.
The beaches
The west coast of Harris has some of the most consistently spectacular beaches in Europe. Luskentyre, Scarista and Seilebost are all within a short drive of each other, and on a clear day, they are the kind of place that stops you mid-sentence.
The west coast of Harris offers numerous things to do on the Isle of Harris, perfect for beach lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Luskentyre is the most photographed beach in the Outer Hebrides. Go early in the morning if you want it quieter.
Scarista is a long curve of beach on the south-west coast, backed by machair that flowers through summer.
Whether you’re visiting for the stunning scenery or the local culture, the things to do on the Isle of Harris will provide an unforgettable experience.
Seilebost sits across the estuary from Luskentyre and gives a different view of the same stretch of coast. Worth walking if the tide allows. There are also two studios at the old schoolhouse nearby worth stopping at while you’re here.
A note on the weather: Harris weather moves fast. A grey morning can become something extraordinary by noon, and the light after rain on the west coast is worth staying for.
This is the second in a two-part guide to the Isle of Harris. The east side guide, covering the Golden Road, Tarbert and the route south to Rodel, is here.
Margaret Soraya is an artist, photographer and gallery owner based in Geocrab on the Isle of Harris.