The Sound of Harris (Scottish Gaelic : Caolas na Hearadh) is a channel between the islands of Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
The Sound of Harris (Scottish Gaelic : Caolas na Hearadh) is a channel between the islands of Harris and North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Approximately eight nautical miles (fifteen kilometres) in width, the Sound of Harris provides the main sea passage through the Hebridean archipelago, from the Atlantic Ocean to The Minch. [1] There are many islands and numerous reefs in the Sound, the largest being Berneray, Pabbay, Ensay and Killegray. [1] It is part of the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area, one of 40 in Scotland. [2]
Since 1996, a vehicle ferry links Leverburgh, Harris to Berneray, itself connected by causeway to North Uist. Until the Berneray Causeway opened, the ferry landed at Otternish. The service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne and was provided by MV Loch Bhrusda until 2003, when she was replaced by the much larger, MV Loch Portain. [3] A buoyed route is marked to ensure the ferry's safe passage. The MCA require that the vessel only proceed if the next two marker buoys are visible. [4]
Coordinates: 57°44′N7°7′W / 57.733°N 7.117°W
 | This article about a location in the Western Isles is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
The Outer Hebrides or Western Isles, sometimes known as Na h-Innse Gall or the Long Isle/Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. The islands are geographically coextensive with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. They form part of the archipelago of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch, and the Sea of the Hebrides. Scottish Gaelic is the predominant spoken language, although in a few areas English speakers form a majority.
Harris is the southern and more mountainous part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Although not an island itself, Harris is often referred to in opposition to the Isle of Lewis as the Isle of Harris, which is the former postal county and the current post town for Royal Mail postcodes starting HS3 or HS5.
North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
"Uist" is a group of six islands and are part of the Outer Hebridean Archipelago, part of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Berneray is an island and community in the Sound of Harris, Scotland. It is one of fifteen inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. It is famed for its rich and colourful history which has attracted much tourism. It lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area, one of 40 such areas in Scotland which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.
Boreray is an island with a single croft, lying 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) north of North Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Pabbay is an uninhabited island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland which lies in the Sound of Harris between Harris and North Uist. The name comes from Papey, which is Norse for "Island of the papar (Culdee)".
Ceann a' Ghàraidh is the location of the ferry terminal on the south-western side of the island of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It provides a service across the Sound of Barra to Ardmore on the island of Barra The placename literally means "The head of the garden". This location is so called due to the presence of the old crofting boundary walls, which can no longer be seen.
Killegray is an island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Hermetray is an uninhabited island off North Uist, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
Newtonferry is a small crofting community on the island of North Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland, at the end of the B893 road. Newtonferry is within the parish of North Uist.
Stromay is a tidal island off North Uist in the Sound of Harris, Scotland.
Orosay is a small uninhabited tidal island in the Sound of Barra lying at the north end of Traigh Mhòr, the "big beach" on the north east coast of Barra. It is one of ten islands in the Sound of Barra, a Site of Community Importance for conservation in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. It is about 30 hectares in extent and the highest point is 38 metres (125 ft).
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist is a large national scenic area (NSA) in the Western Isles of Scotland. It is one of 40 such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development. The designated area covers 202,388 ha in total, of which 112,301 ha is on land, with a further 90,087 ha being marine, making it the largest of the NSAs in both total and marine area. The designated area includes the mountainous south west of Lewis, all of Harris, the Sound of Harris and the northern part of North Uist.
MV Loch Portain is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited water-jet propulsion ro-ro car ferry, operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, built for the Sound of Harris crossing in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
MV Loch Bhrusda is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited water-jet propulsion ro-ro car ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. After 11 years operating in the Outer Hebrides, she is now a Clyde-based relief small vessel.
Otternish is the former North Uist terminal for the ferry to Berneray, in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The slipway lies 6 miles (10 km) north of Lochmaddy, and is situated within the parish of North Uist. Otternish is situated on the B893, and when the Berneray causeway was completed in December 1998, the slipway was no longer needed. Ancient human remains were found here in 1870. At a site 50 yards to the north of the discovery, a Viking ship burial was also found in the early 20th century.
MV Eilean Bhearnaraigh is a small passenger ferry built for the Outer Hebrides. After serving the monks on Papa Stronsay, she now operates in Southern Ireland as Sancta Maria.
MV Eilean Na H-Oige is a small passenger ferry built for the Outer Hebrides and now operating in Southern Ireland.
