Holiday rentals in Leverburgh

Located on the south end of the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides, Leverburgh is one of Scotland’s most remote villages. Surrounded by water on three sides, Leverburgh developed into a fishing port in the early 20th century, and today the seashore and nearby freshwater lochs are still popular for trout and salmon fishing. The beaches in this area are distinguished by their unusual machair habitats — low-lying dunes specific to the exposed west-facing shores of Ireland and Scotland. Machairs tend to be flat or gently undulating landscapes with an array of vegetation, including rare flowers like the Hebridean spotted orchid. The tranquil area comes alive with birdlife throughout the year, such as corncrakes and breeding waders in the spring and flocks of geese, lapwing, and golden plover in the winter. Leverburgh is also an excellent base for exploring the Isle of Harris and other Outer Hebrides villages and islands.

The best time to visit the Outer Hebrides is between April and October, as many islands more or less shut down for winter. Although it can be windy and wet, the climate is milder than you would expect, thanks to the Gulf Stream. The weather is highly changeable, and it’s not uncommon to experience four seasons in one day. In general, daytime averages are cool in April, May, and June and somewhat warmer in July, August, and September, with temperatures dropping down again in October and November. And as Leverburgh is so far north, it virtually stays light all night long in the summer, especially in June and July. You’ll also see carpets of wildflowers, and flocks of birds returning from farther south. Winter days are short, with only a few hours of daylight and daytime temperatures, which keeps the air quite chilly.

Isle of Scalpay

Connected to the Isle of Harris by a one-lane bridge, the Isle of Scalpay is a 2.5-square-mile gem. You can enjoy a three-mile hike out to the Eilean Glas Lighthouse, built in 1789 and the oldest lighthouse in Scotland. You can also check out the fishing boats on the piers and taste locally caught scallops, monkfish, and other fresh catches at the award-winning local bistro.

Luskentyre Beach

With its miles of white sand and bright turquoise water, Luskentyre stands out as one of the top beaches in Europe. You can reach it in about a 30-minute drive up the coast from Leverburgh. It’s especially amazing in late spring when the wildflowers blanket the landscape in colour, and the sun sets late in the day.

St Clement’s Church

Known as one of the grandest medieval buildings in the Western Isles, St Clement’s was built as a church and burial ground for the MacLeod clan. It was completed around 1560, but fell into disuse as a consequence of the Reformation. The church contains an impressive collection of later medieval and post-Reformation sculptures, including the MacLeod Tomb, which features Chief MacLeod’s effigy dressed in armour and guarded by lions under carved ornamental arches.