Isle Of Harris: Scottish Paradise Out Of This World

Only an hour’s flight from Glasgow, the Isle of Harris nevertheless feels like the ends of the Earth. Part of the Outer Hebrides, an island chain sitting like a jaunty cap off Scotland’s west coast, Harris has an almost lunar landscape, with rugged mountains, boulder-strewn moors peppered with lochs, and a distinct absence of trees. March sees the island start to emerge from its winter cocoon, with gorse and clover creating a rich tapestry of colour that seems to mirror its most famous export, Harris tweed. The magic of the isle is best appreciated from the Borve Lodge Estate, in the southwest.

The main lodge is available for large groups, but those visiting a deux can book into The Rock House or The Broch, two properties that overlook a white-sand beach and the island of Taransay, of Castaway 2000 fame. The inspiration for the buildings was taken from dwellings that were scattered across the Scottish coastline during the Iron Age. Rough-cut local stones form the walls, and the roofs are crowned in turf, each cabin as comfortable in the landscape as an ancient ruin. Smart interiors include floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing uninterrupted views of the Atlantic, adding to that glorious sense of other-worldly isolation.