The Isle of Harris Mountain Festival is a new and exciting week long event featuring guided walks, photographic workshops, sea kayaking, the Harris Five Peaks Challenge, a ceilidh, films, talks and more. The Festival will run from 24 September to 1 October.
Festival organisers say, “This is an opportunity to explore the spectacular landscapes of Harris where seas and mountains meet. The interior of North and South Harris encompass some of the largest un-roaded areas of wild land in Scotland, offering limitless possibilities for walking and exploring. Harris has an extensive path network with around 45 miles of path. North Harris also holds the highest peaks in the Western Isles including An Cliseam, whilst South Harris hosts some of the most spectacular white sandy beaches in the world. Harris is also the home of Harris Tweed and has a strong Gaelic culture.”
Confirmed Guest Speakers are well known TV presenter and lifelong mountain enthusiast Cameron McNeish and Laurie Campbell, Scotland’s best known natural history photographer.
Laurie Campbell will also be running a photography workshop and will be displaying work in Harris.
Two evenings will be dedicated to showing mountain themed films from around the world.
There will also be Kayak taster sessions, youth activities, and a Festival Ceilidh at the end of the week.
North Harris Ranger, Robin Reid, will be leading a special Guided Walks programme including a 12 mile community walk from Bogha Glas to Miabhaig nam Beann, along the longest stretch of path in the Western Isles. The Isle of Harris is fortunate enough to have an extensive network of paths criss-crossing the island. This makes more remote parts of the island accessible to casual walkers, not just seasoned hill climbers.
The Festival organisers say, “It is hoped that the mountain festival will bring visitors and locals together to enjoy what Harris has to offer. Set at the end of September we hope that the Festival will attract visitors to Harris outside the main tourist season.”
Many of the events are free, for further details and prices of other events see the Festival website.