The Isle of Harris Mountain Festival is taking place this year between Saturday 13th and Saturday 20th September 2014. Billed as “a week-long celebration of the mountains of Harris,” this is the fourth annual event run by the North Harris Trust. Organisers are promising that this year's festival will be bigger and more ambitious than ever.
Last year’s festival was a big success, despite some unsettled weather. Events included a varied guided walks programme including a couple of superb hill walks and a golden eagle walk, culminating in an eleven mile hike through the heart of North Harris with great company and spirits that weren’t dampened by the rain coming in through the afternoon. After the daytime walks, there was plenty to do in the evenings: Cameron McNeish gave an inspiring evening talk on John Muir, with a rousing call for a “champion” of wild land in Scotland; natural history photographer Laurie Campbell gave a fascinating presentation of some of his recent work; and long-distance walker Chris Townsend retold the story of his trek along the Scottish Watershed. One particular highlight were the powerboat tours of Loch Seaforth, provided by the Scaladale Centre. We were treated to sightings of Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Seals and Dolphins, and a new perspective of the Harris hills.
Guest speakers for 2014 will include author & activist Alastair McIntosh and biologist & author John Love, as well as festival regular Laurie Campbell. There will be special screenings of two films by Terry Abraham – “The Cairngorms in Winter” and “Scafell,” the former being introduced by Chris Townsend, who stars in the film.
There will be another fantastic range of guided walks, from stunning ridges & glens to glorious coastlines – including the return of the Clisham Horseshoe and the famous Golden Eagle Walk. New for 2014 will be a set of “Gaelic in the Landscape” classes, and a short course of Mountain Training accredited “Hill and Mountain Skills Awards” aimed at new and improving hill walkers. There will also be a range of outdoor sports sessions, as well as boat trips, a hill race, raft race and festival ceilidh.
For up to date information about the programme, visit the festival website. If you can’t attend the festival but fancy exploring the Isle of Harris or the rest of the Outer Hebrides archipelago, check out the huge variety of walking routes on Walkhighlands.