From Hebrides People The redesigned visitor centre: exterior (credit: Hebrides People) A transformational £8.25 million redevelopment of the Hebrides People Visitor Centre is now underway, marking a significant step forward for one of the Outer Hebrides’ most important heritage destinations. Contractors are moving on site following years of planning and fundraising, with the project set to upgrade facilities, safeguard the internationally recognised genealogy archive and crea

From Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd Grosebay in the Bays of Harris, by John Maher Bays of Harris Community Estate Ltd is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £1,082,680 by the Scottish Land Fund, securing the funding needed to bring the Bays of Harris Estate into community ownership. The award marks a major milestone in a journey that began 14 years ago and brings the community a significant step closer to achieving its long-held ambition of owning and managing

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has visited the Isle of Harris for the first time since his re-election. He attended an event to open the new housing estate at Leverburgh, answered residents’ questions at a public meeting in Tarbert and visited the newly-refurbished Scalpay Community Centre. His first stop on Tuesday was the 12-home Hebridean Housing Partnership development at Lèana an t-Sruith. This was completed in November 2025 by Alex Murray Construction Limited

In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This issue we welcome Loraine Niven, the new General Manager at the Leverhulme Community Hub What’s your story so far? Halo, Is mise Lanie, Tha mi à Siorrachd Àir...and that is about as good as my Gaelic is so far. I was brought up around the countryside, my Papa ran the sawmill, my uncles were foresters and we helped at the farm a lot. I left school and was a

From Scalpay Community Centre: After a closure of several months for major refurbishment, Scalpay Community Centre has re-opened its doors. The transformation of the centre is something everyone in the community can be proud of. The new An Cala Café is a wonderful addition, and we’re excited to see it become a welcoming hub for both local residents and visitors. This incredible project is a testament to the dedication of the trustees and chairman of the Scalpay Community Asso

From the Race Director: The Isle of Harris Running Festival concluded on Saturday 4 July, with participants taking part in the half marathon, 5km and Fun Run. We also saw the long-awaited return of the Heb Half series challenge, a multi-island challenge incorporating the half marathons of Harris, Barra, Stornoway, Skye and Benbecula. The number of participants in the Harris half marathon increased by over 50% from last year. The success of the race is testament to the contrib

Harris stick maker David Broadbent had his talents recognised at the Royal Highland Show last month, where he won the Mrs Alister Campbell Memorial trophy for his recent creations. The prize was awarded for the best set of four sticks, comprising of a wooden-handle shepherd’s crook, horn-handle shepherd’s crook, wooden-handle walking stick and a horn-handle walking stick. David has been competing in the Royal Highland Show for forty years and has experienced considerable succ

In our regular feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This issue we welcome Fiona MacKenzie, who is preparing for a busy summer celebrating Gaelic with young people What’s your story so far? When I left school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I had childcare, Gaelic and hairdressing in my head and applied for both the Gaelic and childcare courses. I chose the Gaelic course, then worked briefly as an Admin Assist

Here's our guide to Harris events over the next couple of weeks. Remember to email dethadol@harrisvs.org.uk for your event to be included in our next issue free of charge.

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome local councillor Kenny MacLeod, a passionate advocate for his island home. Please introduce yourself… I am one of the two ward councillors for Harris. I run my own company, Eilean Glas Rib Tours and I am session clerk at Tarbert Church of Scotland. I am on the board of Hebrides People, Comunn Eachdraidh Scalpaigh and, as a Councillor,

From Harris Youth Shinty Club: Harris Youth Shinty made their annual trip to Ullapool on Saturday 6th June for a meet with friends from Lewis and Ullapool. A mix of experienced and new players took part in drills and mini matches, led by Katie Drain of the Camanachd Association. Over 32 players were in-volved, and a great time was had by all. Harris joined forces with a handful of Lewis players to make up a team for the afternoon matches, with the joint team winning both thei

From the Harris Fire Team: A Western Isles Scottish Fire and Rescue Awards Ceremony was held at Stornoway Community Fire Station and District Offices on Tuesday, 19 May, bringing together colleagues, families and guests to celebrate the dedication and achievements of members of staff from across the Western Isles. During the ceremony, three personnel from Harris Fire Stations received acknowledgments of their commitment to the community as serving on call firefighters over th

Walkers put their best feet forward and braved wind and rain through the month of May, to complete a daily step challenge and raise money for the Bone Cancer Research Trust. More than 26 teams of four took part in the challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day or the equivalent of 500 miles altogether (from Stockinish in the Bays of Harris, to Glasgow, and back). This challenge was inspired by Lydia, a pupil at Sir E Scott school who has been receiving treatment for a rare form of

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This week, we welcome Crossroads' Service Manager, Kate, who is new to her current role, but not to exploring the island What’s your story so far? Although I have been working regular hours for Crossroads as a care attendant for several years, I never expected to find myself in the role of manager, and I am doing my best to fill the very capable boots of Ma

A recent Care Inspectorate visit to Leverburgh Care Home has resulted in a positive report, with ‘good’ scores across all the four areas evaluated and praise for staff and management. The unannounced visit took place in March and involved conversations with staff, residents and their families, observation of practice and daily life and document reviews. It assessed well-being, leadership, the staff team and care planning. The report, which was published in May on the Care Ins

The programme for this summer’s Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival is out now, with over 80 community-run events celebrating the wildlife, landscapes, and cultural heritage of the Outer Hebrides. The main week of this year’s Festival will run from the 20 to the 27 of June, and a Fringe Festival will continue until the end of July. This year’s programme features free and paid-for events, both in Harris and further afield. Harris events include a Harris hills sunset hike, hosted

In our fortnightly feature, we join a local for a tea break and find out how they spend their time - and their time off. This issue, we welcome Emily McEwan, Gaelic Officer at Hebrides people, whose passion for the language has brought her across the Atlantic. Please introduce yourself and your job? I'm Emily McEwan and I'm the Gaelic Officer at Ionad-tadhail Luchd Innse Gall, the Hebrides People Visitor Centre. My 2-year position was funded by Bòrd na Gàidhlig and includes s

A restored ex-military staff car is heading to Harris next month, with a team of Royal Navy and Royal Marine veterans, as part of a project raising awareness of mental health challenges such as PTSD, isolation and suicide. The 1936 Morris 8, known as ‘Philip’ will travel from Barra, through the Uists and on to Harris, Lewis and Skye, where its driver and passengers will meet local people, veterans, community groups and organisations and encourage conversations about wellbeing