Hebridean Isle Adventure - January 2026

It was with excitement and a little trepidation that Phil and I set out for a trip to an island in the Outer Hebrides recently: excitement, as it was somewhere we had not been before and had longed to go to and trepidation in relation to the travel which involved trains and planes – always a measure of unpredictability with both. In the event we were blessed with good connections and arrived at our final destination after a long day, in Seilebost, Isle of Harris late evening.

People’s reaction when they heard where we were going was either ‘lovely’ or ‘what, in January?!’ However, the weather was mildish, no frost or ice or snow and little rain. There is always a brisk wind on islands, so we had plenty of fresh air and the day before we left a gale force 60mph which was hard to stand up in!

The house where we were staying belongs to family members and they were taking holiday then too, so we had a great time catching up and having long conversations and plenty of relaxation. The first morning was a revelation when we opened the blinds in our bedroom: a breath-taking and awesome landscape of sea and mountains and nearby islands. We were spellbound as we gazed at the view from the dining table and our brother-in-law laughed as he said that all guests are the same…..staring for lengthy periods, forgetting to eat or drink! We couldn’t get enough of it! It was peaceful and fed our souls in abundance. It was a perfect setting to practise Centering Prayer – a lovely gift.

With the house being beside the beach it only took a few minutes to descend a steep bank, paddle across the stream in wellies and then we were on the beach – a deserted paradise. Local crofters keep sheep and some keep them enclosed, but others let them roam, but they soon move aside, being familiar with humans and an awareness of the highway code.

Genuine Harris Tweed - £340 a shot!

Some years ago in the first part of the last century, there were religious revivals which started in Stornoway (the main town on the adjacent Isle of Lewis) and spread south. Accounts we read told of people falling on their knees in great numbers, in the villages and towns and in fields, pleading to God for mercy for their sins. Gatherings of people met in buildings and prayed through nights and days. This move of the Holy Spirit has left a solid legacy of spirituality and the churches are well attended to the present day. The Sunday service we attended in a rented building was full. There were lots of young people, families and older members and one of the psalms was sung in Gaelic (pronouncing that was beyond me, but there was an English translation on the screen, thankfully!)

Harris Tweed shops were a must! The fabric is used to tailor jackets, cover books, purses, hats, cushions, make applique pictures etc. I learned that the authentic Harris Tweed label can only be attached to an item where the yarn has been handspun. Of course, there is no shortage of sheep to provide fleece for spinning either!

All in all the time spent on Harris has left a deep impression which will be long lasting and we are so grateful to have ticked off the island from our bucket list. Blessed indeed!

Margaret Bradshaw