Sound of Harris
Encyclopedia
The Sound of Harris is a channel between the islands of Harris and North Uist
in the Outer Hebrides
of Scotland.
, from the Atlantic Ocean
to The Minch
. There are many islands and numerous reefs in the Sound, the largest being Berneray
, Pabbay, Ensay
and Killegray
. It is part of the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist
National Scenic Area
, one of 40 in Scotland.
, Harris to Berneray
, itself connected by causeway
to North Uist. Until the Berneray Causeway opened, the ferry landed at Otternish
. The service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne
and was provided by MV Loch Bhrusda
until 2003, when she was replaced by the much larger, MV Loch Portain
. A buoyed route is marked to ensure the ferry’s safe passage. The MCA
require that the vessel only proceed if the next two marker buoys are visible.
North Uist
North Uist is an island and community in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:North Uist is the tenth largest Scottish island and the thirteenth largest island surrounding Great Britain. It has an area of , slightly smaller than South Uist. North Uist is connected by causeways to Benbecula...
in the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
of Scotland.
Geography
Approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) in width, the Sound of Harris provides the main sea passage through the Hebridean archipelagoArchipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
, from the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
to The Minch
The Minch
The Minch , also called The North Minch, is a strait in north-west Scotland, separating the north-west Highlands, and the northern Inner Hebrides, from Lewis and Harris in the Outer Hebrides...
. There are many islands and numerous reefs in the Sound, the largest being Berneray
Berneray, North Uist
Berneray is an island and community in the Sound of Harris, Scotland. It is one of fifteen inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. It is famed for its rich and colourful history which has attracted much tourism....
, Pabbay, Ensay
Ensay, Outer Hebrides
Ensay is a currently unpopulated island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The island lies in the Sound of Harris between the islands of Harris and Berneray...
and Killegray
Killegray
Killegray is an island in the Sound of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-Geography:Situated in the Sound of Harris, a channel of water between North Uist and the Isle of Harris, Killegray is approximately 1½ miles long....
. It is part of the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA is a large National Scenic Area in the Western Isles of Scotland.-Location:The designated area covers 109,600 hectares, including the mountainous south west of Lewis, all of Harris, the Sound of Harris and the northern part of North Uist.-Description:North...
National Scenic Area
National Scenic Area
National Scenic Area is a designation for areas of natural beauty used by more than one nation.* National Scenic Area * National Scenic Area * National scenic areas in Taiwan* National Scenic Area...
, one of 40 in Scotland.
Ferry
Since 1996, a vehicle ferry links LeverburghLeverburgh
Leverburgh is the second largest village, after Tarbert, on the island of Harris in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-History:In his 30's, English businessman William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme had taken a boat trip and fallen in love with the Western Isles of Scotland...
, Harris to Berneray
Berneray, North Uist
Berneray is an island and community in the Sound of Harris, Scotland. It is one of fifteen inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. It is famed for its rich and colourful history which has attracted much tourism....
, itself connected by causeway
Causeway
In modern usage, a causeway is a road or railway elevated, usually across a broad body of water or wetland.- Etymology :When first used, the word appeared in a form such as “causey way” making clear its derivation from the earlier form “causey”. This word seems to have come from the same source by...
to North Uist. Until the Berneray Causeway opened, the ferry landed at Otternish
Otternish
Otternish is the former North Uist terminal for the ferry to Berneray. The slipway lies 6 miles north of Lochmaddy. When the causeway was completed in December 1998, the slipway was no longer needed. Ancient human remains were found here in 1870....
. The service is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne
Caledonian MacBrayne is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast...
and was provided by MV Loch Bhrusda
MV Loch Bhrusda
MV Loch Bhrusda is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ro-ro car ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. After 11 years operating in the Outer Hebrides, she is the spare small vessel on the Clyde.-History:...
until 2003, when she was replaced by the much larger, MV Loch Portain
MV Loch Portain
MV Loch Portain is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ro-ro car ferry, operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, built for the Sound of Harris crossing in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.-History:...
. A buoyed route is marked to ensure the ferry’s safe passage. The MCA
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is a UK executive agency working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and International maritime law and safety policy.This involves coordinating search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty's Coastguard , ensuring that...
require that the vessel only proceed if the next two marker buoys are visible.