FOR FRESHLY CAUGHT CRAB AND LOCAL GIN
There aren’t many self-catering cottages with owners who go fishing so there’s just-caught pollock in the fridge. But this is standard at Sound of Harris. Designed by Carol and Rob – an English couple who fell in love with the beaches of this beautiful island in the Outer Hebrides – these two cottages are situated right on the seafront. The Big House is designed around a fully-equipped kitchen, so bring supplies. Just Hooked, near the ferry from Skye, can sort you out with local lobster, crab, langoustine and monkfish. While Harris is a Deliveroo-free zone, you can still enjoy restaurant-quality food. Croft 36 (croft36.com) will drop off sustainablycaught fish, seafood, game and meat (rabbit stew, fish curry or moules mariniere). When you want to explore, pack a picnic – the white sandy beaches, especially Luskentyre, are uncrowded and unspoilt. Harris’ main foodie attraction is the gin distillery in Tarbert, producing a smooth, world-glass gin with a distinct flavour courtesy of sea kelp, in a pretty bottle (soundofharris.co.uk). A minimum three-night stay costs from £323 in The Other House, or from £460 in The Big House.
Christine Hayes