Britannica AI Icon

Harris

island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom

Quick Summary

Lewis and Harris are the largest and northernmost islands of Scotland's Outer Hebrides, located off the west coast of the United Kingdom. While forming a single landmass, they are often referred to separately, with Lewis being the northern part and Harris the southern. The terrain differs significantly: Lewis is characterized by peat moor and numerous small lakes, while Harris is hilly with many peaks over 1,000 feet. The coastline is deeply indented, and the islands are rich in salmon, trout, and wildfowl.

The economy historically relied on crofting (small-scale tenant farming) and fishing, though fishing has declined. The renowned Harris Tweed industry, a cottage industry, provides significant employment. Gaelic language and culture are preserved here, and tourism is an important economic contributor. Stornoway, on Lewis, is the main town and administrative center.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.