How a Day Trip to Harris Turned into a Three-Year Build

For anyone discovering it for the first time, what is Harris Hideaway?

Harris Hideaway is a sanctuary, a place for guests to escape from the busy world and enjoy time in this spacious holiday home. A beautiful retreat created for two guests, adults only, with calming scandi style interiors that allow mind and body to relax. Whether it’s in the spa-like bathroom with ocean view from the wave shaped bath and oversized walk in shower or relaxing in the bespoke sauna after a day on the hills. The views from the floor to ceiling windows that run along the front of the curved house are mesmerising. Lazy mornings soaking up the scenery from bed and chilled days on the sofa watching the wildlife go by are all that’s needed to recharge. Stepping out onto the private sundecks the vista runs for miles, a full 180 degree of stunning and rugged island landscape – the beaches of Luskentyre, Horgabost and Scarista in the distance and the island of Taransay famous for deserted adventures. Soak up the sunset as you slip into the copper outdoor tub and wait for the stars to fill the huge night sky.

What first drew you to the Isle of Harris, and why this exact location for the Hideaway?

During a two week Scottish adventure in October 2020, which included a week in the Scottish Highlands, we stayed on the Isle of Lewis in an architect designed underground turf- roofed house. We took a day trip exploring the Isle of Harris enthralled by the pure white sand beaches, turquoise seas and magnificent hills. Returning along the single-track road from Huisinis Beach we spotted a for sale sign on a croft, moments later we were exploring the land that was for sale, with ideas already buzzing around our heads for what we might create.

We soon discovered that crofting wouldn’t be possible as we were still living in Cumbria and managing A Corner of Eden, our holiday cottage business. Luck was definitely on our side when we found out that there was a smaller piece of land already de-crofted not yet on the market and the owner had recently decided he’d like to sell. Even more serendipitous was the fact that there was planning permission in place for an underground house. Within six months of our holiday, we were proud owners of the small plot of land at Cliasmol and our 3 year building adventure began.

How did you approach the design of the house?

Taking the initial design, we worked up ideas to increase the space within the building. Richard drew sketches enabling all rooms to enjoy the stunning sea views from the plot’s elevated position, whilst Debbie worked on the interior design and flow. Drawing on our experience of renovating and running three holiday cottages, we wanted to create something extra special. Modern interiors yet homely, a property that blended with the landscape and looked after the environment with eco features. The house would be dug into the landscape, have a turf roof so it couldn’t be seen from the road and faced with recycled stone from site that gave the appearance of an ancient broch.

Once the new planning was secured we self manage the build from 500 miles away in Cumbria. We worked with local tradesmen from the Isle of Lewis, who were experienced in building on the tricky coastal environment. We like to get hands on and with a group of friends we laid 550 rolls of turf to create the grass roof, put up fencing and landscaping. With the deadline of opening and first guests arriving Debbie lived on site for 3 months to perfect the finish whilst Richard helped the joiner lay the wood floor and create the sauna. One of Richard’s final jobs was to build the outdoor decks made from 100% recycled material.

What was your inspiration for the interior?

We wanted to create a calming space, uncluttered with clean lines. Scandi style interiors that quietly complemented the surrounding sea and vast skyscape. We chose muted tones of blues and greys set against crisp white walls and kept the theme running throughout the single level property as each room flows seamlessly into the next.

Soft furnishing with a nod to island tradition, a bespoke room divider in the bedroom covered with a stunning sea blue Harris Tweed makes the perfect backdrop to the superking bed with soft luxurious linen bedding.

The bathroom is spacious, a place to relax and rejuvenate, double basins co-ordinating with the stunning sculptural bath. We were honoured when the bath company Riluxa chose to rename them the Ocean Bath & Basin after being inspired by our project. Curvaceous lines and unique interiors were key, such as the huge hand turned wood bowls and elm breakfast bar made by Richard. A variety of lighting options in each room allows for softness and highlighting special details, plus bright task lighting when needed. When designing the sauna we wanted to create something different so hand stained the aspen wood a subtle grey before installation, it works perfectly with the wood effect plank tiles in the adjoining shower room.

How do you want guests to feel when they stay here?

Our Hebridean wellness retreat hugs you as soon as you enter. Walking through theentrance hall and opening the door to the expanse of the main room with a curved wall of windows and curved ceiling, leaves guests breathless and feeling in awe at the beauty. Staying at Harris Hideaway is all about the experience of having space - both inside in the spacious rooms with the extensive views outside and also space for the mind to be quiet. We want guests to slow down, enjoy time together making breakfast and watching the weather and light shift across the landscape from the breakfast bar. Maybe a morning sauna or a long soak – things that they don’t find time to do at home.

We also hope that they will experience and understand how rich island life is, how community is so important, working the land and looking after each other and a slower pace to life is maybe what we all need to aim for. When we first opened many guests were emotional on entering, tears of joy at actually being at the Hideaway after watching our building take shape on social media, knowing the love and hard work that we put into creating it. Those moments make it all worthwhile!

What kind of wildlife might guests expect to see from the house?

Harris Hideaway enjoys an elevated position above the Sound of Taransay and looking out to the North Atlantic. Daily sightings of both golden and white-tailed eagles are absolutely mesmerising, watching them hunt and soar gracefully on the wind. Sea birds float up past the windows allowing a cinematic view of gannets, great northern divers, cormorants and a variety of gulls.

Our nearest neighbours are the wild red deer stags which, depending on the time of year, can be seen grazing on the surrounding croft land and come up to the boundary fence line. Seemingly unperturbed by human presence they wander happily amongst the Hebridean black face sheep.

Out to sea you may spot seals, otters, porpoise, common dolphins and on rarer occasions minke whales, orcas and basking sharks have also been sighted from the island’s coastlines.

How would you suggest guests spend time while in Harris?

The island is full of creatives, from artists to potters, weavers and glass makers, there’s so many micro businesses to visit. A must is to experience Harris   being woven by hand on a loom. The cloth of the land - Clò Mòr – can only be created on the island and is a key part of its history.

Head to the Isle of Harris distillery for a whisky or gin tour, their shop is stunning and the peat fire always burns in the entranceway to sit and sample a dram or enjoy a coffee. Stop at the many honesty box shops along the roadside and pick up some delicious home bakes, handmade preserves, creative tweed souvenirs and paintings.

For foodies there’s a 10 course tasting menu at Flavour in Tarbert, every table is a chef’s table and this is an interactive dining experience not to be missed. The seafood at the Harbour Bistro in Scalpay is also divine.

Then there’s the white sand beaches – too many to mention, but a drive south from Luskentyre to Northton will have you stopping every 5 minutes to experience a new picture perfect beach.

Favourite spot to visit nearby?

Our personal favourite is Huisinis Beach, just 6 miles from the Hideaway at the end of a 12 mile single track road. It’s a great beach to swim from and there’s the community owned Huisinis Gateway building that offer toilets, showers, snacks and a sheltered area to enjoy the beautiful view out to sea. The drive makes for an adventure in itself, but for those wishing to explore further then the cliff top path to the ‘secret beach’ called Traigh Mheilein, only accessible by foot or boat, is well worth it.

We also love exploring the North Harris Hills which extend for miles behind the Hideaway. Hardly a soul to be seen apart from the roaming deer herds. Choose from full days out following sheep trods deep into the wild landscape or head to one of the nearby stalker’s paths for easy access to the Eagle Observatory or up to the lochs of the hydro dam, both of which start 2 miles from the Hideaway.