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Nisabost beach from the rocks, white sand and turquoise water below green dunes.
Outer Hebrides

Nisabost Beach & MacLeod’s Stone

A white-sand beach on the west coast of Harris, with a tall prehistoric standing stone on the headland above.

Welcome

Nisabost, Tràigh Niosaboist, is one of the white-sand beaches strung along the west coast of South Harris, reached straight from the main road, with Taransay across the water and the tall hill of Ceapabhal to the south-west.

At the north end of the beach, up a short steep slope on the headland, stands Clach Mhic Leòid, MacLeod's Stone: a prehistoric standing stone over three metres tall, looking out across the Sound of Taransay towards St Kilda.

Its purpose is lost. It may once have stood in a row or at the edge of a cairn: two slabs are set on edge a few metres to its west, and rubble round its base could be the remains of one. Some see in the outline of its top the shape of Taransay behind it. It is a wonderful place for an evening: at midsummer the late sun lights the face of the stone, and at low tide the ripples in the sand catch the light as the sun sets over Taransay.

Close byFlavourA small restaurant in Tarbert where every table is a chef's table for an eight-course tasting menu.1 min by roadSee itChris plating lobster on blue plates in the Flavour kitchen, a row of dishes ready on the counter.
Before you go

The beach is reached directly from the A859 near Horgabost; walk to its north end and climb the short, steep slope to the stone.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Uig on Skye to Tarbert, or from North Uist to Leverburgh.
Stone
At the north end, up a short steep slope.
Where it is

Nisabost, by Horgabost, west coast of South Harris, HS3 3AE.

Close byOn the west coast of South Harris.
  1. Seilebost's curve of white sand and turquoise surf below a conical hill, from above.Seilebost Beach, HarrisA white beach on the south side of Luskentyre Bay, looking over the water to Taransay and Ben Luskentyre.2 miles2 min by road
  2. Northton Salt FlatsNorthton Salt Flats7 miles9 min by road
  3. Luskentyre Beach, HarrisLuskentyre Beach, HarrisThe largest and most spectacular of the Harris beaches, a great bay of white sand and turquoise water below the North Harris hills.7 miles9 min by road
  4. The Golden Road winding past small lochs through the grey rock of South Harris, the sea beyond.The Golden RoadThe single-track road of 1897 along the rocky east coast of South Harris, through a string of tiny townships.10 miles12 min by road
  5. Tweed scarves, "Love, Faith, Hope" boxes and Harris Tweed eggs on a shop counterGrannie Annie's, South HarrisA quirky roadside shop on the road to Rodel in South Harris, full of vintage finds, tweed, art and crafts, run by Annie Tempest.11 miles15 min by road
Directions
Chris plating lobster on blue plates in the Flavour kitchen, a row of dishes ready on the counter.RestaurantsFlavour0.3 miles
St Clement's Church at Rodel, its square tower rising above the churchyard under a blue sky.AttractionsSt Clement’s Church, Rodel12 miles
Rows of Harris Tweed cushions fill a shelving wall, running from soft greys through mustard, rose and teal.ShoppingHarris Tweed Isle of Harris, Tarbert12 miles
Essence of Harris tote bag hangs beside shelves of bottled products in the shopShoppingEssence of Harris, Tarbert12 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the beach, and when each is next free.

A curved timber-roofed house glows with lit windows at dusk, chairs set on the gravel and decking outside.Harris Hideaway
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Outer Hebrides
  • 6 miles from Nisabost
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Outer HebridesAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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