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A tidal channel winding through golden marsh grass towards a still loch, with a single conical hill rising behind.
Isle of Harris

Northton Salt Flats

A saltmarsh lagoon at Northton in the south-west of Harris, threaded with tidal channels and islets, with the hill of Ceapabhal reflected in its water.

Welcome

Near the south-western tip of Harris, where the long sands of Scarista beach close off a small lagoon at low tide, the land dissolves into a maze of saltmarsh.

These are the Northton salt flats, a quiet world of golden grass, winding tidal channels and tiny islets.

Above them rises Ceapabhal, a hill of about 1,200 feet, and on a still day its shape is mirrored perfectly in the water of the lagoon. The flats face west, so the evening is the best time to come, when the sunset lights the sky behind the hill, though the morning sun on Ceapabhal is lovely too. It is a favourite place for photographers.

Follow the road towards Northton, park considerately in a passing place and walk along the edge of the marsh.

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The Daily for 31 October, from Scotland with love. A ring of standing stones set among mist and autumn birch
A short drive awayIsle of Harris Brewery TaproomA working brewery with a taproom, a restaurant and a deli on the pier at Leverburgh, beside the ferry to Berneray.9 min by roadSee itA flight of four Isle of Harris Brewery beers, from pale to dark, on a wooden board by the taproom window.
Before you go

Open at all times.

Park considerately in a passing place.

Where
Northton, south Harris.
Hill
Ceapabhal, 1,200 feet.
Best
Evening light.

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Where it is

At Northton near the south-west tip of Harris, off the A859; park in a passing place, HS3 3JA.

Close bySouth Harris.
  1. The green wooden shed at Croft 36 in Northton, doors open, with coffee, soup and baking chalked on the doors and the honesty box inside.Croft 36Under a mile as the crow flies
  2. Scarista House, a white Georgian manse with tall chimneys, lit gold by the evening sun behind a stone wall.Scarista HouseA Georgian manse of 1827 above Scarista beach on the west coast of Harris, now a small hotel of six rooms with a set dinner each evening.4 miles 7 min by road
  3. Tweed scarves, "Love, Faith, Hope" boxes and Harris Tweed eggs on a shop counterGrannie Annie's, South HarrisA quirky shop on the road to Rodel.5 miles 8 min by road
  4. St Clement's Church at Rodel, its square tower rising above the churchyard under a blue sky.St Clement’s Church, RodelThe old church at Rodel.6 miles 10 min by road
  5. Luskentyre Beach, HarrisLuskentyre Beach, HarrisHarris's great beach to the north.13 miles 18 min by road
Directions
A flight of four Isle of Harris Brewery beers, from pale to dark, on a wooden board by the taproom window.RestaurantsIsle of Harris Brewery Taproom3.7 miles
The deck at Talla na Mara, picnic benches looking out over turquoise water and white sand to the hills of Harris under a blue sky.CafeTalla na Mara Community Café6.5 miles
Nisabost beach from the rocks, white sand and turquoise water below green dunes.AttractionsNisabost Beach & MacLeod’s Stone6.6 miles
Seilebost's curve of white sand and turquoise surf below a conical hill, from above.AttractionsSeilebost Beach, Harris8.3 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the flats, 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 Cliasmol
  • 12 miles from Northton
Free 16–23 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay on HarrisAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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