Built in 1781 by Captain Alexander MacLeod, Rodel, this handsome residence sits at the southern tip of Harris beside its own splendid harbour, overlooking the Sound of Harris.
The Captain built the harbour, established schools, and invested in the island's future. A century later, the Countess of Dunmore lived here while championing the weaving tradition that became Harris Tweed. The house has always belonged to people who believed in Harris.
Burr has restored it sympathetically and opened it to guests. Original proportions and period details remain intact, alongside under floor heating and a fully-equipped up-to-date kitchen. The five bedrooms sleep eight adults and two children.
The communal rooms are generous: deep window seats frame views across the across the Minch to Skye, peat fires burn in the panelled drawing room and the open-plan space for eating and gathering on the ground floor. The house can be enjoyed by groups who want to be together, or by those who prefer to find a quiet corner to read or simply look out at the Sound.
Guests can self-cater or arrange a private chef, whose natural larder includes Harris seafood, lamb, and venison. St Clement's Church, which has the finest late-medieval carvings in the Hebrides, stands on a knoll above the house, minutes away by foot. Luskentyre and the island's west-coast beaches are within easy reach.
The Distillery is 45 minutes North of Tarbert, where tours and tasting run throughout the season. Both places share the same philosophy: to experience Harris as it truly is, and to ensure that its beauty and hospitality benefits both the island and the guests it hosts.
