Tarbert, Harris Explained

Official Name:Tarbert
Gaelic Name:An Tairbeart
Static Image Name:The MV Hebrides at Tarbert pier (geograph 2493392).jpg
Static Image Caption:The MV Hebrides at Tarbert pier
Population:503
Population Ref:(1981)
Population Demonym:Tairbeartach
Language:Scottish Gaelic
Language1:English
Coordinates:57.899°N -6.808°W
Country:Scotland
Os Grid Reference:NG154999
Edinburgh Distance Mi:191
London Distance Mi:515
Post Town:ISLE OF HARRIS
Postcode Area:HS
Postcode District:HS3
Dial Code:01859
Constituency Westminster:Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Civil Parish:Harris
Unitary Scotland:Na h-Eileanan Siar
Lieutenancy Scotland:Western Isles
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Tarbert (in Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic pronounced as /ən̪ˠ ˈt̪ɛrʲɛbərˠʃt̪/) is the main community on Harris in the Western Isles of Scotland. The name means "isthmus", "crossing point" or "portage", in Gaelic.[1] [2] The isthmus, between the sea lochs West Loch Tarbert and East Loch Tarbert, joins south Harris to north Harris and Lewis. In 1981 it had a population of 503.[3]

Tarbert's Church of Scotland parish church was built in 1862, and is within the parish of Harris.[4] Tarbert also has a Free Presbyterian church.[5] The Very Rev Mackintosh MacKay was minister of the latter in the 1860s.

Transport

Tarbert has a car ferry terminal which operates to Uig on Skye.[6] The short A868 joins the terminal to the north–south A859 road.

Economy

The Harris distillery, a Scotch whisky and Gin distillery is located in Tarbert.[7]

The Harris Hotel is a well established hostelry in Tarbert. Originally known as the Tarbert Hotel after being built in 1865 by the 7th Earl of Dunmore as a 'sporting retreat' for anglers, the hotel has been in the hands of the same family since the early 1900s. J.M. Barrie, on his way to the estate of Amhuinnsuidhe in 1912, spent time at the hotel and engraved his signature in a dining room window.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gaelic. North Harris Trust. 18 December 2014.
  2. Web site: Placenames P-Z. Scottish Parliament. 17 August 2020.
  3. Web site: Tarbert Details. Gazetteer for Scotland. 17 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Harris, Tarbert, Parish Church. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. 18 December 2014.
  5. Web site: Harris, Tarbert, Free Presbyterian Church. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. 18 December 2014.
  6. Web site: Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy. Ships of CalMac. 18 December 2014.
  7. Book: Maclean, Charles . 2016 . Whiskypedia. A Gazetteer of Scotch Whisky . Edinburgh . Birlinn. 240–241 . 978-1-78027-401-0.