Rodel at the south east tip of Harris some 2.5 miles from Leverburgh and backed by Roneval (1,506 ft), one of the island's few real hills, has a pier (noted for its fishing facilities), but its outstanding attraction is the Church of St Clement's, a gem of architecture and stone carving.
Built in 1500, the church has strong associations with Iona Cathedral, as some of the stone is apparently identical with the stone from Mull used at Iona.
Set on a small hill overlooking its bay and the Sound of Harris, St Clement’s was built as a chapel and MacLeod burial place by Alastair Crotach, 8th Chief of the MacLeods of Dunvegan, in Skye, and his tomb, probably designed by himself, is the most remarkable in the church.
On the south side of the choir and recessed into the wall, the tomb was set up in l528, Under a richly carved pointed arch with biblical and hagiographical scenes and above the efiigy of the MacLeod Chief in armour are Latin inscriptions, a fanciful religious panel and Celtic hunting scene.
The church, splendidly restored by the Countess of Dunmore in l873, is cruciform, with a sturdy square tower, has a nave, choir and two transeptal aisles, and there is some interesting Celtic ornamentation, it is the only cruciform medieval church in the Western Isles.
St Clement’s is in the care of the Department of the Environment, which provides a leaflet on the sculptured tombs and other points of interest. and the key may be obtained from Rodel Hotel.
Leverburgh is home to a community shop, primary school, and the ferry terminal that connects you to the Isle of Uists. Rodel is located on the south-eastern coast of Harris, which is an island in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Harris has a rich cultural legacy and a fascinating history.
Discovering Rodel Holiday Accommodation
The coastline is littered with beaches that range in size from the little to the three miles wide Luskentyre and Scarista beaches. All of these beaches provide breathtaking views over pure blue waters to the neighbouring islands of the Outer Hebrides.
The machair is a fertile low-lying ground along the coast, which is abundant with wildflowers and birdlife, including seals and sea otters, and including golden and white-tailed eagles, which are regularly sighted in the area. Walks to the beaches are along the paths and tracks that crisscross the machair. Find a log cabin that has a wood burning stove, a sauna, and a jacuzzi for two people. The interior should be nice.
You can catch the ferry to the mainland in Stornoway, which is only a short drive away. Stornoway is also home to the University of the Highlands and Islands, Lews Castle College, and a wider variety of shops and facilities. Additionally, it is home to an airport and a ferry terminal that connects to Ullapool, which is located on the mainland of Scotland.
Harris is a region of mountains, lochs, coastal islands, crystal clear azure blue waters, and magnificent white sandy beaches. Lewis and Harris are the largest and most northerly islands in the Western Isles. Lewis and Harris make up the Western Isles. A short distance separates Ceol na Mara from Tarbert, the primary town on the Isle of Harris. Tarbert is a community that is home to two hotels as well as a number of stores and boutiques. In addition to the ferry terminal to the Isle of Skye, the Harris Sports Centre with a swimming pool and a secondary school that provides free transportation are all located in Tarbert. There are a number of beaches along the shore, including Luskentyre and Scarista beaches, among others. Find hikes to the beaches via the trails and tracks that take you across the machair. Each of these routes offers breathtaking views over crystal clear waters to the neighbouring islands of the Outer Hebrides. The lush low-lying plain along the coast is teeming with wildflowers and wildlife, including golden and white tailed eagles, which are frequently seen in the area. Eagles are a common sight. Find lochs lying at the base of rugged, weathered granite the Lewisian Gneiss one of the oldest rocks in the world and the fauna on the island is varied, making this a good area for photography with a whole rang of wildlife such as eagles and buzzards on the hill and seals and otters along the shore. Find lochs lying at the base of rugged, weathered granite the Lewisian Gneiss one of the oldest rocks.
- Rodel Latitude: 57.7445° N Longitude: 6.9676° W
- Rodel Postcode HS5
- Rodel WOEID 33465
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