With a population of around 500, Tarbert is the capital of Harris. The village only dates back to 1779 when it was established as a fishing settlement. Gradually it took over from Rodel which had always been the historical capital of Harris. Here visitors will find a couple of craft shops, a branch of the Bank of Scotland, two grocery stores, a hotel, a motel and a filling station. Mobile shops selling bakery products, fish and groceries tour the island and make regular stops in Tarbert. A mobile Royal Bank of Scotland also visits the village and other parts of Harris. One of the island's Asian families runs a shop in the main street which sells clothes, shoes, gifts, toiletries, household goods, etc. and is something of an Ali Baba's Cavern.