The island of Barra

BARRA and VATERSAY form the southern tip of the Hebridean island chain. If small is beautiful they surely qualify, with an amazing 1,000 species of wild flowers identified on Barra alone. Loch waters glint in the sunlight, with the white sands backed by the mountain Heaval.
By the time history came to be recorded, other structures appeared in the landscape; castles and religious buildings. Outstanding is Kisimul Castle on Barra, with its main tower dating from about 1120. The castle is on its own island and dominates the bay after which Castlebay is named. Ancient home of the chief of the Clan MacNeils. Open to the public and not to be missed.The chapels at Cille Bharra are well preserved and the whole site contains much of interest.

Barra now boasts the Barra Heritage & Cultural Centre in Castlebay, and the Thatched Cottage at Craigston.

QUEEN VICTORIA’s ROCK

By Bagh a Tuath (Northbay) - Close by the dam a rock rises beside the A888 road which, when viewed from the Northbay side, shows a remarkable resemblance to Queen Victoria’s profile.

 

Brevig harbour in Barra

Closing days and Sundays

The deeply held religious beliefs on all the islands are one of the features that make life here in the Western Isles so different from mainland Britain.

Most of the shops, petrol stations, etc are closed and there is no scheduled public transport on Sundays. 

 

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