Isle of Barra tourist information

The wonderful Isle of Barra is the archetypal Western Isle. One of the smallest and most remote, but packing in lovely fishing harbours, quaint stone cottage, stunning white sandy beaches and craggy hills, making this some of the most lovely scenery in a region renowned for its beauty.

The Isle of Barra is accessible from the main port of Castlebay, or more excitingly by air to the beach airstrip which only operates at high tide. Hop over the causeway to the island of Vatersay, the most southerly inhabited isle, for more terrific beaches.

Castlebay has a tourist information centre.

Barra is the setting for one of the most lovely and dramatic castles in Scotland. Kisimul Castle rises from the water on its own rock in Castlebay, looking every inch the impenetrable castle which was never defeated in battle.

Barra is also famous as the location for the classic 1949 Ealing Comedy film Whisky Galore!, based on real events in neighbouring Esriskay, after a boat carrying whisky was wrecked on the island. The author Compton Mackenzie lived on Barra and was buried on the island, his adopted home, in 1972.