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A Day on the Isle of Barra: A Travel Video

July 31, 2016 By Katie MacLeod 19 Comments

Plane landing Isle of Barra

The Isle of Barra may be one of the smaller Hebridean islands – but that doesn’t mean it has little to offer.

A day on the Isle of Barra – and it’s even smaller neighbour, Vatersay – offers a little bit of everything the Outer Hebrides has to offer.

You’ll find white sand beaches, an imposing castle, hills and moorland, and Hebridean sheep lazing by the side of the road (or in Barra’s case, on the golf course).  And that’s before you get to the famous Barra Airport, the only place in the world where commercial flights land on the beach.

Although I’ve spent most of my life living in the islands, this March was the first time I found myself in Barra, and despite the wind and rain, it was wonderful. But don’t take my word for it: press play on the video and transport yourself to the Isle of Barra!

Music: Maraiche Nan Aighe, by Manran.

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Have you ever been to any of the locations in the video, or would you like to visit?

Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!

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Want more stories from the Outer Hebrides?

A Local’s Guide to Visiting the Outer Hebrides

A Boat Trip to the Shiant Isles – On Video!

The Outer Hebrides: A Travel Video

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Comments

  1. Eric Morrison says

    July 31, 2016 at 5:49 am

    Great music on this great wee video.
    For anyone who has never been blessed by a visit to these wonderful little islands do not be put off by the sight of rain!
    One minute it can be like the video but the next you’ll have glorious sunshine and, when the sun is out, I swear you will think you’ve arrived in some south-seas destination. Such is the magnificence of the beaches. You will be astounded by the scenery you’ll see at every turn of the road.
    As my old granny used to say ” what’s the problem about rain? Your skin is waterproof!”
    And, there’s always the pub to visit until the sun reappears.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 3, 2016 at 6:13 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Eric! And you’re right – you can’t be put off by rain in Barra, or in the rest of the islands 🙂

      Reply
  2. Elle says

    July 31, 2016 at 11:21 am

    Spent 4 days on Barra with 200 other MacNeils from around the world. Would LOVE to go back to that peaceful little island!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 3, 2016 at 6:14 pm

      That sounds like an amazing experience, Elle – I hope you get to visit again sometime soon!

      Reply
  3. Elspeth says

    July 31, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    Hi there,
    I used to fly down to Barra from Stornoway for work. When I’d finished my meetings I would wander across the beach collecting mussels into a little cool bag. I’d then lie in the sand in the sunshine listening to Oyster catchers and wording my reports in my head, my brief -case lying abandoned beside me. My shoes would be off so that I could wriggle my toes in the white sands whilst waiting for the plane to arrive. When I got home to Stornoway we would cook the little bag of fresh mussels in white wine and garlic for supper.
    Some summers we would drive to Barra and camp along the shore. I’m not sure if the campsite is still there. Did you see it?

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 3, 2016 at 6:16 pm

      Hi Elspeth! Thanks for your lovely comment – that sounds like absolute bliss! (And oyster catchers are one of my favourite birds; I love watching them on the beach.) I didn’t notice the campsite, but I could have easily missed it. I really want to visit again in the sunshine (especially after reading about your experience!).

      Reply
  4. John Carter says

    July 31, 2016 at 6:44 pm

    My favourite island. Used to visit regularly and have walked all over Barra. Unfortunately I am now a long way off, living in Brisbane, Australia. Tried to persuade my wife we should live on Barra but no joy.

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 3, 2016 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks for your comment, John! I bet Barra is lovely to go for walks on – sadly the weather didn’t cooperate with me this time!

      Reply
  5. Susan Delaney says

    August 1, 2016 at 1:35 pm

    I wrote two novels with settings in the Outer Hebrides. I think these islands are the most beautiful places I’ve ever visited, especially Barra.

    Susan Delaney

    Reply
  6. Katie MacLeod says

    August 3, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    Hi Susan! Thanks so much for your comment. I’ve read More Full of Weeping, and loved it 🙂 (You might remember getting an email from me about 4 years ago, when I wrote about it for The Heb Magazine in Stornoway – it’s so lovely to hear from you again!)

    Reply
    • Susan Delaney says

      August 3, 2016 at 7:05 pm

      Thank you! The Heb is a wonderful magazine. Celtic Crossing is my latest novel–partially set on Barra. I really, really want to get back there!

      Reply
      • Katie MacLeod says

        August 4, 2016 at 9:55 pm

        Oh, I’ll have to read it! I want to go back to Barra too – especially since the weather was so bad on my first visit!

        Reply
        • Susan Delaney says

          August 5, 2016 at 10:28 am

          I’d like to say, “I’ll see you there!” but I have no idea when I’ll get back. Someday…

          Reply
  7. Camila @ AdventitiousViolet says

    August 4, 2016 at 11:49 am

    Wow, very cool!! I love seeing how the plane operates – though it’s making me not want to take it now haha and I love the views on the beaches and those massive waves! Beautiful!

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 4, 2016 at 9:56 pm

      It does look a little nerve-wracking, doesn’t it?! I thought that when we watched them land… I still want to fly in one, even if I’m terrified haha!

      Reply
  8. Jenny says

    August 23, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    I went to Barra in April, en route to Harris. Loved it! We planned to hire bikes and cycle round the island but woke up to hurricane force winds so decided against it. I will just have to go back

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      August 25, 2016 at 2:02 pm

      Thanks for your comment, Jenny – I’m so glad to hear you loved it too! I need to go back as well, on a sunnier day… those beaches look gorgeous in good weather 🙂

      Reply
  9. Isabella Brown says

    November 20, 2021 at 2:52 pm

    The plane will land as soon as the traffic controller has his tea, aye? ❤️ On our last trip to the islands that was the announcement. Most heavenly place in Scotland. ❤️

    Reply
    • Katie MacLeod says

      January 7, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      That’s absolutely brilliant 🙂 ! (And doesn’t surprise me at all!)

      Reply

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I'm Katie, an expat Scot in the States, and the journalist behind Stories My Suitcase Could Tell, the travel blog which inspires you to explore the world. Read More…

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