The Isle of Barra, The Outer Hebrides
Our love affair with the Outer Hebrides continued as we arrived on the Isle of Barra, sailing from Eriskay. Barra is the perfect combination of everything special about the Outer Hebrides. At only 8 miles long and 5 miles wide and one only main curricular road around the island, Barra is definitely one of Scotland’s smaller islands! What it lacks in size, however, it definitely makes up for in charm and character! Stunning beaches, rugged mountains, community spirit, rich in wildlife and strong clan history. Barra was also the most family friendly island we visited. You can watch a short visit of our time on the Isle of Barra here. You can buy a Google map guide to the Outer Hebrides here.
Where is the Island of Barra?
Barra is an island in the Outer Hebrides, off the West Coast of the Scottish mainland and the second southernmost inhabited island there, after the adjacent island of Vatersay to which it is connected by a 200m causeway.
How can you get to the Isle of Barra?
Often a visit to Barra is combined with a visit to the other Outer Hebridean islands, however Barra is worth a ferry journey in its own right. There are several ways to get to Barra, but if you are reading this blog, then the likelihood is you are wanting to head there in your campervan. The Caledonian MacBrayne Ferry sails from Oban to Castlebay daily during the summer months and five times a week in the winter. This is nearly a five hour ferry journey, but absolutely worth it. If you are travelling from Barra from Uist, you can take a small car ferry from Eriskay. This 40 minute journey runs daily up to five times a day.
Alternatively, if you wanted to travel to Barra in complete luxury, you could choose to fly into Barra Airport. It is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights land on a tidal beach! Flights are scheduled with the tide times, operating twice daily flights to and from Glasgow - producing a vital link for residents and visitors alike. Orange windsocks blow to alert the public that the airport is in use, so the public need to stay off the beach. When the airport is closed and the windsocks are down, members of the public are free to walk and enjoy the beach! Click here to see a plane landing on the beach.
How long do you need to explore Barra?
This is a difficult question and one dependent mostly on the availability of your own time. We spent three nights and four days there, however we would have happily enjoyed a week, or you could drive around the island in less than an hour! If you intend to explore Barra as part of a bigger Outer Hebrides trip, then I’d recommend you save at least a couple of days to enjoy Barra especially if you are travelling with children - this was the island my own children loved most.
What do I need to know before camping in the Isle of Barra?
Barra is a very small island and the usual apps we use to find wild camping spots showed absolutely no suggestions. On arrival and after driving around the island in less than an hour, we realised there are few options to wild camp in Barra and none of the official designated overnight parking areas that we had got used to in the rest of the Outer Hebrides. The island is perfectly compact, with only one main circular road around it. If you are happy to camp next to the main road, then there are a couple of options, but for us as a family with a dog, that isn’t an option. Click here for Wild Camping Dos and Don’ts. Instead we emailed a local campsite and luckily they had an availability for as long as we wanted on a non-electric pitch. We arrived at Scurrival Campsite to the warmest welcome we have ever received in our lives and we instantly knew we’d made the right decision. Angus greeted us all as if we were long-lost friends - apparently it’s the Hebridean way. Click here for a full review.
➡️ For a full list of campsites open in 2021 www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk website.
Castlebay is the largest village in Barra. There is a large coop, which sells a wide range of fresh produce. Bùth Bharraigh is a community run shop that sells local home baking, homemade vegetarian meals, crafts, gifts and produce including fish. It also brings in a wide range of wholefoods, yarn and craft supplies, books (English and Gaelic), fishing and surfing accessories.
Whilst there are very few opportunities to wild camp on Barra, there are some designated overnight parking spots in adjoining Vatersay. A donation of £5 is asked. There are no facilities in these areas, or wifi so please ensure you are a self-contained unit.
What else do I need to know before visiting?
✅ There is only one official chemical disposal point in Barra at Castle Bay Pier, but the majority of campsites will allow you to empty waste for a small fee. You can find a map of all of the chemical disposal sites throughout the Outer Hebrides here.
✅ Actively support the island economy - use campsites, ensure you pay for use of community overnight parking spots, visit cafes, shops and local traders. Often the smallest shops will be overflowing with essentials. The smallest campsites are very affordable. We paid only £10.
✅ The local Coop has more than enough fresh produce. You do not need to stock up before arriving. The prices also reflect those on the mainland.
❌ Open fires are not encouraged and not permitted on the machair (coastal grassland).
✅ Ensure you always leave no trace. All rubbish should be emptied in the bins provided, or take it with you if they are full. For more Dos and Don’t when Wild Camping, click here.
➡️ Everyone is encouraged to use recycling points to minimise waste and help maintain the environment. Again, a list of these can be found on the Visit Outer Hebrides website and they are easy to spot as you drive.
What is there to do on the Isle of Barra?
Barra boasts some of the most beautiful beaches we’ve ever seen. Similar to the beaches in Harris, they are huge expanses of white sand and crystal clear water.
Other places to visit in Harris:
Climb Heaval - this is the highest hill on Barra, at a height of 383 meters. The views from the top are spectacular, particularly looking down towards Castlebay.
Go Golden Eagle spotting
Watch a plane land at Barra Airport
Explore the amazing beaches of Barra
Visit Vatersay
In summary, this tiny, but perfectly formed island will be sure to captivate you! Its friendly locals, balance of beautiful beaches and rugged hills will keep you wanting more.
The Outer Hebrides Top Picks
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Buy your Google Map guide to the Outer Hebrides here. It includes:
Campsite recommendations, overnight parking/ community wild camping spots, chemical disposal points, must see attractions and towns, beaches, hikes, food and drink recommendations, driving routes and blog post links.
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