English (UK)
English (US)
Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
简体中文
Castle
Kisimul Castle
Medieval castle on a rock in Castlebay, seat of the chief of Clan Macneil, reached by a short boat trip from the village.
A mini guide to
Barra & Vatersay
Kisimul Castle, the beach airport and the sands of Vatersay
Photos
Welcome to the area
Kisimul Castle, the beach airport and the sands of Vatersay
Barra is a small island near the southern end of the Outer Hebrides, about 59 square kilometres, with a hilly centre ringed by machair and beaches. Castlebay, the main village and ferry port, looks onto Kisimul Castle, the seat of the chiefs of Clan Macneil, which you reach by a short boat trip.
At the north end, planes land on the tidal beach of Tràigh Mhòr, which HIAL describes as the only scheduled beach runway in the world. A causeway links Barra to Vatersay, the southernmost inhabited island in the chain, with sandy bays and a monument to the emigrant ship Annie Jane.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Beach airport
Barra Airport
Airport on the tidal bay of Tràigh Mhòr, opened in 1936, where scheduled flights land on the beach.
Beach
Tràigh Mhòr
Wide shallow bay of cockle sand at the north end of Barra that doubles as the airport runway.
Hill
Heaval
Highest hill on Barra at 383 metres, about 1.5 km north-east of Castlebay, with views south over the Barra Isles.
Beach
Bàgh Halaman
Sandy bay on the west coast of Barra at Tangasdale, on the island ring road.
Memorial
Annie Jane Monument
Memorial on Vatersay to the emigrant ship Annie Jane, wrecked off the island in 1853 with the loss of about 350 lives.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Barra & Vatersay and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Check the tide for the airport
Flights use the tidal beach of Tràigh Mhòr. Keep off the beach when the airport is operating and follow the signs.
2
Book Kisimul in advance
Historic Environment Scotland sells tickets for Kisimul Castle that include the boat crossing at a set time.
3
Many places are seasonal
Heathbank, for example, says it is closed for the season and reopens bookings in January 2027. Check before you travel out of season.
4
Book the ferry
CalMac strongly recommends vehicle reservations on the Oban to Castlebay route.
Tips from the Britlens editors
The Outer Hebrides
More areas to explore
14 sights · 13 places to eat
Isle of Lewis & Stornoway
Stornoway, the Calanais Stones, blackhouses and the Butt of Lewis
Open the mini guide →
9 sights · 7 places to eat
Isle of Harris & Tarbert
White beaches, the Bays, Tarbert and the church at Rodel
Open the mini guide →
14 sights · 9 places to eat
The Uists & Benbecula
Machair, chambered cairns and causeways from Berneray to Eriskay
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Barra & Vatersay (area photo): Conor Lawless from North Uist, United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0, source
- Kisimul Castle: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Barra Airport: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tràigh Mhòr: Anne Burgess, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Heaval: Steve Houldsworth, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Bàgh Halaman: Nessy-Pic, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Annie Jane Monument: Tom Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Vatersay beaches: Doug Lee, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Isle of Lewis & Stornoway: LornaMCampbell, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Isle of Harris & Tarbert: Zenit, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- The Uists & Benbecula: Helen Spencer, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring The Outer Hebrides