Planning A Journey To The Isle of Barra – Wayfaring Kiwi

Ah, the gorgeous Isle of Barra- with its hilly panorama and craggy shoreline, machair and moorland, sea and surf and a few of the most improbable seashores on the earth.

We not too long ago spent 5 blissful days on the island that has earned the nicknames Barradise and Barrabados, and now I’m right here that can assist you plan your good island journey!

Barra is an island that does require ahead planning and you have to guide some issues properly prematurely. Having mentioned that, you additionally must have some flexibility and transfer with the move of island life. Ferry/flight delays and cancellations and wild climate can disrupt your journey, so you have to be adaptable.

Keep in mind- the islanders reside with these inconveniences, and it’s all a part of the allure of dwelling life on a rugged and distant island.

In saying that, our journey went properly with only a few hitches!

On this information, I’ve included the need-to-know info when planning a visit to Barra: tips on how to get to Barra, what you have to know concerning the island’s opening hours, public transport choices, issues to do on Barra, and many extra useful ideas!

What number of days do you have to discover Barra?

We spent 4 nights and 4 full days on the Isle of Barra, and I believe this can be a good period of time to discover the island (in addition to Vatersay) at a gradual tempo.

As a result of the climate on this facet of the Atlantic is usually a little unpredictable (and changeable), it’s a good suggestion to plan for a gradual journey journey in case you have to put actions off or swap issues round because of wild climate days.

We had two improbable days stuffed with sunshine, and two windy and wet days. It was nice to expertise each varieties of climate; we ventured to the seashore on the sunny days, and had some downtime on the wilder days!

A visit to Barra isn’t full and not using a day trip within the sunshine, so staying for a bit longer than a weekend offers you a greater likelihood of experiencing Barrabados!

When is the most effective time to go to Barra?

We visited through the peak vacationer season in the course of summer season (July/August) and I believe that is the right time to go to. We had some excellent summer season days- and we even managed to have a few seashores all to ourselves. Summer season can also be when the wildflowers on the machair bloom- it’s a magical sight to see!

As a result of Barra is such a distant island, it doesn’t entice massive crowds of vacationers, and the island didn’t really feel busy to us in any respect. The one situation chances are you’ll encounter is discovering availability for lodging and tours- however I’ll talk about reserving excursions and sights later on this article.

Nearly all of locations on Barra are open between April and September, so intention to go to throughout this time.

How To Get To Barra

There are two methods to get to the Isle of Barra:

• Fly and do the well-known touchdown on the seashore
• Catch the ferry

By air

The quickest (and coolest) solution to get to Barra is by air. Do you know Barra is house to the world’s solely seashore airport for scheduled flights? Touchdown on the Traigh Mhòr seashore is an unforgettable expertise. That is how we selected to journey to the island!

The small twin otter airplane seats simply 12 folks, and you may see proper into the cockpit. On a transparent day, get pleasure from views of the North Atlantic ocean and different Hebridean islands together with Mull, Coll, Eigg and Rum earlier than you start your descent into Barra.

The touchdown on the seashore is the smoothest touchdown I’ve skilled, the truth is, you possibly can barely inform if you contact the bottom!

We paid £340 for two adults and 1 toddler, for return tickets from Glasgow.

Flights to Barra depart twice day by day from Glasgow with Loganair. The flight takes simply 1 hour and quarter-hour. Go to the Loganair web site to guide.

By ferry

The primary ferry that travellers take to the Isle of Barra departs from Oban and takes 4 hours and 45 minutes. It’s also possible to catch a ferry to Barra from Tiree, Eriskay, or Lochboisdale should you had been planning on visiting different islands earlier than Barra.

The Oban ferry travels to Castlebay, the primary city in Barra; the ferries from Tiree and Lochboisdale additionally sail to Castlebay. The Eriskay ferry travels to Ardmhor on the northeast coast.

Can you’re taking a automotive throughout on the ferry? Sure, you possibly can! I like to recommend reserving your area on the ferry in advance- particularly should you’re travelling within the summer- as areas can replenish rapidly. Though Barra is a small island, having a automotive to discover the island is far simpler than utilizing public transport on the island, because the bus is intermittent.

One of the simplest ways to examine ferry timetables and guide your tickets is by way of the CalMac web site.

Services in Barra

Castlebay is house to a Co-op grocery store, which has all of the necessities you’ll want. They’ve a wonderful vary of child provides; they promote Aptamil and Cow & Gate child formulation, in each premade bottles and powdered formulation.

Bùth Bharraigh is a social enterprise and is the island’s customer info centre and store. The store sells recent regionally sourced produce and has a refillery. It’s additionally an important place to do some purchasing to select up some distinctive presents made by locals. They’ve a big bookshop with loads of titles concerning the Outer Hebrides and the remainder of Scotland. It’s also possible to sit down for a cup of tea or espresso and use their free Wi-Fi, they usually have two seashore wheelchairs guests can use. For a full listing of their companies, go to their web site.

The Submit Workplace has a tearoom that opens at 10.30 am. They serve tea, espresso and an assortment of desserts. Barra Island Shops promote ice cream and it’s also possible to order pizza and chips and different heat meals for lunch.

Garadh A Bhagh A Tuath on the northeast facet of the island is a group backyard that has an exquisite cafe that’s well-liked with locals.

Greim at Grinn is a well-liked meals stall that sells regionally sourced seafood. Their opening hours and menu could be discovered on their Fb web page.

Over on the west coast, the Isle of Barra Seashore Resort serves tea, espresso and cake from 12.30 pm – 3.30 pm. Additionally they have a bar that opens at 6 pm.

For dinner, Cafe Kisimul is an island establishment that serves Indian and Italian dishes with their elements sourced from the island. Castlebay Resort and The Craigard Resort each have eating places which are open for dinner.

The airport has a merchandising machine (the cafe is closed).

Lodging on Barra

Discovering the right lodging on Barra is usually a little difficult as a result of the vast majority of lodging suppliers don’t listing on lodging aggregators akin to Reserving.com and Airbnb. However by no means fear- I’m right here to assist!

The most effective locations to search out lodging in Barra embrace the Go to Outer Hebrides web site, Barra Lodging (which has a useful location map), and by contacting Bùth Bharraigh who can help you with discovering appropriate lodging.

Listed here are a few of my suggestions for lodging in Barra:

My suggestion: The Annexe in Castlebay

We stayed at The Annexe in Castlebay, a self-catering Airbnb positioned proper within the coronary heart of the city. My favorite factor about this lodging is the unbelievable view of Kisimul Citadel and the bay from the lounge. Every night we loved the view of the Calmac ferry sliding into the bay bringing new guests to the island.

As a result of we had been travelling with Alex when he was simply 8 months previous, we opted for a self-catering property so we had cooking amenities to organize his meals, and so we might put him down for naps in a separate room so we might have a break ourselves!

The Annexe…

• Sleeps 2 (plus a child)
• Is dog-friendly
• Has a washer and garments horse
• Has a kitchen with an oven and hob
• Has 5-star views overlooking the bay, Kisimul Citadel, and throughout to Vatersay
• Is inside strolling distance of eating places and cafes
• Is positioned immediately throughout from the ferry terminal

Extra lodging suggestions

• Resort suggestion: Isle of Barra Seashore Resort – this resort is positioned on the distant seashore of Tangasdale on the western facet of the island, a five-minute drive from the city of Castlebay. If you wish to get up and have the seashore at your fingertips, that is the perfect place to remain. They’ve a restaurant and bar, and should you’re arriving late you possibly can preorder a meal in an effort to merely chill out and benefit from the view of the seashore instantly!
• Hostel suggestion: Dunard Hostel – for these visiting the Isle of Barra on a funds, the Dunard Hostel is the right selection. Situated centrally in Castlebay, all amenities, cafes and eating places are inside strolling distance, and the ferry terminal is simply throughout the highway. The hostel also can prepare actions akin to sea kayaking and paddleboarding.
• Visitor home suggestion: Tigh Na Mara Visitor Home – positioned within the coronary heart of Castlebay with views throughout to Kisimul Citadel and the neighbouring island of Vatersay, Tigh Na Mara Visitor Home is a comfortable stone cottage turned mattress and breakfast.

Campsites on Barra

Travelling to Barra in a camper or motorhome is a well-liked solution to discover the island. You may take your camper throughout on the Calmac ferry, and benefit from the island at your leisure.

Barra is house to six campsites. You may seek for info on campsites in Barra on the Go to Outer Hebrides web site, and the Bùth Bharraigh web site has some useful details about tenting in Barra.

You should definitely make reservations at campsites prematurely.

Sustainability journey tip

Relatively than wild tenting on Barra, attempt to use designated campsites. It’s a win-win, you’ll have entry to electrical energy, water, and dumping sites- and also you received’t be damaging fragile ecosystems akin to Machair. DO NOT drive or camp on the Machair- these ecosystems are one of many rarest habitats in Europe for birds and a spread of wildflowers. The number of crops on the machair encourages quite a lot of invertebrates, which in flip attracts birds to the machair to feed and breed. It’s additionally the favoured house of nice yellow bumblebees.

Ideas for making bookings

The idea of ‘island time’ on Barra

Being an island within the Outer Hebrides, Barra subscribes to one thing known as ‘island time’- which mainly implies that the islanders don’t work to a inflexible schedule, and can generally solely get round to performing some issues on their very own time. It’s not laziness- they simply don’t do the rat race.

So how does this have an effect on travellers? If attempting to guide an exercise, chances are you’ll not obtain a reply instantly, or at all- particularly should you’ve left your planning late.

Opening hours (and days) can range for eating places and cafes. Web site info could not at all times be updated. My finest tip is to examine the companies’ Instagram or Fb web page for opening info. Many cafes, eating places and meals vehicles publish their opening hours (and availability of meals) on their social media pages.

Although generally it may be just a little irritating, top-of-the-line issues concerning the islands is the slower tempo of life. Attempt to embrace it, however on the similar time, attempt to be organised and guide any automotive rent, lodging or excursions properly prematurely!

Is it true every little thing closes on a Sunday?

If you end up on an island within the Outer Hebrides on a Sunday, don’t be shocked should you discover that just about every little thing is closed. The Outer Hebridean islands are fairly non secular, therefore why issues come to a standstill on a Sunday.

Nonetheless, Barra is a slight exception to the ‘every little thing is closed on a Sunday’ rule. Barra is likely one of the least non secular islands within the Outer Hebrides, so some locations are nonetheless open. You may at all times purchase meals on the Co-Op in Castlebay, so that you received’t go hungry!

Flights from Glasgow to Barra nonetheless function on a Sunday (the truth is, this was after we arrived). The CalMac ferry additionally runs on Sundays.

The bus doesn’t function on Sundays, so that you’ll both must have your individual automotive or get a taxi across the island.

Bùth Bharraigh is open on a Sunday, however has lowered hours of 12 pm-4 pm and 6 pm-7 pm.

Cafe Kisimul, The Craigard Resort, and Castlebay Resort are all open for dinner. The Vatersay Corridor Cafe is open from 12-3 pm.

My recommendation is to examine the opening hours of wherever you propose to go to on a Sunday. Or plan a day on the seashore!

Ideas For Getting Round Barra

There are a couple of alternative ways of exploring Barra:

• Automobile
• Bus
• Taxi
• Driving tour
• Bike or e-Bike

Exploring Barra by automotive

The simplest solution to discover Barra is by automotive. Though Barra is a small island, there may be tons to see and do, and having a automotive implies that you’ll be capable to see extra. You may deliver a automotive throughout on the ferry, or you possibly can attempt hiring one on the island.

You may rent a automotive with Barra Automobile Rent, nevertheless, you have to guide properly prematurely as a result of they’ve a restricted variety of automobiles, plus they are often difficult to get ahold of! For extra info, name Barra Automobile Rent on 01871 890313.

For those who do want to rent a automotive, I like to recommend hiring a automotive from Celtic Legend and bringing it throughout on the ferry.

Exploring Barra by bus

Buses on Barra are intermittent, calling each few hours or so, so you actually need to plan your day properly should you plan on utilizing public transport. Typically buses will depart early too- we noticed our bus depart a couple of minutes earlier than it was meant to depart, which means we missed it!

My recommendation is to indicate as much as the bus cease quarter-hour earlier than your bus is because of depart so that you don’t miss it like we did.

You should definitely carry money for the bus. You may view the Barra bus timetable right here.

Exploring Barra by taxi

As a result of we didn’t have our personal automotive and we had been travelling with an 8-month-old, we relied on taxis to get us the place we needed to go. We used Dan’s Taxis and our driver Cursty was completely improbable! Cursty transported us everywhere in the island, together with driving us to Vatersay and returning a couple of hours later to select us up, and taking us to and from the airport.

She was additionally glad to cease and allow us to have a look at some sights alongside the best way (should you’d like to do that, ask your taxi driver prematurely in case they’ve extra bookings after you).

Taxis on Barra are handy and inexpensive, with an airport switch to Castlebay costing simply £20.

Exploring Barra by tour

For those who’d favor a personal driving tour of the Isle of Barra, guide a tour with Rob from Barra Island Excursions.

A non-public driving tour is a good way to see the island should you don’t have a automotive and also you’re brief on time.

Rob has lived on Barra for over 17 years, and runs his tour enterprise together with his son, Paul. Customary excursions for as much as 4 passengers final between 3-4 hours

Barra Island Excursions additionally presents a personal taxi service and airport pick-up and drop-off.

Exploring Barra by bike

Barra by bicycle is a good way to discover the island. Barra Bike Rent is regionally owned and positioned in Castlebay.

Customary bike rent prices:

• £14 for a half-day rent
• £20 for a full-day rent (cheaper for a number of days)

E-bike rent prices:

• £28 for a half-day
• £38 for a full-day (cheaper for a number of days)

Go to the Barra Bike Rent web site to guide.

Issues To Do On Barra

I’ve written an in depth information on issues to do on Barra, so ensure you give {that a} learn. Simply rapidly, listed below are a few of my favorite issues to do:

Kisimul Citadel

Kisimul Citadel interprets to ‘citadel island’ and was house to the MacNeils of Barra. The citadel was constructed within the 1400s and was the house of the clan chief. When the tide rolls within the citadel seems as if it’s floating on water!

In 2001, the present chief leased the citadel to Historic Scotland for an annual price of £1 and a bottle of whisky (Talisker, should you’re questioning!).

The citadel is at present closed to permit for conservation works, nevertheless, the Castlebay Marina presents free boat excursions to the citadel on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. You may guide this both on the marina or on the Bùth Bharraigh store and customer info.

Go to Isle of Barra Distillers store

Isle of Barra Distillers is a family-run gin distillery positioned within the coronary heart of Castlebay.

Made with chosen botanicals from the land and carrageen seaweed collected from the ocean, their Barra Atlantic Gin is, fairly actually, Barra in a bottle.

The gorgeous Barra Atlantic Gin bottle jogs my memory of the rippling waters that encompass the island- clear and clear, and so crisp you’re feeling tempted to cup your fingers collectively and take a protracted drink.

Additionally they promote a spread of gin liqueurs, together with Rhubarb and Heather, Strawberry and Ginger, and an island darkish rum. I heard a hearsay they’ve a whisky coming too!

You may go to their store in Castlebay and choose up a bottle or two for your self.

Tangasdale Seashore

An attractive vast sweep of white sand and azure waters, Tangasdale Seashore is one among my favorite seashores on Barra. The Isle of Barra Seashore Resort, constructed within the form of an upside-down ship, is the place to remain if you wish to get up with views of this idyllic seashore.

Discover the rockpool that sits on the rocky shoreline subsequent to the resort, or the stroll to Dùn Ban and Halaman Bay.

The resort presents tea, espresso and cake to guests between 12.30-3.30 pm. Additionally they have a pub that’s open from 6 pm.

Go on a wildlife boat journey

Hebridean Sea Excursions has a visit round Barra and Vatersay known as the Bays Explorer Tour. On this wildlife boat journey, you may have the chance to identify dolphins, basking sharks, seals and loads of sea birds with frequent sightings of Golden and Sea eagles.

It’s also possible to enterprise additional afield on their tour to the uninhabited islands of Mingulay, Pabbay and Berneray that lay south of Barra.

A day journey to Vatersay

Left: Traigh a Bhaigh seashore; Proper: The Piece of Cake Honesty Field

Vatersay is one other island within the Outer Hebrides that’s linked to Barra by way of a causeway. It’s house to a few of the most beautiful seashores in Scotland, the place you’ll generally discover cows enjoyable on the white sands!

There are sufficient issues to do on Vatersay to final a complete day, so give your self ample time to discover this island gem. I like to recommend mountain climbing the Vatersay Circuit adopted by a meal on the cafe within the Group Corridor. You should definitely name in on the Piece of Cake honesty field within the village for the most effective Malteeser slice I’ve ever tasted!

What does a visit to Barra price?

To present you a common thought of what a visit to Barra prices, I’ve included what we paid for flights, lodging, transport, dinner and purchasing. Please notice I didn’t embrace any ideas within the following estimations, and I didn’t embrace the price of breakfast as we bought breakfast from the Co-op and loved it at our lodging.

• 4 nights lodging at The Annexe – £585
• Return flights for two adults from Glasgow to Barra – £340
• Taxi companies across the island – £70
• Dinner on the Craigard Resort for two folks – £90
• Dinner at Cafe Kisimul for two folks – £70
• Common price of lunch per day for two folks at a restaurant – £15
• Buying – £200

Complete price: £1430

Extra ideas for visiting Barra

• Carry money. There are nonetheless some locations on the island the place you have to cash- for instance, the honesty bins and when tipping taxi drivers or servers. We carried £200 and this lasted us 4 days.
• The sign is just not nice on the island. Most cafes and eating places have free Wi-fi you should use. Take screenshots of any web site info chances are you’ll want (akin to on-line mountain climbing guides) and you should definitely carry a map and compass with you should you enterprise out mountain climbing.
• Pack sunscreen. You’ll want it should you expertise the Barrabados climate!
• Pack layers. Even on a sunny day if there’s a breeze it might probably get just a little chilly.
• Pack your mountain climbing boots. We undoubtedly wanted our mountain climbing boots for the stroll round Vatersay, which was very boggy in elements! The floor of the island is sort of rocky and uneven inland, so that you undoubtedly must pack correct mountain climbing footwear.
• E-book your eating places in advance- particularly if you wish to nab a seat at Cafe Kisimul. I booked our desk simply over per week prematurely, and the restaurant was full the night time we dined.
• If driving across the island, you should definitely wave to any locals you move. They’re very pleasant!

Useful books to learn

Earlier than I go to a location in Scotland I like to learn books or watch movies concerning the space. Listed here are a few of my suggestions to learn and watch earlier than you go to:

• The Barra Boy – an intriguing thriller set in Barra within the eighties and current day.
• Whisky Galore (the guide and the movie) by Sir Compton Mackenzie – a Scottish traditional a couple of boat carrying whisky that sank off the coast of Barra.
• The Boy Who Lived Earlier than (documentary) – a documentary of a boy from Glasgow who has recollections of a previous life dwelling in Barra.
• Barra & Vatersay by Iain Kirk Campbell – an exquisite pictures guide with descriptions of the primary sights on Barra and Vatersay.
• Strolling on Uist and Barra by Mike Townsend – a Cicerone guidebook with route maps and strolling descriptions for a lot of walks and mountain climbing on Barra.

Are you planning a visit to the Isle of Barra? If in case you have a query, depart a remark under and I’ll do my finest to reply!