About Isle of Barra

The Isle of Barra is the second southernmost inhabited island in the Outer Hebrides off the northwest coast of Scotland. It has secluded, golden beaches and hilly grassland blanketed by wildflowers, earning it the local nickname of ‘Barradise’. However, the standout feature on this 60-square-kilometre island is the medieval Kisimul Castle on an islet just off Castlebay to the south, from which the village gets its name. The small fortress is just a short boat ride from the harbour, offering great views from the top of the battlements. Barra is also a top location for mountaineering, with the rugged interior reaching 1257 feet. The hills have an impressive statue of Madonna at the top and also offers superb panoramic views, so remember to bring your camera. For one of the smallest islands in the Outer Hebrides, Barra offers a wide choice of sailing options with two ports providing frequent crossings to the mainland and nearby islands. You can sail from Castlebay in the south and from Ardmhor to the north, which are both found just off the A888 circular road.

About Scotland

Scotland is the Northernmost of the four countries that form the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Surrounded by the North Atlantic Ocean to the West and North, the North Sea to the East and across the border to the South you’ll find England. Scotland is a lively and friendly country, rich in history and heritage dating back thousands of years. People flock here to visit not only the beautiful mountains and valleys, rolling hills, forests and rocky coastlines but also for the experiences that Scotland has to offer. Whether you’re looking to play a game of golf at the very place it was invented or to visit one of the many distilleries for some whiskey tasting, Scotland has much to offer any visitor. In terms of arriving by ferry to Scotland, from Northern Ireland there’s a choice of year round services from and to numerous ports with sailings operated by modern and well-equipped ferries. There are no longer any direct ferries from continental Europe to Scotland however there are numerous crossings to England and Ireland that get you close enough.