The Isle of Barra is the smallest of the islands i visited but was defiantly my favorite.  The island is not lacking in character, that's for sure and if i was going back ( probably next summer) i will definitely spend a lot more time on Barra.  Connected only a few years back by a causeway the island of Vatersay (shown bottom left of map above) now integrates well with Barra and both offer a whole heap of stunning golden beaches.  Barra is a truly Gaelic speaking island and to hear the locals is quite funny ( in a good way !)  The island itself is only 6 miles long and 5 miles wide but they have fitted a lot onto that space.  Most of my time was spent in the north where we camped at the world famous Barra airport, this airport has the most unique runway ever ! only available twice a day when the tide is out planes land on the huge Northbay where the sand forms a concrete like surface.  The landing lights are supplied by cars and really is a sight to see.  The main town of the island Castlebay sits at the south of the island and its name is pretty obvious, Kisimul Castle sits right in the bay and again a sight to be hold.  The whole of Barra is accessed by a ring road that runs right round the island where the frequent bus service can come in handy.  Across from Castlebay you can take the causeway over to the island of Vatersay which until not that many years ago was uninhabited.  The long golden beaches are fantastic and standing at the north west tip of the island you get a great view of the "Mighty Atlantic" as well as Barra's craggy western edge.  The main mountain of Barra, Ben Heaval can be climbed easily and is a fine vantage point to view the rest of the island and the other Western Isles.  Barra has been called "the most beautiful wee island in the UK"...i would have to agree !

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