Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sands of Tràigh Mhòr or Cockle Strand . he beach is also famously used as the island's
airport , with planes landing and taking off according to the tides, since at high tide the
beach (and therefore the runway) is covered in water. As its name suggests, the strand is
also famous for its cockles and cockleshells, the latter being used to make harling (the
rendering used on most Scottish houses).
North of the airport is the scattered settlement of EOLIGARRY (Eòlaigearraidh), with
several sheltered sandy bays. Here, too, is St Barr's Church (Cille-Bharra), burial ground
of the MacNeils (and author Compton MacKenzie). he ground lies beside the ruins
of a medieval church and two chapels, one of which houses several carved medieval
gravestones and a replica of an eleventh-century rune-inscribed cross; the original is in
the National Museum of Scotland (p.74).
14
ARRIVAL AND GETTING AROUND
BARRA
By plane Barra airport ( T 01871 890212, W hial.oc.uk)
has direct flights from and to Glasgow.
By ferry The main ferry terminal on Barra is in Castlebay,
where the ferry from Oban arrives: from Eriskay, you arrive
at an uninhabited spot on the northeast of the island.
Destinations Coll (Thurs; 4hr); Eriskay (5 daily; 40min);
Lochboisdale (Wed, Fri & Sun; 1hr 40min); Oban (1-2 daily
except Sat; 5hr); Tiree (Thurs; 2hr 45min).
By bus There's a fairly decent bus service out of Castlebay,
which does the rounds of the island.
Destinations Airport (Mon-Sat 4-7 daily; 30min); Eriskay
ferry (Mon-Sat 3-5 daily; 25min); Eoligarry (Mon-Sat
3-6 daily; 35min); Vatersay (Mon-Sat 4 daily; 20min).
By car or bike Barra Car Hire ( T 01871 890313) will
deliver cars to either ferry terminal or the airport, and Barra
Cycle Hire ( T 01871 810284) will do the same with bikes.
INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
Tourist o ce Main St, Castlebay, just round from the pier
(Easter-Sept Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun
11am-3pm; Oct same hours Mon-Sat only; Nov & Dec
Mon-Sat 9am-1pm & 2-5pm; also open to greet the
evening ferry; T 01871 810336).
Sea-kayaking Available from the Dunard Hostel .
ACCOMMODATION
Castlebay Hotel Castlebay T 01871 810223,
W castlebay-hotel.co.uk. The Castlebay is the more
welcoming of the town's two hotels - a solid Victorian pile,
with spectacular views over the bay from the restaurant
and some of the rooms. £105
Dunard Hostel Castlebay T 01871 810443,
W dunardhostel.co.uk. A relaxed, family-run place just west
of the ferry terminal in Castlebay, that has twin s, do rm beds
and a family room; they also offer sea-kayaking. £18 /person
Heathbank Hotel Northbay (Bagh a Tuath) T 01871
890266, W barrahotel.co.uk. Converted mission church
now home to a comfortable hotel and unpretentious local
watering hole run b y the very friendly and experienced
local MacLeod family. £96
Northbay House Northbay (Bagh a Tuath) T 01871
890266, W barraholidays.co.uk. The old schoolhouse in
Northbay, originally built in 1888, is now a B&B run by a
genuinely friendly couple - breakf ast m enu includes local
smoked haddock and poached egg. £76
Scurrival campsite 3 Eoligarry (Eòlaigearraidh)
T 01871 890292 . Very convenient for the Eriskay ferry,
this is a lovely, simple site with showers and toilet
facilities, overlooking the sea and close to the wide sandy
be ach of Scurrival (Tràigh Sgurabhal). Closed Nov-March.
£5 /person
Tigh-na-Mara Castlebay T 01871 810304,
W tighnamara-barra.co.uk. For value and location - just
a few mins from the pier in Castlebay - you can't beat this
simple Victorian guestho use overlooking the sea. Free
wi-fi. Closed Nov-March. £60
EATING AND DRINKING
Ì Café Kisimul Main St T 01871 810645,
W cafekisimul.co.uk. As well as offering Italian comfort
food and great music, the Kisimul also cooks up the best curry
in northwest Scotland (mains £12-15) - try the unique
scallop pakora and book ahead. Daily morning until late.
Castlebay Hotel Castlebay T 01871 810223,
W castlebay-hotel.co.uk. The Castlebay has a cosy bar,
which regularly has cockles, crabs and scallops on its menu
(mains £12-16), and good views out over the bay. Daily
noon-2pm & 6-9pm.
ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORT
Films are occasionally shown on Saturday evenings at the
local school - look out for the posters - where there is
also a swimming pool (Tues-Sun), library and sports
centre , all of which are open to the general public.
 
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