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{{otheruses4|the island of '''Barra''' in Scotland|other uses of the same name|Barra (disambiguation)}} {{dablink|This article is about the island of '''Barra''' in Scotland. For other places of the same name, see ].}}
{{Infobox Scottish island | {{Infobox Scottish island |
<!-- |Map=UK Barra.png --> |Map=UK Barra.png
|latitude=56.9833
|longitude=-7.4667
|GridReference=NF687004 |GridReference=NF687004
|celtic name=Eilean Bharraigh
|norse name=Barr-oy
|meaning of name=Barr's island, after St Barr |meaning of name=Barr's island, after St Barr
|area=5,875 ha |area=5,875 ha
Line 10: Line 10:
|highest elevation=Heaval 383&nbsp;m |highest elevation=Heaval 383&nbsp;m
|Population=1,078 |Population=1,078
|population rank=13 |population rank=19
|main settlement=Castlebay |main settlement=Castlebay
|island group=]s and ] |island group=] and ]
|local authority=] |local authority=]
flag
|references=<ref>2001 UK Census per ]</ref><ref>Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.</ref><ref></ref> |references=<ref>2001 UK Census per ]</ref><ref>Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.</ref><ref></ref>
}} }}
The Isle of '''Barra''' is a island, and apart from the adjacent island of ] is the southernmost inhabited island of the ] in ]. '''Barra''' or ''Eilean Bharraigh'' (in ]) is a mostly ] and predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay is the southernmost inhabited island of the ] (''Na h-Eileanan Siar'') in ].


==Geography== ==Geography and History==
] ]
At the 2001 census the resident population was 1,078, and mostly ]. The area of Barra is 23 square miles, the main ] being ] . Barra is now linked by a man-made ] to the neighbouring island of ] . At the 2001 census the resident population was 1,078. The area of Barra is 35 square miles, the main ] being ] (''Bàgh a' Chaisteil''). Barra is now linked by a man-made ] to the neighbouring island of ] (''Eilean Bhatarsaigh'').


The west of the island has white sandy ]es backed by shell-sand ] and the east has numerous rocky inlets. Barra is abundant with stunning scenery, rare flowers and wildlife, which can be appreciated by coastal or hill walks, drives or cycle rides along the various small roads. Car and bicycle hire are available locally. The west of the island has white sandy ]es backed by shell-sand ] and the east has numerous rocky inlets. Barra is abundant with stunning scenery, rare flowers and wildlife, which can be appreciated by coastal or hill walks, drives or cycle rides along the various small roads. Car and bicycle hire are available locally.


⚫ The ] has strong ties to the Isle of Barra and can trace its lineage back to the ]s of Ulster who came to Barra from Ireland around the year 1000. ] at Castlebay is the hereditary seat of the MacNeils. It is located on an island in the bay, so giving the village its name. Other places of interest on the island include a ] Museum, a ruined church and museum at ], a number of ] ]s such as those at Dùn Chuidhir and An Dùn Bàn and a whole range of other Iron Age and later structures which have recently been excavated and recorded.
] at Castlebay is located on an island in the bay, so giving the village its name.

⚫ Places of interest on the island include a ruined church and museum at ], a number of ] ]s such as those at Dùn Chuidhir and An Dùn Bàn and a whole range of other Iron Age and later structures which have recently been excavated and recorded.

==Flag==


==History==
The Clan MacLeod has strong ties to the Isle of Barra and claims descent from the Vikings.<ref>

] granted the island to the MacNeill clan in 1427. The clan held the island until 1838, when Roderick MacNeil, the 40th Chief of the Clan, sold the island to Colonel Gordon of Cluny. Gordon expelled most of the inhabitants to the ] in order to make way for sheep. Barra was restored to MacNeill ownership in 1937 when the Barra estate, which encompassed most of the island, was bought by Robert MacNeil, an American architect, and 45th chief of the clan.<ref name=undiscovered-barra>{{cite web|url=http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/barra/barra/index.html|title=Barra Feature Page|Publisher=Undiscovered Scotland|accessdate=2007-11-04}}</ref>

In 2003, the ownership of the Barra Estate was passed by the owner, Ian MacNeil, to the ]. The estate will be transferred to the inhabitants in the future if they request it. MacNeil, the 46th chief of the clan had previously transferred Kismuil Castle to ] in 2000.<ref>{{cite news|title=A gift to Scotland - the isle of Barra|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=980092003|first=John|last=Ross|date=]|accessdate=2007-11-04|work=]}}</ref>

In ] ] ]'s ] came to the hamlet of ] to investigate the exposed remains of ] burials and ] roundhouses in sand dunes that had been previously uncovered by storms. The programme was broadcast on ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/2008/barra/index.html|title=Barra, Western Isles|work=Time Team Website|accessdate=2008-01-21}}</ref>


==Media and the Arts== ==Media and the Arts==
Every summer, ] brings the whole island together in a cultural festival. The Barra Fest will be held on the 27th and 28th July 2007. Every summer, Fèis Bharraigh brings the whole island together in a cultural festival.


The Dualchas Heritage and Cultural Centre is located in Castlebay. The Dualchas Heritage and Cultural Centre is located in Castlebay.


The 1949 ] comedy '']'' was filmed on Barra. The film is based on the novel '']'' by Sir ], who lived near the airport and is buried at Cille Bharra . The 1949 ] comedy ] was filmed on Barra. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Sir ], who lived near the airport.

The Channel 5 program ''Extraordinary People: The Boy Who Lived Before'', featured a young boy named Cameron, who lived in Glasgow and claims to have memories of a past life on the island.<ref></ref>


==Transport Links== ==Transport Links==
], near ], is unique in that the runway is a beach, An Tràigh Mhòr (English: ''The Big Beach''). Planes can only land and take off at low tide meaning that the timetable varies. Barra's airport is the only airport in the world to have scheduled flights landing on a beach.<ref name = "http://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport.html"></ref> The aircraft currently in operation on Barra is the ]. The beach is also a source of ]s. ], near ], is unique in Britain in that the runway is a beach, Cockle Strand (''An Tràigh Mhòr''). Planes can only land and take off at low tide meaning that the timetable varies. As the name implies, the beach is also a source of ]s.


] is the main ferry port from which ] sail to ] on the Scottish mainland and ] in ] . A vehicular ferry also travels between Ceann a' Gharaidh in ] and ] in Barra. The crossing takes around 40 minutes. ] is the main ferry port from which ] sail to ] on the Scottish mainland and ] (''Loch Baghasdail'') in ] (''Uibhist a Deas''). A vehicular ferry also travels between Ceann a' Gharaidh in ] (''Èirisgeigh'') and ] (''An Àird Mhòr'') in Barra. The crossing takes around 40 minutes.


Apart from the ferries, boat trips to ] are also available during the Summer season, and a small boat can take visitors to Kisimul Castle. Apart from the ferries, boat trips to ] and ] are also available during the season, and a small boat can take visitors to Kisimul Castle.


==Gallery== ==Gallery==
<gallery> <gallery>
Image:Isle of barra-castlebay.jpg|Castlebay, Barra Image:Isle of barra-castlebay.jpg|Castlebay, Barra
Image:2004 0806hebridies0048.JPG|Traigh Eais Image:2004 0806hebridies0048.JPG|Traigh Eaig
Image:Traigh Sunset.jpg|Sunset From Traigh Eais Image:Traigh Sunset.jpg|Sunset From Traigh Eaig
Image:Barra Airport Sands.JPG|Airport Sands Image:Barra Airport Sands.JPG|Airport Sands
Image:bruernish201.jpg|Bruernish Image:bruernish201.jpg|Bruernish
Image:Barra-Airport-Canthusus.JPG|Barra Airport Image:Barra-Airport-Canthusus.JPG|Barra Airport
Image:2004 0806hebridies0040.JPG|Twin Otter Taking off From Barra Airport Image:2004 0806hebridies0040.JPG|dH Twin Otter Taking off From Barra Airport
Image:Flag of Barra.svg|Flag of Barra (Unofficial)
</gallery> </gallery>


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==External links== ==External links==
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{{hebrides}} {{hebrides}}
{{coor title dm|56|59|N|7|28|W|type:isle}} {{coor title dm|56|59|N|7|28|W|type:isle}}

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Revision as of 18:35, 4 February 2008

This article is about the island of Barra in Scotland. For other places of the same name, see Barra (disambiguation).
Barra
Scottish Gaelic nameEilean Bharraigh
Old Norse nameBarr-oy
Meaning of nameBarr's island, after St Barr
Location
OS grid referenceNF687004
Physical geography
Island groupUists and Barra
Area5,875 ha
Area rank20 
Highest elevationHeaval 383 m
Administration
Council areaNa h-Eileanan Siar
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Demographics
Population1,078
Population rank19 
Largest settlementCastlebay
Lymphad
References

Barra or Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a mostly Roman Catholic and predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar) in Scotland.

Geography and History

Satellite photo of Barra, Vatersay and surrounding islands

At the 2001 census the resident population was 1,078. The area of Barra is 35 square miles, the main village being Castlebay (Bàgh a' Chaisteil). Barra is now linked by a man-made causeway to the neighbouring island of Vatersay (Eilean Bhatarsaigh).

The west of the island has white sandy beaches backed by shell-sand machair and the east has numerous rocky inlets. Barra is abundant with stunning scenery, rare flowers and wildlife, which can be appreciated by coastal or hill walks, drives or cycle rides along the various small roads. Car and bicycle hire are available locally.

The Clan MacNeil has strong ties to the Isle of Barra and can trace its lineage back to the O'Neills of Ulster who came to Barra from Ireland around the year 1000. Kisimul Castle at Castlebay is the hereditary seat of the MacNeils. It is located on an island in the bay, so giving the village its name. Other places of interest on the island include a Black house Museum, a ruined church and museum at Cille Bharra, a number of Iron Age brochs such as those at Dùn Chuidhir and An Dùn Bàn and a whole range of other Iron Age and later structures which have recently been excavated and recorded.

Media and the Arts

Every summer, Fèis Bharraigh brings the whole island together in a cultural festival.

The Dualchas Heritage and Cultural Centre is located in Castlebay.

The 1949 Ealing Studios comedy Whisky Galore! was filmed on Barra. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Sir Compton Mackenzie, who lived near the airport.

The Channel 5 program Extraordinary People: The Boy Who Lived Before, featured a young boy named Cameron, who lived in Glasgow and claims to have memories of a past life on the island.

Transport Links

Barra's tiny airport, near Northbay, is unique in Britain in that the runway is a beach, Cockle Strand (An Tràigh Mhòr). Planes can only land and take off at low tide meaning that the timetable varies. As the name implies, the beach is also a source of cockles.

Castlebay is the main ferry port from which ferries sail to Oban on the Scottish mainland and Lochboisdale (Loch Baghasdail) in South Uist (Uibhist a Deas). A vehicular ferry also travels between Ceann a' Gharaidh in Eriskay (Èirisgeigh) and Ardmore (An Àird Mhòr) in Barra. The crossing takes around 40 minutes.

Apart from the ferries, boat trips to Mingulay and Eriskay are also available during the season, and a small boat can take visitors to Kisimul Castle.

Gallery

  • Castlebay, Barra Castlebay, Barra
  • Traigh Eaig Traigh Eaig
  • Sunset From Traigh Eaig Sunset From Traigh Eaig
  • Airport Sands Airport Sands
  • Bruernish Bruernish
  • Barra Airport Barra Airport
  • dH Twin Otter Taking off From Barra Airport dH Twin Otter Taking off From Barra Airport
  • Flag of Barra (Unofficial) Flag of Barra (Unofficial)

References

  1. ^ Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
  2. 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
  3. Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate.
  4. Ordnance Survey
  5. Extraordinary People

External links

Inhabited islands of the Hebrides
Inner Hebrides
Outer Hebrides

56°59′N 7°28′W / 56.983°N 7.467°W / 56.983; -7.467

Category: