Tag: travel

  • The airport in Barra

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    An airport that actually uses the beach as a runway? That´s the airport on the Isle of Barra – and there are actually three runways marked in the sand, so the planes can land no matter from which direction the wind comes.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    View over Traigh Mhòr towards the airport buildings. The planes come in from Glasgow twice a day and I definitely wasn´t the only one doing a bit of plane-spotting!

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Barra Airport is one of the world’s most distinctive airports with its globally renowned beach runway. Since the airport was built in 1978, passenger numbers have almost doubled from around 7,500 in the late 70s to about 14,800 pre Covid-19. (Barra Airport)

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Barra Airport is unique, being the only one in the world where scheduled flights use a tidal beach as the runway.  With its schedule governed by the ebb and flow of the tide, Barra is a breath of fresh air compared to other more conventional airports – and its spectacular scenery is second to none. (Barra Airport)

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Barra Airport was constructed in 1936 and was officially opened on August 7th, 1936 providing a gateway for residents of the island of Barra who needed an alternative to marine travel which was at the time the only means of accessing the mainland. (worldatlas.com)

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Logan Air, the Scottish Airline connecting the islands started their flights to Barra in 1974 and now also runs the airport.

    Barra Airport is comprised of three runways (one more than the runways at London’s Heathrow) with wooden poles placed at their ends for marking. The airport has one small terminal. (worldatlas.com)

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    And the plane is off again….

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Traigh Eais

    While most plane-watcher left after the plane took off again, I turned around and walked over the dunes to Traigh Eais on the other side. A stunning beach, that was almost empty and perfect for a long walk.

    Later on, I learned that otters also love that beach, but more during the winter when it is even less busy.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Traigh Eais was also featured in the British movie “Whisky Galore!”, I think most of the movie was shot in Barra, mainly in Castlebay.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    A beach as a runway - the airport of Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Looking back to Barra Airport from the dunes.

     

  • Arriving in Barra

    After spending a night near Oban I was ready for my first ferry ride of that summer – off to Barra I went. It would be the first of many many ferry rides this summer!

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    View towards Oban from the ferry – a view that I got quite used to last summer. Oban is also called the gateway to the Isles, lots of ferry traffic is happening here.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    The ferry ride takes almost 5 hours from Oban to Barra and I enjoyed every minute of it. We went along the coast of Mull for a while before crossing over the sea to the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.
    Oban Castle

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull

    Arriving in Castlebay, Barra

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    Arriving in Castlebay on the Isle of Barra we were greeted by Kisimul Castle. The Castle isn´t open for visiting at the moment, another reason to come back to Barra.

    Barra is often described as a combination of all the other Outer Hebrides Islands – and there is some truth to it. Even though it is a quite small island Barra offers hills, stunning beaches and overall stunning landscape.

    On the ferry from Oban to Barra in the Outer Hebrides.

    View from my cottage.

     

     

  • My Hebridean Summer 2022

    After getting to know Lewis & Harris in 2021 I decided to explore the Hebrides even more. Starting in Glasgow I went to the Outer Hebrides, Barra – Eriskay – South Uist – North Uist – Harris & Lewis and to the Inner Hebrides with a short stop in Argyll & Bute: Mull – Staffa – Tiree – Islay. Unfortunately, I had to cancel my last island Eigg due to the train strikes, but it will work out another time.

    The famous gate at Vatersay beach - Barra, Outer Hebrides in Soctland
    The gate to paradise – Vatersay, Isle of Barra
    Two puffins on Mingulay, Scotland
    Two puffins on Mingulay, Outer Hebrides
    View over some rocks in Tiree, right next to the Tiree Gin distillery.
    Tiree