Photos and the City

Category: Travel

Arriving in Eriskay

It was time to say goodbye to Barra and continue my journey to Eriskay and then South Uist. It was a pretty stormy day and there was an orange warning for the ferry. So everyone in the little cafe at the ferry terminal was quite excited when we saw the ferry coming, a bit late but she was coming and took us over to Eriskay. It was a bit of a wild ride, the waves were crashing over the ferry so all of the cars (and foot passengers) got a good wash.

But we arrived safe and sound (and a bit wet) in Eriskay!

I stopped right away at this beach next to the harbour, Prince´s Charlies Bay. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed here in Eriskay on 23rd July 1745.

Accompanied by only seven supporters the Prince landed off the French frigate Du Teillay at Coilleag a Phrionnsa. Ranald MacDonald, the Captain or chief of the MacDonalds of Clanranald was absent at the time so the Prince summoned his half-brother, Alasdair MacDonald of Boisdale to meet him on Eriskay. (Visit Outer Hebrides)

But he got told that the local clans, the MacDonalds of Clanranald, the MacDonalds of Sleat in Skye and the MacLeods of Skye would not support him and he should get back home. The Prince then sailed to the mainland and raised an army there.

The ferry going back to Barra.

Polochar standing stone

I crossed the causeway going to South Uist and made another stop at the Polochar Inn and the Polochar Standing Stone.

The stone probably dates from 2000BC – the views around here are amazing.

I continued my way towards my accommodation in South Uist but had to take a picture of this imposing church along the road.

13/07/2023
Barra from my doorstep

While I stayed on the Isle of Barra, the “Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival” started – there were talks, walks, and other exciting things happening all over the Outer Hebrides. I choose a “Dolphin & Whale Spotting Walk” for Barra along the East Beach.

So early morning I made my way to the airport.

There aren´t any more images from that day, as soon as I met the ranger (she came over from the Isle of Mull) at the parking spot, it started to rain with full force. We took some shelter behind the van of the ranger from Barra while talking about dolphins and whales and how to spot them. I also learned about the “Barra Boys”, a school of dolphins often seen in Barra

Afterwards, the three of us walked along the beach and got a bit more wet. We didn´t see any wildlife except a few birds, but I heard a lot about life on the islands, which was as interesting.

The big story of the day: a dead hedgehog was found! Both rangers were very excited about that and speculated if it had been a blind passenger of a van if he died on the islands and more. I must have looked very confused, so they told me that hedgehogs don´t live in Barra (and the rest of the Outer Hebrides) and also might disturb the local wildlife if imported from the mainland. A few days later I went on a different hike in Eriskay, the next island of the Outer Hebrides and even there they talked about THAT hedgehog found in Barra.

For the next few days heavy rain and wind set in, but I tried to use the few drier moments to explore Barra and get some steps in. The Ardmhor ferry, which goes to Eriskay and South Uist.

View from my doorstep

Another view from my doorstep.

I had a visitor.

After lots of rain, there is sometimes a rainbow!

27/06/2023
The airport in Barra

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.

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!

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)

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)

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)

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)

And the plane is off again….

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.

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

Looking back to Barra Airport from the dunes.

12/06/2023