Clan MacNeil Net

The Isle of Barra is a small island on the southern end of the Outer Hebrides.  Barra is considered by many to be the most beautiful island in Britain.  In fact some folks even call it "Barradise!"  The island's tranquility, distinct culture and long and fascinating history make a visit to Barra one that you will not soon forget.  If you are looking for gloss and flair, you will not find it here.  What you will find is wildlife and natural beauty in abundance, and a warm welcome from the people who call the beautiful Isle of Barra home.

Barra measures only 8 miles from north to South, and about 6 miles from east to west.  To view more detailed maps of Barra, click on the map image above.  A new browser window will open at Mapqest that will allow you to view maps of the Isle of Barra in great detail.  Interactive mapping is provided by Mapquest. 

The Isle of Barra is the home of the Clan MacNeil. Barra is also where you will find Kisimul Castle, the stronghold of the Clan MacNeil.  Barra can be reached by a five hour journey on a ferry from Oban, or you can fly there.  Planes can only land at low tide however as the airport on Barra uses a cockle strand beach as the runway!

Barra is also home to the most western golf course in the British Isles.  Located in Clete, it is a nine hole course with fenced greens to keep the cattle off.  The Barra course has a "preferred lies" rule that allows you to move your ball one club length from any lie one the course.  It could be that the roaming cattle are the reason for that rule!  The Barra course features some of the most outstanding views of the ocean around the Isle.  Seals can often be seen playing in the surf just offshore.  While the author has never played this course, it comes highly recommended by his brothers and uncle.

Other Barra attractions include hill walking, sea kayaking, one of the last remaining "black houses" in the Hebrides and trout fishing to name but a few.  In fact, in Loch Tangusdale, Barra boasts of what is arguably one of the finest natural wild brown trout waters anywhere in Scotland.  For the keen angler, you might want to try the "Barra Challenge."  This unique challenge involves fishing all of Barra's named lochs in one day (there are seven such) and catching at least one fish from each. 

Some of you may have read the wonderful book Whisky Galore by Compton Mackenzie.  It is set on the fictional isles of Great and Little Todday, and is the story of what happens when a ship full of Scotch runs aground on a very small island during a period of wartime rationing! 

Whisky Galore is actually a fictionalized telling of the story of the S. S. Politician which ran aground near Barra with a cargo of some 50,000 cases of Scotch onboard. 

Mr. Mackenzie died in 1972 and is buried on Barra.  His grave is one of the most visited sites on the island.

If you would like to know more about Barra, including where to stay, how to get there and what else there is to see, then you will find a wealth of information on Barra's own official website.  You should also visit Joanne Mackenzie-Winters' The Internet Guide to Scotland.  You will find lots of great information about Barra on the Barra page!