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This article is about the island of Barra in Scotland. For other uses of the same name, see Barra (disambiguation).
Barra
Location
Barra (Scotland)
Barra
Barra
Barra shown within Scotland.
OS grid reference: NF687004
Names
Gaelic name: Barraigh, Eilean Bharraigh
Norse name: Barr-oy
Meaning of name: Barr's island, after St Barr
Area and Summit
Area: 5,875 ha
Area rank (Scottish islands): 20
Highest elevation: Heaval 383 m
Population
Population (2001): 1,078
Population rank (inhabited Scottish islands): 13 out of 97
Main settlement: Castlebay
Groupings
Island Group: Uists and Barra
Local Authority: Na h-Eileanan Siar
Scotland
References: [1][2][3]

The Isle of Barra or Barraigh/Eilean Bharraigh (in Scottish Gaelic) is a 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. The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Old Norse is the North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age Scotland covers an area of 78782 km² or 30341 mi², giving it a Population density of. Uist (ˈjuːɪst/ /ˈuːɪst or The Uists (Uibhist ˈiviʃtʲ are the central group of islands in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Vatersay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhatarsaigh) is an inhabited Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

Contents

Geography

Satellite photo of Barra, Vatersay and surrounding islands
Satellite photo of Barra, Vatersay and surrounding islands

At the 2001 census the resident population was 1,078, and mostly Roman Catholic. The area of Barra is 23 square miles, the main village being Castlebay (Bàgh a' Chaisteil). A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a Town or City. The village of Castlebay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil) is the main village on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland Barra is now linked by a man-made causeway to the neighbouring island of Vatersay (Eilean Bhatarsaigh). In modern usage a causeway is a road or railway elevated by a bank usually across a broad Body of water or Wetland. Vatersay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhatarsaigh) is an inhabited Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

The west of the island has white sandy beaches backed by shell-sand machair and the east has numerous rocky inlets. This article is about a geographic landform For the TV series see Machair (TV series The Gaelic word machair or machar refers to a fertile 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.

Kisimul Castle at Castlebay is located on an island in the bay, so giving the village its name. Kisimul (also Kiessimul or Chisimul) Castle is a small Medieval Castle located in the centre of Castlebay on Barra

Places of interest on the island include 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. This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. A Broch is an Iron Age Drystone hollow-walled structure of a type found only in Scotland.

History

The Clan MacNeil has strong ties to the Isle of Barra and claims descent from the O'Neills of Ulster. Clan MacNeil, also known in Scotland as Clan Niall, is a highland Scottish clan, particularly associated with the Outer Hebridean [4]

Alexander, Lord of the Isles granted the island to the MacNeill clan in 1427. Alexander of Islay or Alexander MacDonald (died 1449 Alasdair MacDomhnaill or MacDhòmhnaill was a medieval Scottish nobleman who succeeded his father Domhnall of 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 United States of America in order to make way for sheep. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the 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. [5]

In 2003, the ownership of the Barra Estate was passed by the owner, Ian MacNeil, to the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government (SG ( Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) is the executive arm of the government of Scotland. 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 Historic Scotland in 2000. Historic Scotland is an Executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland. [6]

In May 2007 Channel 4's Time Team came to the hamlet of Allasdale to investigate the exposed remains of Bronze Age burials and Iron Age roundhouses in sand dunes that had been previously uncovered by storms. MAY ( also known as: Mei メイ 메이 is a Korean singer well known in South Korea for singing the song "Miracle" Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Channel 4 is a public-service Television and Radio broadcaster in the United Kingdom centred around a television channel of the same name which began Time Team is a British television series that has aired on Channel 4 since 1994 Allasdale ( Allathasdal in Scottish Gaelic) is a village on Barra in the Western Isles, Scotland. The term Bronze Age refers to a period in human cultural development when the most advanced Metalworking (at least in systematic and widespread use included techniques for This article is about the archaeological period known as the Iron Age for the mythological Iron Age see Ages of Man. The programme was broadcast on 20 January 2008. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [7]

Media and the Arts

Every summer, Fèis Bharraigh[8] brings the whole island together in a cultural festival centred around the learning and performing of traditional music. In 2007, Fèis Bharraigh launched BarraFest - Live @ the Edge, a weekend festival of traditional and modern Scottish music held on the Tangasdale machair. This article is about a geographic landform For the TV series see Machair (TV series The Gaelic word machair or machar refers to a fertile BarraFest 2008 will be held on the 25th and 26th of July. [8]

The Dualchas Heritage and Cultural Centre is located in Castlebay. [9]

The 1949 Ealing Studios comedy Whisky Galore! was filmed on Barra. For the film see Ealing Comedy (film. For the film comedies see Ealing Comedies. Whisky Galore! (released in the US as Tight Little Island) was a 1949 Ealing comedy film based on the novel of The film is based on the novel Whisky Galore by Sir Compton Mackenzie, who lived near the airport and is buried at Cille Bharra. Whisky Galore is a Novel written by Compton Mackenzie (1947 and was subsequently adapted for the cinema under the title Whisky Galore! Sir Edward Montague Compton Mackenzie ( January 17, 1883, West Hartlepool, England – November 30, 1972 in Edinburgh [10][2]

In the sitcom Dad's Army, Private Frazer claims to be from the Isle of Barra. Dad’s Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard in the Second World War. Private James Frazer is a fictional Home Guard platoon member and undertaker portrayed by John Laurie on the BBC television Sitcom Frazer renowned for his "We're doomed!" catchphrase, says his most famous story was when "a submarine was sunk in Castlebay, and seven brave men were trapped in. The water, got higher, and higher, until it got to their necks. And then. . . . . . terrible way ot die!" Much to the disgust of his fellow platoon. Apart from that story, Frazer speaks highly of the "lonely island. "

Sports

Barra host an annual half-marathon called the Barrathon,[11] this year on the 28th June 2008, is part of the Western Isles Half Marathon series. This is accompanied by a shorter fun-run for families. A number of fund-raising events are held around this, including a ceilidh at the Talla Bhatarsaigh. A céilidh ( (in modern usage is a traditional Gaelic social Dance originating in Ireland and Scotland, but now common throughout the Vatersay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bhatarsaigh) is an inhabited Island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

The Barra community holds an annual games on the island. Highland games are events held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture and heritage especially This year The Barra Games[8] will be held on the 20 July 2008. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

The island golf club, Comunn Goilf Bharraidh, has a 9-hole golf course that is claimed to be the furthest west in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located However, this title may in fact be held by one of the courses near Enniskillen in Northern Ireland. Enniskillen ( is the county town (and largest town in County Fermanagh and the west of Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of

Tourists can also go sea kayaking[12] or power kiting[13], and ample opportunities are available for keen anglers. A Sea kayak or touring kayak is a Kayak developed for the sport of paddling on open waters of lakes bays and the ocean A power kite or traction kite is a large kite designed to provide significant pull to the user

Transport Links

Uniquely in Europe, Barra's tiny airport, near Northbay, uses the beach called An Tràigh Mhòr (English: The Big Beach) as a runway. Barra Airport (also known as Barra Eoligarry Airport) is a STOLport situated in the wide shallow bay of Traigh Mhòr at the north tip of the island of Northbay ( Bàgh-a-Tuath) is chief amongst a collection of Townships which make up the northernmost part of Barra in the Outer Hebrides off 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. [14] The aircraft currently in operation on Barra is the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout 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). The village of Castlebay ( Scottish Gaelic: Bàgh a' Chaisteil) is the main village on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Oban ( An t-Òban in Scottish Gaelic meaning The Little Bay) is a Resort Town within the Argyll and Bute council area Lochboisdale ( Scottish Gaelic: Loch Baghasdail) is the main population centre on the island of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland South Uist ( Scottish Gaelic: Uibhist a Deas) is an Island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. A vehicular ferry also travels between Ceann a' Gharaidh in Eriskay (Èirisgeigh) and Ardmore (An Àird Mhòr) in Barra. Eriskay ( Scottish Gaelic: Eirisgeidh, from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle" is an island of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland Ardmore ( Scottish Gaelic: Aird Mhòr) is a small village in the north east of the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland The crossing takes around 40 minutes. All the afore mentioned ferries are run by Caledonian MacBrayne. Caledonian MacBrayne (usually shortened to Cal Mac; Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn in Scottish Gaelic) is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries

Apart from the ferries, boat trips to Mingulay are also available during the Summer season, and a small boat can take visitors to Kisimul Castle. Mingulay ( Scottish Gaelic: Miughalaigh, mjuəlˠ̪aj is the second largest of the Bishop's Isles in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland

Distillery

There is currently planning under way to build a distillery on the west side of the island. [15] The distillery, producing around 25,000 litres per annum, will be the smallest in Scotland and the only one in the Outer Hebrides and therefore the most westerly. The Outer Hebrides, ( officially known for local government purposes by the Gaelic name Na h-Eileanan Siar) comprise an island [16]

Gallery

Castlebay, Barra

Traigh Eais

Sunset From Traigh Eais

Airport Sands

Bruernish

Barra Airport

Twin Otter Taking off From Barra Airport

References

  1. ^ General Register Office for Scotland (28 Nov 2003) "Occasional Paper No 10: Statistics for Inhabited Islands" Retrieved 9 July 2007. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
  2. ^ a b Haswell-Smith, Hamish. (2004) The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh. Canongate. Pages 218-222.
  3. ^ Ordnance Survey
  4. ^ MacNeill of Barra History. ScotClans. Retrieved on 2007-12-18. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the
  5. ^ Barra Feature Page. Retrieved on 2007-11-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani
  6. ^ Ross, John. "A gift to Scotland - the isle of Barra", The Scotsman, 2003-09-06. The Scotsman is a Scottish national Newspaper, published in Edinburgh. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 3114 BC - According to the Proleptic Julian calendar the current era in the Maya Long Count Calendar started Retrieved on 2007-11-04. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani  
  7. ^ Barra, Western Isles. Time Team Website. Retrieved on 2008-01-21. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade.
  8. ^ a b c Barra Accommodation Upcoming Events Retrieved 21 March 2008. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  9. ^ "Dualchas" Comunn Eachdraidh Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh. Retrieved 29 March 2008. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  10. ^ Whisky Galore! screenonline. org. uk. Retrieved 29 March 2008. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  11. ^ "Barrathon" barrathon. org. uk. Retrieved 29 March 2008
  12. ^ Clearwater Paddling Retrieved 29 March 2008. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  13. ^ Barra Power Kiting Retrieved 29 March 2008. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  14. ^ Barra Airport Website
  15. ^ Isle of Barra Distillery uisgebeathananeilean. co. uk. Retrieved 29 March 2008. Events 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
  16. ^ Map of Scotch Whisky Distilleries

External links

Dictionary

barra

-noun

  1. (Geordie) A hand pushed cart of the type commonly used in markets.
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