The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2021 - Issue 29

Samantha Morgan enjoys the relaxed atmosphere of Barra Island in Scotland with its beautiful beaches, rocky hills, sea creatures and birds. bitetravel Holidaying in the UK S upposedly named after Saint Finbarr of Cork, Barra is an island in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland and the second southernmost inhabited island after the adja- cent island of Vatersay, connected by a short causeway. Here you will find gorgeous white sand beaches with crystal clear waters, rugged hills, rocky coves and beautiful scenery, as well as a rich history and a strong sense of community. It’s the perfect place to walk, explore deserted beaches, or ven- ture across the mountains with booming views. Surfers and windsurfers can make use of the islands to craft their adventurous pastime among the waves. The best surf beach is Traigh Eais, over a mile long and bordered on the east side by an extensive dune area and for windsurfers, Traigh Mhòr, the mile-long sheltered airport beach at North Tolsta in the unspoilt north-east part of the Isle of Lewis. In July each year, a week of sailing and windsurfing classes is held, starting from beginners to advanced. Whilst in Barra, you may spot several seals basking on the rocks or glimpse otters hunting amongst the rocks and kelp. Various birdlife is present here, including golden eagles soaring over the wild, windswept hillsides. Puffins, guil- lemots and kittiwakes nestled on the high sheer cliffs, and oystercatcher and plovers, picking amongst the mussels and limpets on the seashore. These sights would be a haven for enthusiast bird watchers. Archaeological and historical sites on the islands include neolithic standing stones and heritage sites such as Kisimul Castle or Allt Chrysal. Once the seat of the Clan MacNeil chief, Kisimul Castle is the only significant medieval castle to survive in all of the Western Isles. Visitors can take in Ki- simul’s spectacular site on the 'rock in the bay’ to see how it got its nickname, follow in the wake of the clan chiefs as you make the short boat trip to the island and climb up the tower house battlements for panoramic views of Castlebay. The castle built in the 1400s was originally a three-sto- rey tower house where the clan chief lived. A curtain wall fringed the small rock on which Kisimul stood and enclosed the small courtyard with ancillary buildings such as the BARRA ISLAND, SCOTLAND Photographer : Ian Gillett