Tucked away at the bottom of the Western Isles, Barra and Vatersay are home to an unbelievable array of landscapes and wildlife, and there are plenty of activities to keep you busy while visiting- if you know where to look! When we first arrived on the Outer Hebrides during the glorious weather of May 2022, we were stunned by the white sand and clear waters of the beaches around the islands. It was only when we had been on Barra for a few weeks, though, that we realised just how many businesses and individuals work hard to provide adventures, meals, and experiences for holiday makers passing through the Hebrides.

We have compiled this list from our own favourite bits, as well as recommendations from locals and other seasonal workers. This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do on the Barra Isles- we have been here for four months and are still finding new places and activities!

The beaches

This is the most obvious attraction for visitors to Barra and Vatersay. When the sun is shining, the seas around the Outer Hebrides could be mistaken for the Caribbean. From the picture-postcard Traigh a Bhaigh on Vatersay (where you can photograph the famous gate) to the dramatic beaches at Allasdale and Craigston, which give stunning views out to the Atlantic, there is a beach for everyone here.

Barra is also home to Barra Airport, which is the only airport in the world with scheduled landings on a beach (this is on many people’s bucket list before they arrive on Barra).

Climbing the Heaval

Towering over Castlebay, the Heaval is the highest hill on Barra and Vatersay (383 meters above sea level). While the ascent is very steep, the view from the top is magnificent. On a clear day, you can see south to Mingulay, north to Lewis and Harris, and sometimes you can even see as far as Skye from the summit.

A statue of Madonna Stella Maris is situated on the hillside between the road and the summit, and makes for a brilliant photo with Castlebay and the southernmost islands of the Outer Hebrides as a backdrop.

Trips to Mingulay

For a truly unique and unforgettable Hebridean experience, make sure you book onto a boat tour to Mingulay. This island was deserted in the early twentieth century, but the ruins of houses, field boundaries and other ancient structures still stand testament to the former inhabitants of this isolated outpost. Minglay Boat Trips and Hebridean Sea Tours are two fantastic and experienced operators offering this service.

A 6-hour round trip from Castlebay will give you the opportunity to see the dramatic stacks, arches and cliffs up close from the boat, as well as spend a few hours on the island. There is a plethora of wildlife here including puffins, razorbills, cormorants, dolphins, sea eagles, and much more. You can also hike to the top of Hecla to look north up the chain of the Western Isles. For the more adventurous traveller, boat trips to St Kilda are available from Castlebay.

Walking trails

Away from the beaches, many stunning paths and trails wind their way across the moorland and machair of Barra and Vatersay. There’s the dramatic coastal scenery of the Vatersay trail, the Eagle’s Trail at Craigston which makes its way through purple heather and up the side of the glen, the glorious Eoligarry trail which combines coastline, machair, moorland and hilltops, the Allasdale trail which takes you on lush green grazed land between peaks of grey granite, and many more trails to discover and explore. Of course, the Hebridean Way starts in Vatersay and goes up the full length of Barra to the Ardmhor Ferry Terminal via some of the best beaches and landscapes in the Hebrides.

Kayaking and water sports

The water is crystal clear here on the Outer Hebrides during fine summer weather. You can make the most of this by renting kayaks, canoes, surf boards and more from Clearwater Paddling in Castlebay. The team at Clearwater Paddling are very experienced and friendly, and also offer guided sea kayaking tours and many other packages for adventurous travellers.

Bike hire

Many people come to Barra and Vatersay as foot passengers on the ferry, or fly into the legendary Barra Airport, and so don’t have a car to get about and explore the island. For these people, we would recommend hiring a bike from Barra Bike Hire. While there are taxis and busses operating, there is nothing better than being able to stop and enjoy the many attractions whenever you want while travelling up and down the islands, and feeling the Hebridean wind (and rain) in your hair.

Food and drink

As you might expect from these small islands, Barra and Vatersay have a relatively limited selection of cafes and restaurants, so firstly we would suggest booking meals well in advance to avoid disappointment when all the restaurants are full in the summer months. Secondly, due to the high cost of running a business in such a remote part of the world, be prepared to pay a bit extra for a meal compared to prices on the mainland.

For good pub food and Scottish beer, gin and whiskey, visit the Castlebay Hotel, the Craigard Hotel and the Heathbank Hotel which all have a delicious selection of food and bustling bars. Alternatively, the Cafe Kismul has a fantastic menu of mouth-watering Indian cuisine.

The islands also have a selection of cafes for lunch, cake and coffee, including the Vatersay Community Hall, Greim@Grinn, Garadh a Bagh a Tuath (Northbay Garden Centre), Padula’s Store, and Ardmhor Coffee (at the ferry terminal). For takeaway food, find Mairi’s Chippy or Joan’s Pizza on Facebook. Or to enjoy some local produce at home, why not get some fresh seafood from Barratlantic (near Ardveenish) or some fresh gin from Isle of Barra Distillers in Castlebay.

Culture and history

Kisimul Castle, defiantly jutting out of the sea in Castlebay, sets the tone on Barra and Vatersay of a proud history and a rich and vibrant culture. To learn more about this history, visit the Barra Heritage and Cultural Centre in Castlebay, or nip into the Buth Bharraigh (next to the Castlebay Hotel) where there is a great selection of local books and the staff are happy to answer any questions. To really learn about culture in the Outer Hebrides though, get yourself to one of the pubs on the island and get chatting to the locals.

Camping

Barra is home to a plethora of campsites, many of which are dramatically perched on cliff tops or overlooking stunning beaches. These campsites also have plenty of room for camper vans. Alternatively, it is possible to wild camp on Vatersay, or to park your camper van outside of the community centre, where toilet facilities are available. There is an honesty box on Vatersay for people who stay the night, and the proceeds go towards conserving the sand dunes. Remember if you are wild camping to take your rubbish home with you and leave no trace of your visit so the next people can enjoy the islands as much as you have!

Whether you come on holiday to relax and decompress, to chat to locals and experience culture, or to to have an action-packed adventure, Barra and Vatersay will have something to offer you. In the summer this place could be mistaken for a Caribbean island, and yet the deep rooted Gaelic culture and history of the isles makes this one of the most authentically Scottish locations in Scotland. If you’re just starting (or finishing) the Hebridean Way, or if you’ve got a week to spare and aren’t sure where to go, it is worth setting a bit of time aside to explore Barra and Vatersay.