The Bishop Isles

Getting out to all these islands is possible and well worth visiting.

Boat tour operators on Barra offer boat trips to various islands which can be booked in advance. Boat tour operators can also offer private charters to these islands.

Clearwater Paddling also offer kayaking tours out to some of the islands as well as sailing trips to St Kilda.

Eorasdail shore with view to Sandray.jpg

Sandray Image by David C. Weinczok

Sitting half a mile south of the Isle of Vatersay, Sandray is an uninhabited island now known for its bird colonies. The last people left the island in 1934, but it never had huge populations, but the local Vatersay crofters still put their sheep out to graze on the island.

The island is accessible by kayak, and Clearwater Paddling offer trips out to the island.

Pabbay

Owned by the National Trust of Scotland, Pabbay is a small island of only 1 square mile. The name of the island comes from the Norse - island of the papey which means island of the monks. the island is home to a Pictish carved stone and signs of an Iron Age settlement.

The population of the island was servely impacted in 1897 when all the able bodied men were killed in a storm while out fishing, so the island was last populated in the early 1900's.

Now the island is home to a variety of sea bird colonies.

Mingulay

Twelve miles south of Barra, Mingulay is accessible by tour operators, where you can see the natural arch, the seal colony and many colonies of various sea birds. Owned by the National Trust of Scotland since 2000, this island has a rich history. The last residents of the island left in 1912 when life became too difficult to live in the harsh environment, however the population peaked in 1881 when 150 lived on the island.

The sea cliffs on the island are the 250 meters tall and are home to many bird species.

Barra Head

Also known as Berneray, this is the most southern of the Bishop Isles.

Designed by Robert Stevenson, the Barra Head Lighthouse has been in operation since 1833, and is still in use today. The island is now uninhabited, with the last lighthouse keeper leaving in 1980 since the lighthouse became automated.

Barra Head has some ancient forts and sites, however the island is better known for its bird population. The smallest colony of gannets in Scotland live on the island.

Trips to the island can be made through sea tour providers on Barra.