East Barra Things to Do

Heaval is the name of the highest hill on the island. Standing at 383 meters above sea level at its highest point, on clear days there are stunning views across the Bishop Isles to the south and the Small Isles and Skye to the east.

About 3/4 of the way up the hill stands a statue of the Madona and the Child - known locally as Our Lady Star of the Sea which was put there in 1954.

The standing stone in Brevig is the tallest standing stone still erect on the island. There is a second stone which is broken and fallen nearby. Standing at 10 foot tall, the stone is very commanding and has a lovely view over Brevig Bay.

The abandoned village at Bolnabodach can still be seen on the shore of Loch Obe. The village was cleared in 1851 when 450 islanders were sent on The Admiral to north America.

Cencus' show that the population after the clearances which cleared the population, it grew back to over 100, however is 1894 tragedy hit the village again when typhoid hit the village. The houses were boarded up and the village was once again abandoned.

Orosay is the name for a tidal island and there are many Orosay's in Barra alone, never mind the rest of the islands in Scotland.

Loch Na h-Ob is a SSSI, which means it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest as its waters are brakish. That means that the water is a mix of both salt water and fresh water which creates a unique environment for aqua life.