Top tips for your island adventure​
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Plan in advance.
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Book your accommodation early to avoid disappointment.
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At any time of the year, there can be difficulties getting on and off Barra due to weather or transportation issues. Please bear this in mind when planning your holiday and leave some leeway to cope with unexpected delays.
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Barra and Vatersay may be small islands but there is lots to do - make sure you are here long enough to enjoy all these islands have to offer.
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Don't expect to get a mobile signal everywhere, or depending on your network, at all. Our main provider on Barra and Vatersay is EE.
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Be prepared. Pack clothes and footwear for all weathers.
Getting to the Islands
To get to the Barra, there are two ferry routes, an airport as well as a marina.
Caledonian MacBrayne sails from Oban to Castlebay seven days a week during the summer months from April to October, and five days week over the winter period. This ferry takes around 5 hours to sail across the Minch and arrive in Barra. In the summer there is also a ferry link on a Wednesday which sails to and from Castlebay via Coll and Tiree.
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From the north of Barra at Ardmhor, there is a ferry connection to the Isle of Eriskay. This ferry travels five times a day and takes 40 minutes to cross the Sound of Barra.
The airport is the third entry point of the island and is a truly unique experience. The airport in Eoligarry is the only airport in the world which has scheduled beach landings. With up to three flights a day in the summer, the one hour flight from Glasgow to Barra is the quickest way to visit the island.
Castlebay also has its own Marina where boats can berth when sailing to the Western Isles.
You can find out more information about the Marina from their website.
Oban to Castlebay
Winter Timetable
Summer Timetable
Booking
A four hour and forty-five minute ferry
crossing the Minch
Ardmhor to Eriskay
Winter Timetable
Summer Timetable
Booking
A forty minute crossing over the
Sound of Barra up to five times a day
Flight from Glasgow
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A one hour fifteen minute flight from Glasgow up to three a day.
Moving up the Outer Hebrides
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If you would like information or to find accommodation for the other islands in the Outer Hebrides then visit these sites
For more information on public transport links on the other islands in the Outer Hebrides then click here.​