South Barra Things to Do

There are public toilets in Castlebay Community Hall, the Calmac Ticket Office and the Co-op during opening hours.

Kisimul Castle

Built in the 1400's Kisimul Castle is the home of the Clan MacNeil and is namesake of Castlebay.

The castle is managed by Historic Environment Scotland and has been since 2000 when the Clan MacNeil signed the contract for the price of £1 and a bottle of whisky per year.

The Castle has been closed since 2020 and is not yet open for visitors.

Updates on the caslte can be found on the HES website here.

Herring Walk

The Herring Walk is a coastal promenade and heritage trail which spans from the ferry across the bay of the village which has stunning views over the bay to the castle, Vatersay and a lovely spot to watch the ferry arriving. The walk has historic interpretations and structures describing the history of the herring industry on Barra.

The bay used to be so busy with herring boats that was possible to walk across the bay, passing boat by boat, without getting wet.

Heaval Image by David C. Weinczok

Heaval is Barra's highest point on the island. Standing 383 metres tall, the walk to the top is steap, however the views are stunning on a clear day. With views down onto Castlebay and the Bishop Isles to the south and Brevig Bay with sights of the Isle of Skye and the Small isles on very clear days.

About three quarters up the hill you can see the white statue of Our Lady Star of the Sea. The statue was put up in 1954 even though it looks much older.

War Memorial Image by David C. Weinczok

Located at the top of the hill in Nask, the war memorial commemorates those who were killed or went missing in World War one and two who were from Barra and Vatersay and was unveiled in 1993.

MacLeod's Tower Image by David C. Weinczok

Sat in the middle of Loch Tangasdale is MacLeods Tower which stands on the site of an Iron Age dun.

Built in 1430 by John the Rough who was the son or Marion of the Heads who was married to Gilleonan MacNeil who was the first Clan Chief.

Originally the structure was three storeys tall, but it is now half the size and only accessible by boat.

Barra Gin Distillery

The Isle of Barra Distillers is the first distillery to open it's doors on the Isle of Barra. Here on the edge of the Atlantic, the sea, the air and the community is where we take our inspiration. A warm Barra welcome awaits as you can see where our island spirits are made, how we produce our award-winning Barra Atlantic Gin. Our Island shop is full of our island spirits, our tonic of choice among other beautiful items all with a connection to Barra. You will be greeted with a warm welcome and of course a sample is always available. We want to share our story with you, we want you to be part of our journey.

Bùth Bharraigh

Bùth Bharraigh is a community retail and visitor hub in the heart of Castlebay, Isle of Barra. We are a social enterprise that helps our community flourish by providing a range of goods and services.

Bùth Bharraigh is a route to market for local suppliers and acts as a point of contact for many people on the island for visitor information.

Open seven days a week, the shop stays open late during the summer months for visitors requiring help when they get off the ferry.

Heritage Centre

Barra's Heritage and Cultural Centre (local name Dualchas) is situated in Castlebay, houses an excellent collection of local photographs and artefacts pertaining to the local history of the Isle of Barra.

During the summer there are temporary exhibitions of local history and art.