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Photo of Castlebay, a village in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

© Colin Smith / Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Castlebay

Local highlight
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OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles · data from OpenStreetMap · terrain Mapzen/AWS

Castlebay is Barra’s main village, curved around a bay with Kisimul Castle perched on its own rocky islet just offshore — the old stronghold of Clan MacNeil. The castle is currently closed to visitors while Historic Scotland carries out repairs, but it’s a fine sight from the shore all the same. Barra is reached by CalMac ferry from Oban; the A888 rings the island from here.

More places to visit near Castlebay

Photo of Vatersay, an island in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Vatersay

Island near Castlebay

Causeway island south of Barra with white beaches back to back across a neck of dunes, and the Annie Jane wreck memorial

2.2 km S

Photo of Halaman Bay, a beach near Castlebay, Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Halaman Bay

Beach near Castlebay

Wide surf-washed west-coast Barra beach (Tangasdale) below the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel.

3 km NW

Photo of Vatersay Beach (Traigh a' Bhaigh), a beach in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Vatersay Beach (Traigh a' Bhaigh)

Beach near Vatersay

Curving white-sand bay on Vatersay with views to Heaval and Castlebay.

3.9 km SW

Photo of Vatersay West Beach (Traigh Siar), a beach in Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Vatersay West Beach (Traigh Siar)

Beach near Vatersay

Atlantic-facing white beach back-to-back with Vatersay Bay across a narrow machair neck.

4.2 km SW

Photo of Allasdale Beach, a beach near Castlebay, Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Allasdale Beach

Beach near Castlebay

Sweep of white sand (Traigh Hamara) on Barra's west coast with views to the Atlantic.

5.3 km N

Photo of Seal Bay (Traigh Tuath), a beach near Eoligarry, Na h-Eileanan Siar, the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Highlight

Seal Bay (Traigh Tuath)

Beach near Eoligarry

Rocky-and-sand west Barra bay at Cleat known for basking grey seals.

7.8 km N