Algemene informatie

Castlebay
The main settlement is Castlebay, on the southern side of the island, situated in a wide sheltered bay and overlooked by Sheabhal (383 m), on top of which is a marble statue of the Blessed Virgin and Child. It's a short but steep walk up to the top from the town, and the views are well worth it. The once-thriving herring port is also overlooked by the large Roman Catholic church, Our Lady, Star of the Sea.As the main ferry port, Castlebay provides the full range of services: hotels, B&Bs, shops, a bank (but no ATM) and post office.The tourist information centre is on the main street near the ferry terminal. It has information on local walks and will book accommodation. Info Tel. 810223. Apr to mid-Oct Mon-Sat 0900-1700; also open for the arrival of the evening ferry.

Sights: Castlebay's most notable feature is the impressive 15th-century Kisimul Castle, built on an island in the middle of the harbour. This was the ancient home of the Chief of the MacNeils, one of the oldest Scottish clans, who owned the island from 1427 till 1838. It was then sold to the notorious Colonel Gordon of Cluny, along with neighbouring South Uist and Benbecula, and the poor people of Barra suffered the same cruel fate, 600 of them being shipped to Canada to starve. One hundred years later the castle and much of the island was bought back for the MacNeils by an American architect, Robert Lister MacNeil, who became the 45th Clan Chief and restored the castle to its present state before his death in 1970. His son, the new Clan Chief, uses it as his residence when visiting, though it is now in the care of Historic Scotland.