Stunning Scots island with gorgeous ‘Caribbean' beaches and crystal-clear blue waters and it's only an hour from Glasgow

Scottish Sun

2 days ago

Paradise is much closer than you think - you can get there is just over an hour from Glasgow
ISLE BE THERE Stunning Scots island with gorgeous 'Caribbean' beaches and crystal-clear blue waters and it's only an hour from Glasgow
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THERE'S no arguing about just how stunning Scotland is - especially when the sun is shining.
The mainland's many beaches will be a great pull as the current heatwave is predicted to remain with us throughout the weekend and into next week.
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Barra has more than its fair share of glorious beaches including Eoligarry
Credit: Hope Blamire
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Gorgeous sunset on Barra
Credit: Hope Blamire
But if you are looking for something a bit further afield, then head to the Isle of Barra and it's Caribbean-like beaches.
Looking at these pictures from artist Hope Blamire, it's no wonder the place is often dubbed Barradise.
Hope, from Bath, is a constant visitor to Scotland and her islands and takes inspiration from the incredible scenery and views, including those in Barra in the Outer Hebrides and its tiny sister isle of Vatersay.
Barra, just 11 miles long and six wide, is home to just over 1,200 people meaning there's lots of room to find your own little slice of paradise there.
If you fly in you are in for even more of a thrill - as the airport runway is actually Traigh Mhor beach - yes you land right on the sand!
It's been voted the world's most scenic landing and is the only airport in the world to have regular scheduled flights landing on a beach.
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Barra is the only place in th world where planes land on and take off from the beach
Credit: Hope Blamire
Planes can land and take off only at low tide, so the timetable varies.
Tripadvisor reviewer Chris BB said: 'Our trip to the Outer Hebrides started with a flight from Glasgow to Barra, landing on the famous Cockleshell beach. this was a bucket list trip for us and many others too I expect…..an unforgettable experience.'
Another visitor added: 'Wow what a place stunning white sand blue/green sea amazing wildlife peaceful friendly people it's one of the most Beautiful places I've ever been too.
'Very quiet but nice seeing a plane land on the beach is a must and pop into the distillery opposite the Co-op in Castlebay for amazing Gin and nice service.'
The UK beach that has been compared to the Maldives - with sandy beaches and crystal clear waters
The west and north coasts of the island are blessed with blindingly white sand beaches, often likened to exotic islands in the Caribbean of Indonesia, created from marine shells crushed and pulverised over the centuries.
The island is formed of some of the oldest rocks in Britain and, despite its remoteness, has been occupied since Neolithic times.
Head to Castlebay for the best places to stay and eat while you admire the beautiful little town and catch sight of Kisimul castle in the sheltered bay.
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The beaches on the west and north are the most beautiful
Credit: hope Blamire
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Y0u might even find you get a whole beach to yourself
Credit: hope Blamire
You can even get a free boat trip around Kisimul thanks to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The trips leave from Castlebay Marina.
Tangasdale Beach is the closest to Castlebay and it's stunning with the shore often pounded by Atlantic waves.
Then hike up to Heaval, the highest point on the island, and see the white marble statue of the Madonna and Child, called 'Our Lady of the Sea', and spot the Barra seals at Seal Bay.
One of the most beautiful beaches has to be Eoligarry with it's breath-taking views over to Eriskay, South Uist and Fuidday.
And here's a fun fact - you can spot the skeletons of old cars here low tides, as they were buried in the beach to tackle erosion of the sand dunes.
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Traigh Eais, on North West Coast of Isle of Barra
Credit: Getty
Traigh Eais on the north west coast has a lovely stretch of flat powder white sands.
Traigh Sgurabhal, also in the north of the island, has white sand and beautiful turquoise water. Get out on the sea on a kayak and paddle board available from Croft no.2 campsite.
Tripadvisor reviewer Annie L said: 'Barra is the most wonderful place in the world. I almost don't want to say too much in case it gets over run with visitors.'
Cleat beach has huge expanses of white sands and at low tide you can walk over to the caves of Cleat - reputedly where the whisky from SS Politician was hidden.
The hit Ealing movie Whisky Galore!, which tells the story of the SS Politician, which ran aground with a cargo of some 50,000 cases of whisky on board in 1941 was filmed here and the book's author Compton Mackenzie, is buried at Cille Bharra cemetery, overlooking Eoligarry jetty.
Being such a small island it's perfect for walkers and hikers, but you can also cycle with bike hire available and you can hire a car if you come by plane or take the public bus which travels the island three times a day.
Golfers head here to play at Barra Golf Club, the most westerly golf course in the UK.
And boat trips to the neighbouring island of Mingulay are available during the summer season, and island-hopping plane trips are also available.
You can also get there without flying, if you get the regular ferry from Oban (90 miles away) and there are numerous campsites on the island for camping and campervans and motorhomes.
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Vatersay beach gate at Traigh a Bhaigh
Credit: Hope Blamire
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Traigh a Bhaigh beach on Vatersay
Credit: Hope Blamire
Neighbouring Vatersay, connected to Barra by a causeway, is one of the most scenic and beautiful in the Hebrides.
It also has stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, which like some of Barra's, are often compared to those found in the Caribbean.
Choose from Bagh Bhatasaigh (Vatersay Bay), Traigh Siar (The West Bay), Traigh Varlish, Caragraich and Bagh a Deas (South Bay).
All offer wonderful windswept sands bordered by machair grasses.