Island 74 - Berneray, Outer Hebrides

Berneray (Bearnaraigh) has been linked by a causeway to North Uist since 1999.  The island is 3 miles long by 1.5 miles wide. Half of the island is machair (coastal grassland). In 2011 the population was 138.  All the residents live on the south east facing side of the island. Berneray is apparently one of Prince Charles's favourite places.   A Calmac vehicle ferry to Leverburgh on Harris operates from the south end of the island.  The Sound of Harris is extremely shallow in places, so the ferry route is marked by dozens of buoys and at low spring tides the ferry service is suspended for a few hours.  

Angus MacAskill was born on Berneray in 1825.  He grew to a height of 7 feet 9 inches after his family had emigrated to Cape Breton Island in Canada in 1831.  He became known as the Cape Breton or Nova Scotia Giant.   He died in 1863 and is commemorated on Berneray with a monument on the south coast on the site of his birthplace. 

 

Angus MacAskill's Monument

Berneray Hostel

 (owned by the Gatliff Hebridean Trust)

This hostel is basic but its location couldn't be better.  You can sit outside on the bench and watch the ebb and flow of the tide.  I stayed there for a couple of nights in September 2006 and had a great time in the company of some very interesting people.  One couple staying there had loved the island so much on a previous visit, that they named their daughter Berneray.  They had returned with their daughter, by then a teenager, to show her the island after which she was named.

Berneray Youth Hostel

 Causeway to Berneray - no otters spotted by me

Forecasting Stone outside the Lobster Pot Tearoom

 Seals resting on the rocks at Loch a Baigh

There are at least 9 seals in this picture but you have to look hard to see them, as they are very camouflaged.

 Former Thomas Telford Church, now a private residence

Machair and beach at Ruisgarry

 Gatliff Hostel, 2016

 Gatliff Hostel, 2016

Macleod's Gunnery 

This building, which is located behind the Youth Hostel, is the oldest building on the island.  It possibly dates back to the 16th century. The 17th century knight Sir Norman Macleod was born and lived there.  He fought for King Charles II against Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester, in Stornoway and at Loch Garry.

 

Berneray Museum - housed in the old Nurse's Cottage

 

Berneray Harbour

 

Crofters' Memorial at Borve

 Berneray Harbour

Standing Stones at the Harbour  
These are not marked on the Ordnance Survey map, so I presume they are modern. 
There is an ancient 8 foot high standing stone on Beinn a'Chlaidh in the south east of the island.

Harris from the west coast of Berneray

Surely this is a contender for most beautiful beach in the world?

  This beach extends for several miles up the west coast of the island.

 

On the way to the beach

 

Looking south down the west coast

 

Looking north up the west coast