| |
| |
Ruins
Of Abandoned Settlement (c/o Ann Bowker) |
Barra
Head Lighthouse (c/o Ann Bowker)
|
| 
Mingulay
Viewed From Berneray (c/o Ann Bowker)
|
|
-- Where is it ? --
Often
referred to as "Barra Head", Berneray is the most
southerly of the group of islands known as the Bishops Isles
which are to be found at the Southern tip of the Outer Hebridies.
Mingulay it's nearest neighbour is less than half a mile to
the north as the above picture clearly shows. At
only 1.75 miles long and 0.75 miles wide Berneray is the smallest
of the Bishops Isles.
|
-- History --
Inhabited since the Iron and Bronze ages Berneray was studied
as part of survey in 1992 by archaelogists from Sheffield University.
A large number of sites were discovered including burial monuments,
neolithic chambered tombs and Bronze age cairns. The Iron age
is represented by the most prominent ancient site, Dun Sron an
Duin, located on the cliff bound promontory near the spectaculary
positioned Barra Head lighthouse.
|
Barra
Head Lighthouse (c/o Bob Jones - www.geograph.org.uk)
|
In
more recent times Berneray had a population of around 20 in 1764
and 30 years later the community consisted of three families. These
figures remained fairly constant until the Island was finally abandoned
by the last of it's community in around 1910. Likes it near neighbour
Mingulay, the people of Berneray lived by crofting, fishing and
fowling. There were four crofts in 1840 and these remained until
the end. For several years after 1910 the island remained populated
by the lighthouse keepers who maintained the light at Barra Head.
The light was fully automated in 1980 and since then the only regular
visitors to the island are the lighthouse maintenace crews who now
stay in purpose built accomodation units rather than the old cottages.
|
Walled
Burial Ground On Berneray (c/o Bob Jones - www.geograph.org.uk)
|
| One
of Bernerays most famous sons was known as Padraig Mor or "Big
Peter". He was also known as the Barra Giant and on a visit
by T S Muir in 1866 was measured to be 6' 8" when only 17 years
of age. Peter Sinclair, to give him his full name, joined a travelling
show for a while but disliked the publicity and returned home to
Berneray. Peter used to bring his cattle to Castlebay in the summer
months and run a dairy, returning to his home island in the winter. |
-- Books --
Most
books listed will be available from any on-line book seller such
as Amazon.
For books specifically on the Western Isles there is a bookshop
in Stornoway called Baltic
Bookshop which stocks most of the titles listed here.
 |
Mingulay
- Ben Buxton
Ben Buxton documents the story of a people and of an island.
In the last century, Mingulay was home to up to 160 people
who lived by crofting, fishing and by catching seabirds
on cliffs which are amongst the highest in Scotland. Looking
back through the annals of history the author uncovers the
traditions of a hospitable, close community which thrived
under clan rule. But set in a stormy Atlantic ocean and
with no proper landing place, isolation, absentee landlords
and insufficient fertile land eventually led to the disintegration
of the Mingulay culture. By 1912 the 'voluntary' evacuation
of the island was complete.
Lonely
Isles Rating 8/10
- Mingulay was of course the nearest island to Berneray
and as such there are lots of references to it in this book.
In fact there is a chapter dedicated entirely to Berneray,
it's people and it's history.
|
 |
Barra
And The Bishops Isles - Keith Branigan & Patrick Foster
First
published in 2002, and gives an up-to-date look into the
history of Barra and its adjacent islands (the southernmost
Outer Hebrides). It begins with a look at the geology and
ecology of the islands, and then moves into their history,
going from the end of the last ice age 10,000 years ago
to the enforced emigrations of the mid-nineteenth century.
Along the way, the reader is treated to many pictures (most
black-and-white, but some color), and a good deal of in-depth
analysis. |
|
-- DVD's & Videos --
None
available to my knowledge....please contact lonely-isles
if you know of any and we'll add them to the site !!
|
--
Links --
Isle
Of Barra - If visiting Berneray there is a good chance you
will also be spending time in Barra which is the nearest habited
island. This site will give you all the local information you
could want.
NorthernLight
Charters - Superb website which contains many excellent images
of the Scottish Isles...including Mingulay and Berneray. If you
fancy the idea of visiting the Bishops Isles then this is the
site to check out. Runs regular charters throughout the summer
months so weather permitting you could be on your way to Mingulay
!!
Barra
Fishing Charters - Barra Fishing Charters caters for sea anglers
wishing to experience the rich fishing waters of the Minch, family
trips experiencing the porpoise, seals, otters and numerous seabirds
round Barra’s coast, and groups wishing to visit some of
the uninhabited islands off Barra which of course include Berneray.
5
Islands South Of Barra - The best selection of Berneray pictures
that we have found on the web. The three superb pictures above
come from this collection of images taken by Ann Bowker on a trip
round the Bishops Isles.
Sadly
Berneray is not an island which features greatly on the web. There
are lot's of sites with passing references and even the odd photograph
but in general the information out there is not great. The best
source of reference on Berneray is without doubt Ben Buxtons book.
Lonely
Isles will continue to attempt to find as much information as
possible on all of the islands featured on our site. Please continue
to return to this page with the assurance that if any worthwhile
links do appear for Berneray then they will be added to the page.
Please
email Lonely Isles
if you know of any suitable links. |
| |
