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.

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.

Northern Light 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 at the top of this page 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.
 
Abandoned Western Isles
All content © Paul Clements / Deena C Mobbs unless stated otherwise