Castlebay
Castlebay (Bagh a’ Chaisteil) is the main settlement on the island and the port for the Cal Mac ferry between Lochboisdale and Oban. The Heritage Centre in the village is operated by the local historical society Comunn Eachdraidh Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh. Complete a visit to the local history displays and exhibition with a coffee and home baking from the cafe.
Kisimul Castle in Barra is the ancient seat of the Macneils and is leased to Historic Scotland until 3000. The sturdy pentagonal shaped structure sits on a reef in the centre of the Castle bay surrounded by water. Still visible is a tidal fish trap constructed out of rocks. It is near the landing slope where the chief’s birlinn or Hebridean longship (adapted from the Viking galley) would be beached ready to be launch on wooden rollers. Muskets from the Battle of Culloden are displayed in the Great Hall. Boat trips to the castle leave from the harbour until the end of September. A clan gathering of the Macneils takes place on Barra in the summer.
The church of Our Lady Star of the Sea watches over the seaward approaches to Castlebay. Opened in late 1886 the sanctuary has a coloured stained glass window showing the Crucifixion. In the early 1950s the stained glass of Our Lady Star of the Sea was installed in the opposite south gable end. The clock in the front tower chimes on the hour.