Barra

Barra (Barraigh) is a remote island, one of the southernmost in the Outer Hebrides, which is currently inhabited by about three thousand people. It is part of the traditional lands of Clan Macneill, who are descended from an Irish tribal king, Niall of the Nine Hostages, and are famed for their naval prowess.

Militarily, Barra is a very important area, as it has some of the best-defended fortresses in the Lordship of the Isles in the vicinity. The foremost of these, Kisimul Castle, occupies an island in Castlebay, and has its own naval base. It is the seat of political power on the island.

Other forts include Dùn Chuidhir and An Dùn Bàn, Pictish brochs that are still occupied by the military as well as influential individuals, and there are also fortifications on the Bishop's Isles, to the south of Barra, which combined are inhabited by just under a thousand people who live in settlements which are built partly underground, like the Iron Age settlements on the Isle of Lewis. These forts include Dun Briste, which is defended by the massive cliffs of the island which are over six hundred feet in height.

One of these islands, Pabbay, has the ruins of a hermitage, and others have Neolithic settlements, some of which are still occupied (although these have mostly be rebuilt), and some of which are ruined.

Access to the island is difficult, and is best done from the north, via birlinns headed for Skye from the Isle of Lewis.