BARRAS OUTLYING ISLANDS
The Scottish islands of Mingulay (Mhiughlaigh), Berneray (Bearnaraigh) and Pabbay (Phabaigh) were acquired by the National Trust for Scotland in 2000 and are now designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) due to the their abundant Hebridean wildlife and well preserved ruined villages.
HISTORY OF BARRA'S OUTLYING ISLANDS
Though Mingulay and Pabbay have been uninhabited since 1912 and Berneray since its lighthouse was automated in 1980, the well-preserved villages and field systems provide fascinating evidence of the challenging lifestyle of the generations of Hebridean crofters and fishers who managed to survive here over many thousands of years.
The important role of sailing in Outer Hebrides culture is immortalised in the famed Mingulay Boat Song, which is probably the best known ode to these islands. It was composed by Sir Hugh S Roberton in 1938 and has been recorded a number of times since.
The Barra Head lighthouse on the cliffs of Berneray is 693ft above sea level, making it one of the highest in the UK. Built by Robert Stevenson (grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson), it was manned for 150 years and is owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
WILDLIFE ON BARRA'S OUTLYING ISLANDS
These islands are famous for their colonies of razorbills, puffins, kittiwakes and fulmars in the nesting season and of seals in the autumn.
Sandray (Sanndraigh), which lies less than 1 km south of Vatersay and has been uninhabited since 1934, is now a favoured spot for birdwatching in the Outer Hebrides due to its large seabird colony.
