Berneray in the Hebrides
Bearnaraigh With just 141 people, three mile long and one and a half mile wide Berneray lies in the Sound of Harris, just off of North Uist. At present it is only accessible by ferry from Leverburgh in South Harris and Newton Ferry in North Uist, but the islanders are pushing hard for a causeway.
A little known fact about Berneray is that the Prince of Wales is a frequent visitor - he spends a lot of holidays on this tiny island, sweeping in and out by helicopter. While just off the coast of North Uist, it is in fact part of the Parish of Harris. This was due to its former role as the breadbasket of Harris - or rather potatobasket - the island kept Harris supplied with these tubers for years in centuries past.
The Gaelic scholar, Norman MacLeod was born here in the Gunnery of LacLeod - the oldest building on the island. Thomas Telford - more famous for his bridges - built the North Church and the Chair Stone was a reputed site for executions.
Amonst many other claims to fame, this place of just 150 souls also was the birthplace in 1825 of the Giant MacAskill - 7 feet 9 inches tall he toured with Barnum's circus.
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