Castlebay

Castlebay
Bagh a Chaisteil

Castlebay, Barra's chief town and port is a town of some 2000 inhabitants situated in the south of the island. Castle Bay from which the town takes its name is a natural harbour, beautifully situated with an island in the centre upon which sits Kisimul Castle, ancient seat of the Clan MacNeil.

Like the rest of Barra, the town has benefited from the inception of the Comhairle nan Eilean (the local government agency covering the entire Western Isles) in 1974. Previously Castlebay was seen as the chief town of an island backwater in the remotest part of Inverness-shire. Subsequently, Barra haemorraged people to the brighter lights of Stornoway, Glasgow and beyond. Now, Castlebay is seen as the centre for the southern isles and the population has increased by one quarter in the last twenty years. There are many more young people of working age and fewer elderly people as a proportion as there were reported by the 1971 census.

Barra's main ferryport is situated in Castlebay and links the island to Oban, 85 miles away on the mainland and Lochboisdale on South Uist. Castlebay also features a number of fine hotels, the community school with swimming pool and leisure facilties, shops, petrol station and fine seafood restaurants. The town is overlooked by the imposing Our Lady Star Of The Sea church which acts as a sentinel for the predominantly Roman Catholic island.

While based upon a shipwreck which occured on the isle of Eriskay, off South Uist, the filming of Whisky Galore largely took place in the streets of Castlebay and visitors familiar with the film will recognise the harbour.

In July, the world-reknowned Feis Bharraidh takes place largely in Castlebay, a non-stop jamboree of dancing, music and other cultural events.

See also: Barra in the Hebrides, Northbay on Barra & Vatersay in the Hebrides