Vatersay ('glove island', Gaelic 'Bhatarsaigh'), (pictured left, click to enlarge). Vatersay is just to the south of the south-west tip of Barra to which it has been joined by a causeway (pictured below, right) since 1991. Before the causeway (which cost £3.7 million) was built the Island was served by a passenger ferry from Castlebay in Barra. The island is roughly three miles long and about 2.5 miles wide, but is nearly cut in two by bays, on its east and west coast, with large expanses of magnificent sandy beaches. The island is hilly, and rises to over 600 feet. Vatersay is the most southerly inhabited island of the Western Isles.

In 1901 the population of the island was reduced to only 13 (as a resultof the 'clearances') but by 1911 this number dramatically increased to 288 after movements of people from Barra and Mingulay. Sadly by 1971 the population had fallen to 77 rising briefly to 107 in 1981. By 1988 the population had again fallen to 65. The population of Vatersay has been increased due to various factors including the opening of the causeway and increased housing. Presently Vatersay has a population of less than 100, many of who are bilibgual (English/Gaelic speaking). The primary school was closed in 1992 due to the fact there were only 4 pupils attending the school at that time.

The Annie Jane, a ship carrying immigrants from Liverpool to America, was shipwrecked off Vatersay on 28th September 1853, and there is a monument to commemorate the tragedy. Over 350 men, women and children were killed, and most of them were buried on Vatersay. It is said that the servants of Donald MacLellan, who was the tenant on Vatersay farm, stole valuables from the dead that were washed up on the beach, even chopping fingers off to get valuable rings.