Today we commenced at Castlebray where overnighted at Castlebay Hotel (good experience) which overlooks the bay. After a complete circuit of the intriguing island of Barra (which includes the island airport which uses the beach as a landing strip) we returned to Castlebay to visit Kisimul Castle. This castle has been heavily restored by the Chief of Clan MacNeil and is accessed via a short boat trip and affords a worthwhile visit. I was fascinated by the small collection of guns taken from the Culloden Battlefield in 1746.

Next we moved to the north of the island to visit an ancient Christian site and burial ground dating to the 12th century. Nearby we observed -and photographed- cockle pickers working the beaches

After lunch in a local hotel (and shelter from the harsh weather) we connected with the ferry to Eriskay to facilitate our drive north to Benbecula.

On the drive north we visited the excavated remains of iron-age round houses and a village featuring a number of traditional thatched cottages which we duly photographed.

We found our way to our lodgings (Borve Guest House) which happens to have a derelict castle standing behind it and which I will photograph tomorrow.

For evening meal we patronised the Orasay Inn which offered good food albeit served by an overstreched waiter who deserved some help.

Overall, a good day which provided a very wide range of experiences and sites of interest. More to come tomorrow!
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