Barra
Barra (Eilean Bharraigh in Gaelic) is a mostly Roman Catholic island, and the southermost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The Clan MacNeil has strong ties to the Isle of Barra and can trace its lineage back to the O'Neils of Ulster (hence the red hand on the arms of the Chief) who came to Barra from Ireland around the year 1000.
Barra's main village is Castlebay (Bàgh a'Chaisteil) from which ferries sail to Oban on the Scottish mainland and Lochboisdale on South Uist. The town is home to Kisimul Castle, hereditary seat of the MacNeil's, and the Dualchas Heritage and Cultural Centre.
Barra is also linked by a causeway to Eilean Bhatarsaigh (Vatersay).
Other places of interest on the island the Black House Museum, a ruined church and museum at Cille-Bharra, an Iron Age broch at Dun Chuidhir,
Scurrival Point and beaches, most sandy. Cockle Strand is composed of shells and used at low tide as an airstrip. The beach is also a source of cockles.
Flag
The Barra flag, a white Nordic cross on a green field, has the same traditional colours as Fionbarr, the saint after whom Barra is named.
The Nordic cross is used in many island flags of Scotland where the Norse left their mark: South Uist, Orkney, Shetland and possibly an echo of one in the flag of Lewis.
