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Published: March 12th 2008
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We went on a FABBY trip last weekend, by invitation from our pal Morven's parents George & Maureen, to the most beautiful island of Barra, which is one of the islands of the The Outer Hebrides on the West Coast of Scotland. You can get to Barra two ways - ferry from Oban, or flight from Glasgow. We flew. It wasn't that expensive really - about 100 pounds per person including tax and Beth went free of course as she's so teeny. Flight takes 50 mins and if it's a clear day you get the most amazing views imaginable, heading out over Oban, up the Sound of Mull (with top views of Tobermory 'Balamory' harbour with its gorgeously quaint painted buildings facing the sea), over the Atlantic ocean bypassing other beautiful islands such as Muck, Eigg and Rum. Its like a proper scenic flight, and the airline fly low on purpose to afford the passengers the best views possible. Although its a BA plane, the route is actually run by a small Scottish company called 'Loganair'. The plane which goes to Barra is very small and only takes a max of 13 passengers. The absolute best bit of the experience is
the landing which takes place on a vast, flat, immaculate glossy beach fringed with turquoise crystal waters. Naturally Beth being the seasoned flyer that she is, fell asleep the minute the engine started up and woke just as we landed. Same on the way home. Nice one!
The name of this entry 'Death By Hospitality' came about because we were so incredibly well looked after by George, Maureen, Morv & her husband Craig & sister Fiona from the moment we arrived on the Friday afternoon, till we left on Monday lunchtime. It was Alan who made the comment with delight one morning after his fourth meal before 11:15am; He'd already had a slice of toast with cheese for 1st breakfast, then came full Scottish breakfast for seconds incl bacon, eggs, mushrooms, black pudding, white pudding, sausages and more toast. 3rd breakfast consisted of a big bowl of oatmeal and chicken soup and two pitta breads with cheese & ham. This was rounded off with a cup of tea and a fat juicy slice of home made banana cake. Greedy effer! Alan says it wasnt his fault though, and that Maureen was to blame for being such a good cook! I have to agree on this point. On the Friday night we were treated to a seafood bonanza. We had lobster for the first time, which Shaz the Seafood phobic did try and enjoyed! Over the rest of the weekend we also feasted on local crab, fresh herring fried in oatmeal, homemade soups, scallops, amazing roast beef with all trimmings, chicken with coriander sauce, and wonderful Key Lime Pie. Yum yum yum yum yum!!!!!!!! The seafood on Barra is caught locally, and the island has a strong roots in the fishing industry. You can actually still see the fish processing buildings on the coast and there's a view of this from George n Maureen's back garden.
The weekend was incredibly relaxing. The thing about Barra is that you're not easily contactable. Mobile phone connection is virtually non existent, there are no internet cafes and its just really, really, really, quiet and lovely and rural and green and fresh and clean and oh just smashing! There is one solitary taxi on the whole island, and there's one main settlement called Castlebay. There are a handful of hotels, most of which used to be owned by Morv's family and a few bars, mostly in Castlebay. Shops are few, however you can get anything you really need from the main street and the Co-op store. It's the kind of place where the butcher also sells ski boots and sticking plasters, make up & hats!
Just because Barra is very quiet, don't be fooled into thinking that there is nothing to do. There's heaps! Its a dream come true for hill walkers and ramblers, plus sea activities abound, including windsurfing, fishing, boat trips, and scuba diving. You can also go cycling round the island and there were loads of people camping when we were there - just pitching up tents in the middle of a field or by the sea in a quiet secluded bay, and just getting on with things. One thing we would say about barra though is that if we hadnt have been with our pals, then it might have been a bit difficult to get around and do things with Beth. Outwith Castlebay there are no pavements, and just a single track road, therefore its not ideal from pram pushing. Beth has taken a bit of a dislike to her sling - think she might be getting a bit big for it to be honest - so carrying her about off road was fairly exhausting. Our plan to get round this was basically to let Morv n Craig chauffeur us around the place! This was an ideal contingency.
The weather here is typically Scottish - ie: one minute its raining cats n dogs, then the next its like Spain with a skyful of sun. Midges areprevalent here too so if you are planning to visit then take some strong insect repellant. Other insect horrors on Barra are Ticks. Shaz discovered one on her leg (severe 'AAAARRGH' moment ensued) but managed to get it off before it started burrowing into her skin. They are apparently a total mare to get off once they get their claws into you and start feeding, and horrible infections from the wound are almost certain. Find out more about the scary marys here:
Ticks . They live on sheep and sometimes hang about the grass waiting for you to walk by with no socks on then they attack!
Heaps of folk on Barra speak Gaelic, with the majority of native Scottish Gaelic speakers living on, or coming from, the Hebridean islands. The Gaelic language name for the islands - Innse Gall - means " Isles of foreigners " which has roots in the time when they were under Viking occupation. For those of you who dont know how to pronounce Gaelic there are two ways: First is like saying 'Garlic' but missing out the 'R'. Second is like saying 'Gay Lick'. Decide yourself which you fancy missus.
I wont go into any more detail here about Barra as I've ran out of the time theat our small child allowed me to write this up - instead I'm going to give a link to the
Barra Webpage where you can find out all about the island. We've posted quite a few photos from the island too with more info in the captions.
Finaly - a massive thanks to the Macleods and the Fultons for giving us a lovely time that we will look forward to repeating again at some point (hoho!). Alan keeps going on about land prices on Barra - so you never know, you may end up with some Eggy neighbours!
Bye for now,
Eggs. xxx
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