Croft No 2 Caravan & Campsite

Croft No 2 Caravan & Campsite offers a semi-wild stay at Eoligarry, in the north of Barra, with an open-field setting rather than pitches directly on the shore. The mile-long white sands of Tràigh Scurrival are around 100 metres away, making beach walks a straightforward part of a stay. Tents and campervans are welcome, as are dogs. Practical comforts include a modern toilet and shower block, a washing machine and electrical hook-up, combining a simple camping atmosphere with useful facilities.

The coastline gives walkers plenty to explore, with stretches of sand linking towards Tràigh Mhòr and Barra’s unusual airport. Here, scheduled flights land on the tidal beach, with timings governed by the tides. The runway sands are only open to walkers when the airport is closed and the windsocks are down, so this is a beach outing that needs attention to airport restrictions as well as the sea.

For a more varied walk, the Eoligarry Explorer starts near the village jetty and combines minor roads, rough hill pasture and beaches. Its circuit takes in the remains of Dun Sgurabhal, an Iron Age fort, and Cille Bharra’s historic church and chapels. The latter makes an interesting stop in its own right, with medieval grave markers adding another layer to the peninsula’s history. Parts of the walking route cross grazing croftland, where dogs need to be kept under tight control.