FOLKS who’ve taken themselves out to delightful Barra Island in Scotland’s beautiful Outer Hebrides and want to do it again, find that when they start checking for the same arrival and departure times as they took last time, these appear to have been simply removed and replaced with others that can be some hours different from before.
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And it’s not because of bureaucratic reviewing or rearranging – or worse still, even bungling – but more bizarrely is the work of Mother Nature, and her daily changes in the times of the island’s tides.
Because while Barra’s airport terminal building and control tower are located on the island’s “mainland,” its three runways are in fact simply the sands of the fringing ocean beach alongside – making for the only airport in the world where scheduled seven-day-a-week flights use a beach as the runway.
And because they are flooded by the sea every high tide, these runways can only be used by STOL aircraft (Short Take Off and Landing,) and only during daytime low tides, as there are no facilities for night-time operations other than emergencies.
As well, as tide times change daily, it means flight times change pretty regularly too, so beachgoers need be prepared to make a move with the Esky and towel when the warning signals go off advising that a plane’s about to land or take off.
A sign on the beach warns swimmers: “Barra Airport – Keep off the beach when the windsock is flying and the airport is active.”
The landing strip isn’t only unique – it’s also considered one of the most spectacular in the world.
The runway has frequently been shortlisted in travel industry searches for the most scenic and iconic plane landing sites.
As one voter put it: “Where else in the world can you fly over majestic mountains, stunning coastline and turquoise seas before descending over an historic harbour castle and landing on a large silver sand beach? Totally stunning and totally unique. Nothing comes close.”
By all accounts, the island itself is well worth visiting, with beautiful beaches, friendly locals and medieval buildings (it’s the historic seat of Clan MacNeil). But be prepared to be flexible with your itinerary.
