The island of Barra is a predominantly Gaelic-speaking island, and apart from the adjacent island of Vatersay, to which it is connected by a causeway, is the southernmost inhabited island of the Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar) in Scotland.
The Hebridean Toffee Factory in Castlebay is one of the few manufacturers on Barra.
The fish factory, Barratlantic, in Northbay is a major contributor to the island's economy.
A new venture, the Isle of Barra distillery producing around 25,000 litres per annum, is planned for Borve on the west side of the island. When operational it will be amongst the smallest in Scotland and the second distillery in the Outer Hebrides.
Tourism is the main income for the majority of islanders. The main tourist season lasts from May to September. Thousands of people visit the Island every year, the busiest times are during Fèis Bharraigh & BarraFest in July.
Boat trips to the neighbouring island of Mingulay are available during the Summer season, island hopping plane trips are also available.
Barra Airport (IATA: BRR, ICAO: EGPR) (also known as Barra Eoligarry Airport) is a short-runway airport (or STOLport) situated in the wide shallow bay of Traigh Mhòr at the north tip of the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The airport is unique, being the only one in the world where scheduled flights use a beach as the runway. The airport is operated by Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, which owns most of the regional airports in mainland Scotland and the outlying islands.
The beach is set out with three runways, marked by wooden poles at their ends. This allows the Twin Otters that serve the airport to almost always land into the wind. At high tide these runways are under the sea - flight times vary with the tide. Emergency flights occasionally operate at night from the airport, with vehicle lights used to illuminate the runway and reflective strips laid on to the beach.
The beach is also popular with visitors and cockle pickers, who are asked to observe the windsock to see if the airport is in operation.
