Beautiful Barra

Barra, the most southerly of the inhabited Outer Hebrides is famous for beauty, beaches and wildlife.. So we decided on a little week away, off-grid, in May, here is what we found:

What an amazing place Barra is. The airport itself is one of the most unusual in the world - flights land on the beach from Glasgow.. in between tides!

Our first day I managed 15000 steps walking from my front door of the cottage we hired, to the airport one way, and the port of Ardmhor in the other. My top things to do: Visit the numerous fabulous beaches: What a place to have a potter around, enjoying the beaches and dodging the rain clouds! The scenery is simply stunning, with often no-one else but you on the beach! A dog's paradise! A photographer's paradise! Or just perfect for someone who needs some 'me time'! But shhhhh we don’t want everyone to know how beautiful it is. Just have a look through the images if you don’t believe me. Nature, Cycling and Hiking: Barra is a quiet place, great for nature lovers, hikers and it's also on the Great Hebridean Cycle Route. Its got a slow pace of life, and you unwind as soon as you step off the ferry from Oban. Watersports: Big thanks to Callum at Barra Surf Adventures for a great few hours out on the water around Castlebay, we spotted grey and common seals, the sun shone too, just like we told it to.

Outer Hebrides exploration: There are easy ferries between islands so hopping around the Hebrides is straight forward. We had a beautiful day on Vatersay. Another to add to my list of favourite places. Only 90 people live on this funny shaped little isle and what a sight seeing cows walking along the beach!

Food: The food is fabulous, we ate some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever had for lunch. Eaten from a tiny shack, wind in our hair and sun on our faces. Heaven on earth. And in the evening, I can highly recommend Cafe Kisimul. We booked tables months ago and boy oh boy we weren't disappointed. I can highly recommend the Local Barra lamb saag and monkfish achavi balti. Delicious local Scottish food with an Indian twist, superb service, cracking atmosphere. Oh and a banging Barranasa cocktail!

Barra - you've reminded me why I love the Great Outdoors, stunning little place, I've left a little bit of my heart there.