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A small propeller aircraft on a wide tidal beach runway, distant islands on the horizon and wet sand reflecting the sky.
Outer Hebrides

Barra Airport

The only airport in the world with scheduled flights landing on a beach, on the sands of Traigh Mhor at the north of Barra, with flights to Glasgow timed by the tide.

Welcome

At the north end of Barra, planes land on the beach.

Barra Airport uses the wide, firm sands of Traigh Mhor as its runway, and it is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights come down on a beach. The first official service landed here on 7 August 1936, and 2026 marks ninety years of flights.

Loganair's small twin-propeller planes, with their tartan tails, fly to and from Glasgow on a timetable set by the tides, because at high water the runway is under the sea. Watching one come in low over the water and touch down on the sand is one of the great sights of the Hebrides, and plenty of people come just to see it.

The little terminal has a cafe whose cooking has won a BBC Food and Farming Award. Check the day's flight times, find a spot by the dunes, and keep off the beach when a plane is due.

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Before you go

Flights run to a tidal timetable; check the day's times.

Keep clear of the beach when a plane is due.

Runway
The sands of Traigh Mhor.
Flights
Loganair, to Glasgow.
Since
1936.

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Did you know

A Loganair twin-propeller aircraft, its tartan tailfin catching the light, standing on a wide tidal beach runway with low hills on the horizon.
Did you know

Seen from space.

Barra's beach runway has been photographed by NASA's ASTER satellite.

An old wooden rowing boat lies beached on a misty shore, gorse in yellow flower in the foreground and a white cottage with a red roof standing across the bay.
Did you know

Ninety years on the sand.

The first scheduled flight landed on Traigh Mhor on 7 August 1936.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Outer Hebrides

At the north end of Barra, planes land on the beach. Barra Airport uses the firm sands of Traigh Mhor as its runway, and it is the only airport in the world where scheduled flights touch down on a beach. The first service landed in 1936, and the timetable to Glasgow still follows the tides, because at high water the runway is under the sea. Check the day's flight times, find a spot by the dunes and watch a little plane come in low over the water. Keep off the sand when one is due.

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Where it is

At Eoligarry, at the north end of Barra, HS9 5YD.

Close byBarra.
  1. Castlebay village and Kisimul Castle seen from the hills above BarraHeavalBarra's highest hill.7 miles 13 min by road
  2. Yacht beached on shore with Kisimul Castle visible on its islet beyondKisimul CastleThe castle in the bay at Castlebay.8 miles 15 min by road
  3. Thatched stone cottages with cart wheels and old farm tools on displayBarra Heritage Centre9 miles 16 min by road
  4. Aerial view of waves breaking on sand beside dark rocky outcropsIsle of Barra Distillers9 miles 16 min by road
  5. Turquoise bay curves into a white sandy beach with distant walkers and hillsVatersay BeachesWhite sands on the island to the south.14 miles 35 min by road
Directions

Nothing of ours in this part of the map.

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