I spent 2 nights on a remote Scottish island that's been compared to the Caribbean. It was beautiful but I can't imagine living there.

Mikhaila FrielJan 14, 2024, 10:11 IST

Insider's reporter spent two nights on the Isle of Barra in Scotland.Getty Images, Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I visited the Isle of Barra, a gorgeous Scottish island that's known for its scenery.
I learned about the language, Gaelic, and I also discovered that the beaches have quicksand.

My partner and I live in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Though we spend most of our time in the city, we love exploring our country.

In September, we spent a weekend break on Barra, a remote island in the Outer Hebrides in western Scotland.

We wanted to visit because of its white sandy beaches, which have been compared to those in the Caribbean, and because it has the only airport in the world that uses the beach as the runway for commercial flights.

I was excited to get a taste of island life, and had a wonderful time on Barra, but I found that it wasn't as romantic as I'd imagined. Here's what it was like to visit.

I recently visited the Isle of Barra in Scotland, which is so beautiful it's been compared to the Caribbean. My partner and I arrived via plane from Glasgow, which took just over an hour.

Mikhaila Friel traveled on a tiny plane to Barra, an island in Scotland.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I recently visited the Isle of Barra in Scotland, which is so beautiful it's been compared to the Caribbean. My partner and I arrived via plane from Glasgow, which took just over an hour.

I instantly understood why Barra's beaches are famous.

A beach on Barra, Scotland.Universal Images Group via Getty Images

One of the best parts about our trip was the beach hotel where we stayed.

The author at the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

We loved the hotel's peace and quiet.

The empty restaurant at the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

As we explored the surrounding area, we realized why some of the beaches were empty.

A sign warning of quicksand on a beach in Barra.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Our time on Barra was a complete contrast to life in the city.

The staring contest begins.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

In Castlebay, we noticed that most of the signs were written in Gaelic.

All of the signs in Barra are written in Gaelic.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was fascinated by Castlebay's ancient castle.

Kisimul Castle on the Isle of Barra.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

Most of Barra's restaurants make use of the local produce.

The author tried scallop pakora while dining at Cafe Kisimul on Barra.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I adored the island for its beauty, but I couldn't picture myself spending longer than a week here.

The island has its own distinct personality.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I learned so much during the trip, from the dangers of quicksand to the realities of island life.

The author is pictured at the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

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I spent 2 nights on a remote Scottish island that's been compared to the Caribbean. It was beautiful but I can't imagine living there.

I recently visited the Isle of Barra in Scotland, which is so beautiful it's been compared to the Caribbean. My partner and I arrived via plane from Glasgow, which took just over an hour.

I instantly understood why Barra's beaches are famous.

One of the best parts about our trip was the beach hotel where we stayed.

We loved the hotel's peace and quiet.

As we explored the surrounding area, we realized why some of the beaches were empty.

Our time on Barra was a complete contrast to life in the city.

In Castlebay, we noticed that most of the signs were written in Gaelic.

I was fascinated by Castlebay's ancient castle.

Most of Barra's restaurants make use of the local produce.

I adored the island for its beauty, but I couldn't picture myself spending longer than a week here.

I learned so much during the trip, from the dangers of quicksand to the realities of island life.