Eoligarry
On leaving the jetty, follow the road straight on to the cemetery and churchyard at Cille Bharra (St Barr’s Chapel). The remains of the buildings, including the one recently re-
roofed, are not thought to date any further back than the 12th century, although the history of the churchyard may go back to the 9th century. Of the three buildings, the
middle one is believed to be the earliest church. The writer Compton MacKenzie is buried in the top part of the cemetery.Leaving the cemetery, heading west, you next come
to St. Vincent’s Church, built in 1964. Surrounding the church are the remains of walling. This is all that is left to show of the once magnificent Eoligarry House and gardens.
Built in 1795 by Colonel MacNeil, the house was sold in 1840 by his son, General MacNeil, to Gordon of Cluny , along with the rest of Barra. By this time Eoligarry had been
cleared of all the crofters, and was one farm. In 1840, Dr. MacGillivary became Tacksman (tenant farmer) of Eoligarry.
After his death, his sons continued there until 1939 when William, the last surviving son, died. The farm had long since been split into
crofts. The house was demolished in 1976. Following the road towards Scurrival in the summer months, you will undoubtedly hear the
creck,creck of the corn crake. If you are fortunate, you will also catch a glimpse of this elusive bird. Where the road takes a sharp bend, at
the pebbly shore, there is a stile. On the hill above stand the remains of Dun Scurrival. The walk is now marked out with posts. Reaching
the Dun is the hardest part of the walk, as the climb is quite steep.Dun Scurrival is an Iron Age fort. It was built approximately 2,000 years
ago. It commands one of the most magnificent views on the island. It is what is known as a galleried Dun, with passages between the
inner and outer walls. Originally the walls would have stood about 10-15 metres high.
Following the marker posts takes you to the top of Ben Eoligarry. On route you will be see, from April onwards, a wide variety of wild
flowers. May sees Eoligarry carpeted in primroses, and as the summer progresses orchids, lady’s bedstraw and clover are just some of the
many flowers to be seen. Barra is thought to contain approximately 400 different plant species, and a lot of them are to be seen at
Eoligarry. Also to be looked out for are birds of prey. Because of the large number of rabbits it is a good area for spotting buzzards and even the occasional eagle. Merlin
have also been seen around this area. To reduce the walk, head left to the main road beside the school. Then walk back to the jetty following the road. Continuing south
along Traigh Eais, a number of sea birds can be seen, including ringed plovers, sandpipers, oystercatchers and sometimes gannets can be seen diving offshore.
Reaching the end of the beach, the route turns left back to the main road. Near the road is Suidheachan. This is the house that Compton MacKenzie built and lived in. For a
number of years it was a factory producing products from the cockle shells taken from the Traigh Mhor ( big beach). Crossing the stile here takes you back onto the main
road. Traigh Mhor is a cockle strand and Barra's unique airport. With daily flights to Glasgow and Benbecula, it is the only commercial beach airstrip in the world.
To continue the walk from Ben Eoligarry you should head right to Traigh Eais ( the beach on the right). To reduce the walk, head left to the main road beside the school.
Then walk back to the jetty following the road. Continuing south along Traigh Eais, a number of sea birds can be seen, including ringed plovers, sandpipers and
oystercatchers. Sometimes gannets can be seen diving offshore. Reaching the end of the beach, the route turns left back to the main
road. Near the road is “Suidheachan”. This is the house that Compton MacKenzie built and lived in. Crossing the stile here takes you onto
the main road. Traigh Mhor is a cockle strand and Barra's unique airport. With daily flights to Glasgow and Benbecula, it is the only
commercial beach airstrip in the world. Passing the air terminal, you can either return to Eoligarry jetty by the road or, if the airport is
closed, along the shoreline past the island of Orosay and along Traigh Cille Bharra. Care should be taken if going over to Orosay, as it is a
tidal island.
The walk back along the shore should enable you to see a wide variety of birds, which can include shelducks, plovers, redshanks and
various gulls. On the machair side, lapwings and curlews can often be seen. There is also a large variety of orchids and other wild flowers
to be seen on the machair, which in the summer months is a carpet of colour.
Follow the crofting code.Please ensure that dogs are kept on a leash at all times.Park your car with consideration for others and do not block gates.Fasten gates and use
stiles provided to cross fences.Leave no litter.Try not to disturb breeding birds and animals.Protect wildlife and plants.Avoid damaging archaeological sites. Permission to
construct the heritage trails has come from the local crofters. Please remember that this ground is still used for crofting purposes