Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United Kingdom Scotland Outer Hebrides Barra Airport
AO Edited

Barra Airport

This beach runway is off limits during high tide.

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Added By
Alex Timian
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Plane landing, Barra Airport.   Colin Moss/CC BY-ND 2.0
The Barra Airport.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Signs warn pedestrians to keep off the beach.   Kerry Wolfe / Atlas Obscura User
Barra Airport.   Rachel H/CC BY-ND 2.0
A unique Jetway at Barra   jeanome / Atlas Obscura User
Bird mosaics in the airport terminal   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

You might want to think twice before lying on this beach in Barra, of Scotland's Outer Hebrides, because it will drastically increase your chances of being hit by an airplane.

With only three runways, Barra Airport is one of the only places in the world where flights take off from a sand beach. Signs marking the area as a part of the airport keep visitors from spreading out their blankets and getting smashed by an ascending plane, but the real danger of Barra Airport is for the airplanes.

Carefully monitoring the wind and the tides, airport officials will only use the runway when they are sure it won't be overrun by the sea. The runway, which is located on Traigh Mhòr bay, is often awash below a fair amount of water, making take off or landing completely impossible and dangerous.

Related Tags

Architectural Oddities Outsider Architecture Beaches Airports Architecture

Community Contributors

Added By

atimian

Edited By

LandThrill, aribrown, linkogecko, Kerry Wolfe...

  • LandThrill
  • aribrown
  • linkogecko
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • jeanome

Published

December 29, 2011

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport/airport-information/history-of-barra/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barra_Airport_(Scotland)
  • http://www.hial.co.uk/barra-airport/airport-information/history-of-barra/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barra_Airport_(Scotland)
Barra Airport
Eoligarry
Barra
Outer Hebrides, Scotland, HS9
United Kingdom
57.024464, -7.446191
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Eriskay Football Pitch

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Catalina Wreck

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Barra Bunting

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides

Scotland

Places 26
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Eriskay Football Pitch

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Catalina Wreck

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Barra Bunting

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Outer Hebrides

Outer Hebrides

Scotland

Places 26
Stories 1

Related Stories and Lists

18 of the World's Most Delightful Airport Features

flight

By Eric Grundhauser

9 Airports More Interesting Than the One You're Stuck In

architecture

By Kerry Wolfe

Related Places

  • The Hermit House.

    Herzliya, Israel

    The Hermit House

    This marvelous work of outsider architecture is built into the cliffs of an Israeli beach.

  • Paro Airport.

    Paro, Bhutan

    Paro International Airport

    This Himalayan airport provides one of the most difficult landings in the world.

  • Exterior of Castle, with cemetery .

    Greenback, Tennessee

    Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)

    One man has spent decades faithfully constructing this unique brick and cinderblock castle.

  • The two lighthouses of Puerto Morelos.

    Puerto Morelos, Mexico

    The Leaning Lighthouse

    Still standing despite its considerable slant, this tilted lighthouse has become a local symbol of resilience.

  • Slide at Changi Airport.

    Singapore

    Changi Airport Slides

    The busy transport hub is home to the tallest airport slide in the world.

  • Los Angeles, California

    Mosaic Tile House

    Rainbow-hued local gem in Venice.

  • La Maison Sculptée.

    Amanlis, France

    La Maison Sculptée

    An enchanting work of outsider art, full of whimsical sculptures and carvings.

  • Front entrance to the Whale House.

    Santa Barbara, California

    Whale House

    This stunning sea creature-shaped home blends into the landscape like a fantasy villa.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.