Weekend on the Isle of Barra.

One of our favourite weekends in the year is the Barrathon on the Isle of Barra on the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.  The Barrathon is a Half Marathon (13.1 Mile race) round the circumference of the Island, starting and ending in the main town Castlebay.  The weekend is more than just a race its a big event the whole island community gets involved with and they host a fantastic buffet after the race and a great ceilidh (A party with Scottish music and dancing) in the evening.

For more information on the Barrathon check out their website.

The race itself is one of the toughest half marathons around - it is very hilly and very windy.  However Gillian and I both really enjoy it, and we both had great runs this year.  I ran a course PB in 1 Hour 27 Minutes 34 Second coming in 6th place, Gillian coming in 2nd female 1 Hour 35 minutes 10 second.  We also won the team prize along with some friends so we were very happy.

Barrathon winning team shield.

The day after the race we took a trip with our friends Nick and Susan (who were cycle touring the Islands), to the remote island of Mingulay.  Mingulay is a very small island located at the southern most tip of the Outer Hebrides.  It was inhabited until 1912, but now is looked after my the National trust.  Its a fantastic place with lots of bird life and the second tallest sea cliffs in Europe.

Dean and Nick leaving Castlebay.

Captain Johnston !!!

Cliffs on the west side if Mingulay.

We sailed through some of the narrow channels

Sea arch.

Other side of the arch.

Mingulay Bay.

Mingulay Bay.

Puffin.

A strangle looking moth.

Looking down to the bay.

The old priest's house.

Looking back over the bay.

Walking through the old graveyard.

Lunch in the ruins of the village.

The amazing sea cliff.

Absolutely Caacing ourselves !!!

The seals followed us along the beach.

Our charter the "Boy James" and a Razorbill in the foreground.

Enjoying a cuppa onboard.

Kissimul Castle in Castlebay.