Barra Head
| Scottish Gaelic name | Beàrnaraigh |
|---|---|
| Old Norse name | Bjarnaray |
| Meaning of name | Old Norse for "Bjørn's island" |
| Location | |
| OS grid reference | NL553799 |
| Coordinates | 56°48′N 7°39′W / 56.8°N 7.65°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uist and Barra |
| Area | 204 ha (3⁄4 sq mi) |
| Area rank | 107 |
| Highest elevation | Sotan, 193 m (633 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Outer Hebrides |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 0 |
| References | |
Barra Head, also known as Berneray (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh), is the southernmost island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. Within the Outer Hebrides, it forms part of the Barra Isles archipelago. Originally, Barra Head only referred to the southernmost headland of Berneray but is now a common name for the entire island. The highest point of the island is Sotan, a Marilyn.
There are numerous prehistoric structures on the island and permanent occupation by 20–50 individuals occurred throughout the historic period, peaking in the 19th century. The economy of the residents was based on agriculture, fishing and fowling. The cliffs provide nesting sites for seabirds in such profusion that Berneray has been designated as a Special Protection Area.
The Barra Head Lighthouse, designed by Robert Stevenson, has operated since 1833. From 1931 to 1980 Barra Head was inhabited only by the lighthouse keepers and their wives but the lighthouse is now automated and the island completely uninhabited. The rough seas that surround the island have been used to test prototype lifeboats.