Barra, island Barra

Grid reference

NL 678 994 (accurate position)

Six-figure easting & northing

67800 799400

Latitude

56.966253003697155

Longitude

-7.467461776835512

Altitude (metres)

384

County

Inverness-shire

Nearby places

St Brendan RC Church, Barra (1.93 miles)

St Michael's Chapel, eccl. Barra (2.35 miles)

Cille Bhrianain, eccl. Barra (Vatersay) (2.45 miles)

Rubha Mhìcheil, Barra (3.72 miles)

Eilean Sheumais, Barra (4.38 miles)

Object Classification

Island

Is linear feature?

No

Notes

The cult of St Barr on Barra in the late eighteenth century is recorded in OSA (xiii, 326): 'The ancient name of this parish is not known. Its present name seems to be derived from St Barr, the tutelar saint of the island, and to whose memory the 25th of September is dedicated as a holiday. On this day the Priest says mass, and all those of the Romish religion used punctually to attend* *After mass the people amused themselves with horse-races, and spent the evening in mirth and conviviality. Of late years this custom has been much on the decline. Formerly there was an image of the saint in the church-yard of Shilbar, (the principal place of worship, and probably the burial-place of the saint), which was clothed with a linen shirt every year upon his own anniversary.'

Relationships with other parishes

Within Barra, parish aka Kilbarr

Relationships with other places

Contains Cille Bharra, eccles. Barra