192. Barrier No 4 Beach

The construction of the Churchill Barriers in 1940 to protect the Royal Navy fleet from the islands’ eastern approaches has dramatically altered the tidal and sediment movements, causing huge build ups of sand and dunes alongside some of the causeways. Like the one at Glimps Holm, the beach at the Burray end of Barrier No 4 has become a haven for wildflowers and birds … and visitors of course. I stopped here on my way back to Burray for my last beach of the afternoon. A fascinating information board by the car park explains the story of the workforce who constructed the barriers, including many Italian prisoners of war who only agreed to be involved in the work (the Geneva Convention forbid them from being forced to do so) because they were convinced the barriers would bring enormous benefit to the island communities after the war. An Italian Chapel stands nearby to recognise the contribution of these POWs.