61. Tangasdale Beach

Leaving the spellbinding island of Vatersay, I cross the causeway and drive into Castlebay, Barra’s main town, for a look around and a spot of breakfast before joining up the much-heralded beaches of the island’s west coast, one by one. I sit alongside the ferry terminal looking out to the iconic 15th century Kisimul Castle sitting proudly in the bay. Now, with the sun high in the blue sky, I set off along the west coast. First up is Tangasdale Beach (or Halaman Bay), which almost feels like the private beach of the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel which sits at one end (and which handily provides a path down to the sand). With its white powder sand and turquoise waters, I expected the beach to be close to full (ie. more then ten people), but nope, just me and a couple in the distance sunbathing by the shore. And a few sheep.