Berneray
Beàrnaraigh
A small island with a very large beach. The Harris ferry lands here; a causeway south leads to North Uist.
Berneray accommodation is famous for the Gatliff hostel, a handful of cottages and B&Bs, and one of the best beaches in the Hebrides. It is a small island — stay here if you want West Beach at dawn and the Harris ferry on the doorstep.
Names people look for: Berneray Shop and Bistro · Kelleys Pod
- Getting here
- CalMac from Leverburgh (Harris) to Berneray. The causeway south leads to North Uist and Lochmaddy (about 20 minutes). Ferry timetables →
- Townships
- Borve, the harbour, and houses along the machair toward West Beach.
Beaches & walks
Published places on Berneray.
Berneray accommodation
12 places to stay
Berneray Otter Cottage
Cosy Berneray Otter Cottage sleeps six, perfect for families and friends on the beautiful Uist islands.
Kelleys Pod
A timber pod for two on elevated ground on Berneray, with a kitchen, terrace and views that stretch from St Kilda to the Skye Cuillin.
Otter Cottage, Berneray
Historic Setting: Berneray Otter Cottage in Berneray offers a spacious holiday home housed in a historic building.
Berneray Cottage - 30 Backhill
A detached, newly re-thatched stone cottage for two by the sea on Berneray, with views across the bay from every room.
Taigh Ailean
Restored thatched blackhouse on the shore at Rushgarry, Berneray, with one king bedroom and sofa beds, minutes from East Beach.
Kilda View
3 bedroom lodge located on Berneray. 20 minutes from Lochmaddy ferry terminal 5 minutes from the Ferry terminal for Harris. Close to beaches in a peaceful location with Atlantic views.
Berneray property
2 listings from local agents
On Berneray
14 businesses in the directory
Berneray Causeway
Road causeway linking Berneray to Otternish, North Uist, opened in 1999 to replace the island ferry
Berneray Church (Eaglais na h-Alba)
Church of Scotland church at Backhill, Berneray, with services at noon on the first, third and fifth Sundays
Berneray Shop and Bistro
Indulge in the warm hospitality and delicious local cuisine at Berneray Shop and Bistro, where you can enjoy freshly prepared food, Scottish specialties, and stunning island views.
Coralbox Gift Shop
Small independent gift shop on Berneray selling island photography gifts, calendars, jewellery and Harris Tweed
Croft36
Croft bakery and takeaway at Northton, Harris: fresh bread, filled butteries and bakes, Mon–Sat from 11am until sold out
East Beach
Sandy beach on the east side of Berneray, with a 24-hour live webcam streaming views over the sand towards Uist
Stories from Berneray
All lore →A cult folk album was written on a Berneray croft
Vashti Bunyan wrote much of Just Another Diamond Day, the 1970 folk album that became a cult classic decades later, while living on a croft on Berneray. Fish, the former Marillion singer, has a croft on the island too.
FactBerneray's beach was used to advertise Thailand
In 2009 Thailand's tourist board advertised Kai Bae beach with a photograph of white sand and turquoise water. It was West Beach, Berneray. Nobody noticed until an islander did.
FactThe Berneray ferry may only sail if it can see the next two buoys
The Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh is so full of reefs and islands that the ferry, running since 1996, is only allowed to proceed if the crew can see the next two marker buoys ahead.
FactThe King spent a week on Berneray as an anonymous crofter
In 1987 the world's press discovered that Prince Charles had been living on Berneray as an ordinary crofter, lifting potatoes and dipping sheep under the name of the family who hosted him. He came back in 1999 to open the causeway.
Berneray — common questions
How many people live on Berneray? ▾
About 130 people live on Berneray, mostly around Borve and Backhill. The island is three miles long and has a shop, a bistro, a hostel and a scatter of cottages and B&Bs.
Is Berneray connected to North Uist? ▾
Yes. A causeway opened in 1999 links Berneray to North Uist, so you can drive from the Harris ferry at Berneray straight down through the islands to Eriskay without another boat.
How long is the ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh? ▾
The CalMac crossing between Berneray and Leverburgh on Harris takes about an hour. It is a small ferry, so book vehicles ahead in summer.
Is Berneray worth visiting? ▾
For West Beach alone, yes: three miles of empty white sand backed by dunes and flower-rich grassland. Add seals in the harbour, the Gatliff hostel and the quiet, and many people rate it the best island in the Outer Hebrides.
How do I get to Berneray accommodation? ▾
Sail from Leverburgh on Harris, or drive from Lochmaddy over the causeway (about 20 minutes). There is no airport on Berneray.
Is Berneray only for walkers? ▾
Walkers and beach people, yes — but families stay too. There is a shop in season, the hostel, and easy access to North Uist if you want a wider choice of meals and shops.
Is there much Berneray property for sale? ▾
Very little. When a house is listed it will show on this page alongside the rest of the Uist property feed from the local agents.