Unless you arrive via the beach airport on Barra's northern side, you'll arrive at Barra, and depart from it, via the ferry at Castlebay, the largest settlement on Barra. Kisimul Castle, the castle in the bay after which Castlebay takes its name was a stronghold of the Clan MacNeil. The current laird, Iain MacNeil, leased the restored Kisimul Castle to Historic Scotland and started a process that will, at no cost, lead to public ownership of the whole of Barra The filming of Whisky Galore helped Castlebay as it kept the Castlebay Hotel fully occupied throughout the filming. Although the story was based on nearby Eriskay, the filmed version put Barra on the map. Today, Castlebay has hotels and guest houses, B&Bs, shops, a bank and a hospital.... < more >