Flying From Scotland's Beach Airport

Barra Eoligarry Airport is the only scheduled airport to use the beach as its runway - providing the tide is out.

Scotland is famously a land of mountains, myths, and castles. However, it is also home to a truly unique oddity of aviation. The Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, which is around 11 miles long and home to about 1,000 inhabitants, features a small airport on the northern-most tip that has no actual runway.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra, Scotland.

Without a permanent paved runway, as you'd expect to find at any other airport, Barra's aircraft land on Traigh Mhor beach which is located next to the main airport buildings. Three strips are laid out using wooden poles. During high tide, most of the beach is submerged meaning flights have to be scheduled to avoid the water.

If you're wondering about the aircraft themselves, the airport is currently served by de Haviland Canada Twin Otters. These are STOL airplanes which have fixed tricycle undercarriages and twin turboprop engines. The versatile nature of the aircraft makes them ideal for landing both on the sand at Barra and on neighboring island's conventional runways.

Personally, Barra's airport actually has a special significance for me as it was the first airport I ever flew from. Fourteen years ago, as a child, this was my first flight on an airplane.

Taking off on the wet beach, the Twin Otter's tall fixed gear avoids spray and sand reaching any sensitive areas of the airframe.

10,000 passengers fly to and from Barra every year. The cockpit fits a pilot and co-pilot whilst the small cabin can cram in around 20 people total.

The views of the scattered islands from up above are simply stunning.

Flying in a small aircraft like this is really the best way to see this part of the world and an excellent way to travel.

Down below, small roads stretch between the mountains.

Flying into the airport of Barra can be a great adventure. The airport is 116 nautical miles from Inverness, 140 nautical miles from Glasgow, and 75 nautical miles from the Scottish mainland. If you get a chance to fly there, do so. The second most scenic landing in the world is an experience that won't be forgotten easily.