The Wildlife Map of the Hebrides

27. Berneray

Berneray is the only inhabited island in the sound of Harris; and is linked by causeway to North Uist. It used to be the seat of the Macleods of Berneray and was long established a centre of Gaelic culture. Half of the island is machair and there are no rabbits. The drainage system was changed in the past so that Loch Bhruist, which once flowed to the shore over the machair was directed to the South into Loch Borve. The village of Sialbaidh was covered by sand in the same storm of 1697 which destroyed Baile Meadhonach on Pabbay. A leaflet is available for a self guided walk around Berneray.