Barra: Kisimul Castle
Continuing my series World from Above with a view of the medieval Kisimul Castle which lies on a rock in Castlebay on the Outer Hebridean island of Barra.
Taken just before landing at the island’s beach airport.
At the start of my 2007 tour of the Outer Hebrides, we left cloudy Glasgow to fly to sunny Barra on the only scheduled flight in the world to land on a beach with the timetable dictated by the tides! I can highly recommend this amazing trip in a Twin Otter prop plane seating just 15 passengers, and the first officer doubling up as steward! “If it had been clear leaving Glasgow, we would have taken the scenic route a wee bit lower over the Sound of Mull…,” apologised the pilot. He made up for it by doing a circle of Barra before landing.
Please enlarge to appreciate the light, etc. better.
Featured in Highland and Island Photographers and in the new group specialising in Aerial work From the Cockpit
Lovers of the Isles may like my calendar Outer Hebridean Coastlines. Calendars with aerial views – The World from Above – Nature’s Wonders and The World from Above – Landscapes
Barra: Kisimul Castle belongs to the following groups:
! 100% !, *Islands of The World* - Photography Only, 3/day limit, Bird's Eye View, Featured Features - For Featured Art, Photography, T-Shirts, Writing, From The Cockpit, Going Coastal (2 art per day), Heritage in Stone, Highlands and Islands Photographers, Historic Places *2 per day*, Scotlands History, SEA, Smugglers Havens. 2 a Day Please., The Scots are Coming and à EUROPA! Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints and Framed Prints
Kasia-D
Dedicated to Larry Davis, who reminded me of my amazing flight to Barra and the unique landing on the beach airport. Has to be experienced to be believed!
Larry Davis
Thanks you so much for the link Kasia.
I am overwhelmed.
We have done every inch of this castle, as we contactwed John McNeill bwfore we left home, and who is the boatman to take you over to it.
He was so helpfull, he walked us over every little crevice.
And because I play Celtic Music ob Harmonica’s, I got to perform at the local Ce’ilidh on the Friday night and the Pub on the Sat Night.
Hired a bike and rode all over the Island.
Went to Vatersay and Mingalay.
Photographed the “Wheel House” and discovered some Megolithis Round House ruins.
And that was just a few things….
So you can imagine the amount of images that I have.
Again thanks, and take care my friend.
Kasia-D replied
Wow, sounds like you really had a good trip. Also hired a bike and went to Vatersay. But I didn’t plan nearly enough time for Barra on that tour from Vatersay to Lewis. Already went back to the main Uist chain from Eriskay to Berneray and hope to go back to Barra another time. Really would have loved to hear you at the Ceílidh! When I’m in Edinburgh I go to Sandy Bell’s bar where there is a Monday evening harmonica “jam session” where I’m sure you’d also be welcome!
Larry Davis
I think I need to clean my keyboard…??
Sorry about all the typo’s…....
Kasia-D replied
Larry, don’t worry – I understood everything!!
Caterpillar
Fabulous shot!!
Kasia-D replied
Kasia, thank you so much for joining me on my travels!
kalaryder
Fabulous shot
Kasia-D replied
Thank you! It was a fabulous plane trip.
Ranald
wonderful.
Kasia-D replied
Ranald, thank you here too!
Stuart Fellowes
Very nice castle that I was unaware of. This will make a good subject for one of my production models and will be done after I have finished Hermitage, Bothwell and Castle Stalker this winter. Thanks for the inspiration. The reflection of sunlight on the water really gives texture to this picture.
Kasia-D replied
Stuart, thank you for the lovely comment and YS. Nice to hear I could bring this interesting wee castle to your attention and even inspire you:-) I have a couple more shots taken from the shore but I’m sure you’ll a lot on the internet. If you do go to Barra you have to fly there and land on the beach – an amazing experience!
BaZZuKa
Great capture …. :))
Kasia-D replied
Thank you very much. Honoured you like this.
Silvia Ganora
Makes me want to visit! Fantastic image and spot!
Kasia-D replied
Silvia, thank you very much! If you ever get the chance to visit the Outer Hebrides you must fly to Barra and then island hop northwards. And let me know beforehand so I can give you some tips:-)
Lorena Maria
wow!!!.. what a gorgeous capture!!!!
Kasia-D replied
Wow, thank you very much Lorena Maria! I’m very pleased you visited and liked this shot so much!
John Kowalski
Fabulous aerial photography Kasia …. lovely detail and clarity, excellent capture!!
Kasia-D replied
John, thank you for the compliment – I’m a fan of your Apostles from Above:-)
rodeorose
AMAZING dear Kasia! The LARGE format is superb- great light bouncing off the edges and the waves- glorious tones!
Kasia-D replied
Rose, THANK YOU! I’m really thrilled you took the time to enlarge and enjoy those highlights.
ratscat
what a stunner!
def one for a FEATURE in Highlands and Island Photographers – congrats!
Kasia-D replied
Rach, thank you so much! It was a great view and I was so lucky to manage to capture this as the piloted banked to fly round the island and land. I’m really proud to have this featured in the HIP group:-)
Derek Dobbie
awesome shot.
Kasia-D replied
Derek, thank you very much:-)
Erhan OZBIYIK
Beautiful shot Kasia :)
Great Hugs :)
Kasia-D replied
Erhan, thank you here too – for the hugs and the comment:-)
Steven Sandner
Incredible colors! earthly!
Kasia-D replied
Thank you. The colours in the Hebrides are really strong, I sometimes even desaturate them. Pleased you like this one too.
BaZZuKa
Kasia-D replied
Wow, Bazzuka. What a great honour for my first shot in this new group to be featured. You know how much I appreciate this kind of photography! Wishing you success with the group!! Obrigado Kasia
Mike Edwards
Great photograph, what an amazing feat to build a castle on that small lump of rock in the sea, someone liked their privacy.
Kasia-D replied
Mike, thanks! It is very near the shore but nevertheless completely surrounded by water – privacy and safety both important I suppose!