Cille Bhara, Barra, Scotland

 Cille Bhara, Barra, Scotland

This evening, I am posting information on the historic religious site of Cille Bhara on the island of Barra off the West of Scotland. This may translate from Gaelic as ‘Church of St. Barr’s Island’.

Roman Catholicism is the main religion on Barra and represents a direct line of continuity from the original Celtic Church.

The site in its present form may date from around the 12th century albeit with an earlier heritage stretching back to the 7th century, a feature quite common in Scotland.

Features here are:

  • A main church with two chapels on the east side.
  • One of the chapels, St. Mary’s has been re-roofed and now houses some late medieval carved tombstones and a copy of a runic stone.
  • Base of altar in east end of the main church.

A very historic site which should be included in tours of the Outer Hebrides.

Cille Bhara, Barra, Outer Hebrides

 

 Cille Bhara, Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Cille Bhara, Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland

More information for the visitor

For more information on Scottish islands refer Visitors Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.

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