Barra by Train and Ferry
Barra is a train and ferry journey from the mainland: the train to Oban, then a 5hr 35min crossing to Castlebay. The terminal is a short walk from the platform.
Heabhal, 384m, is the highest of Barra's 7 listed hills.
Photo: Nessy-Pic, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Barra by train
The train takes you to the ferry port, and the ferry carries foot passengers, so you can walk on with a rucksack and no car.
Train and CalMac ferry
Train to Oban, 5hr 35min ferry to Castlebay
The ferry terminal is a short walk from the platform. Oban station
Walking distances are estimates from the straight-line distance and the type of ground, not a measured route. Check a map before you set off.
Train times to Oban from Glasgow, Edinburgh and more
The quickest train from each city to the ferry port. Then add the crossing: 5hr 35min from Oban.
| From | To Oban |
|---|---|
| Glasgow | 3hr 10min |
| Stirling | 3hr 51min |
| Edinburgh | 4hr 15min |
| Lancaster | 5hr 35min |
| Newcastle | 5hr 55min |
| Durham | 6hr 12min |
Hills you can walk to from the ferry
5 listed hills lie within 3 miles of the Castlebay terminal as the crow flies, so you can start walking straight off the ferry.
- Heabhal384m · 1.1 mi (about 1.5 mi on foot)
- Beinn Tangabhal332m · 1.7 mi (about 2 to 2.5 mi on foot)
- Grianan295m · 2.3 mi (about 3 to 3.5 mi on foot)
- Beinn Mhartainn244m · 2.4 mi (about 3 to 3.5 mi on foot)
- Heiseabhal Mor190m · 2.6 mi (about 3.5 to 4 mi on foot)
Hills on Barra
Barra has 7 listed hills, including 4 Marilyns. Heabhal is the highest at 384m.
Marilyns on Barra
- Heabhal384m
- Beinn Tangabhal332m
- Beinn Chliad206m
- Heiseabhal Mor190m
Protected places on Barra
None of Scotland's National Scenic Areas, Wild Land Areas, National Nature Reserves or Special Areas of Conservation lies mostly on Barra.
Can you visit Barra without a car?
Yes. The ferries carry foot passengers, so you can arrive with a rucksack and no car. 5 listed hills start within 3 miles of the terminal. We don't list island buses, so for anywhere further from the ferry, check local transport before you travel.
More Scottish islands by train and ferry
- Isle of SkyeTrain to Mallaig, 30min ferry to Armadale
- Isle of MullTrain to Oban, 50min to 1hr ferry to Craignure
- Isle of ArranTrain to Ardrossan Harbour, 55min ferry to Brodick
- Isle of ButeTrain to Wemyss Bay, 35min ferry to Rothesay
- South UistTrain to Mallaig, 3hr 30min ferry to Lochboisdale
- The Small IslesTrain to Mallaig, ferry to Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna
- Coll and TireeTrain to Oban, ferry to Coll and Tiree
- OrkneyTrain to Aberdeen, 6hr ferry to Kirkwall
- ShetlandTrain to Aberdeen, 12hr 30min ferry to Lerwick
Also by train and ferry: English, Welsh and Manx islands.