We are a Community Company designed to develop the economic, social and cultural sustainability of our community by harnessing and promoting the quality of our resources, people and enviroment, for the long term benefit of all members of our present and future community.
Since inception, the company has been effective at attracting inward investment to the islands, and in highlighting issues of importance for the local community.
Coimhearsnachd Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh (Barra and Vatersay Community) Ltd is a community owned company whose aim is to support community development on Barra and Vatersay. The company is managed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from the Company membership. The membership of the company stands at 275 presently, and is open to any residents of Barra and Vatersay who are on the voting register. The company was established in 2005 to give Barra and Vatersay’s access to the Iomairt aig an Oir/Initiative at the Edge Programme in early 2005, and in Autumn 2007 Barra and Vatersay hosted a very successful Iomairt aig an Oir annual conference
Barra and Vatersay are the most southerly inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides with a population of around 1250 people. The islands are famed for the warmth of their welcome and for their outstanding natural beauty. Both, islands have long shell sand beaches and areas of machair land, uniquely rich in flowers, insects and birds.
While Barra and Vatersay have large crofting communities, the main indutries are fisheries and tourism. That said, there is significant employment in service provision (Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, NHS etc), and in the construction trades. There are also a significant proportion of the population working offshore and in the Merchant Navy.
Barra is 8 miles long by up to 5 miles across. Much of the island can be circumnavigated by road, which, for the most part, follows the coastline. Hence the distance fron North to South when travelled by road is considerably longer than the length of the island. While the main village on Barra is Castlebay there are several outlying villages around the island, the largest of which is Northbay.
Barra’s main means of access are via ferries at Castlebay and Ardmhor, and via the beach airport at Traigh Mhor. Caledonian Macbrayne operate the ferry services, and Loganair the air service.
Vatersay is approximetely 3 miles long and 3 miles wide. The island is often described as being shaped like a letter H lying on its side, narrowest part being only a few hundred meters of land which sepearate the two beaches of Bagh Bhatarsaidh and Bagh Iar, the East and West bay.
The island was connected to Barra by a causeway in 1991. Since the causeway was completed Vatersay’s population, which had been in serious decline, has now recovered to approximately 110 people.