known southernmost outer scotland forms isles archipelago originally referred southernmost common entire island highest point island numerous prehistoric structures island permanent occupation individuals occurred historic period peaking 19th century economy residents based agriculture fishing cliffs provide nesting sites designated head lighthouse built operated inhabited lighthouse keepers wives lighthouse automated island completely rough seas surround island test prototype etymology modern straightforward meaning island case island names number additional complications fuller names meaning head bishop respectively refers southernmost island reference bishop isles alternative isles archipelago member english language alternative island geography geology lies west sea south strong tidal stream wedge shaped island kilometres long kilometres wide topography lacks variety valley bays streams small island consists lighthouse constructed rock small granite quarry west continuation platform depth metres sea floor largely devoid sand evidence rocky platform extends south kilometres glacial action sea channel east significantly deeper open ocean west reaching metres rocky north coast small landing place west small east track leads westward upward slope island lighthouse west land relatively flat low lying area known ending little islands south coast dominated high cliffs rise metres point south west southern prominence located mid way south coast highest point island summit lies high cliffs easily reached track leads lighthouse passes north summit metres cliff edge guards coast far lighthouse located near prominence east point narrow monster visiting wrote sight experienced look lighthouse stormy day oneself hanging ocean surrounded sides fearful air crowded birds produce appearance heavy whilst cries ocean tremendous gusts wind coming forced blast pipe impossible hear person speak history inhabited prehistoric times identified eighty archaeological sites island majority pre medieval date tombs sites assumed burial suggesting significant settlement fort broken fort lies north west second site nearby dating largely destroyed construction lighthouse visiting late 17th century writer described having round walls divided little apartments century later wrote believed served watch tower presumed site chapel near point east landing place cross tentatively dated sixth ninth centuries found archaeological evidence norse presence boat shaped stone settings found far chapel graves period occupation referring time martin suggested life difficult islands extent cultivation fishing natives fishing steward island seeing plenty fish occasion raise 18th century population settlement concentrated north east coast census recorded population rising declining houses 19th century permanently resident population remained stable families number fell native leaving point families lighthouse keepers residents island light overview population trends notes population includes permanent residents recorded population includes lighthouse keepers given taken april temporarily resident fishermen traditional economy culture 19th century agriculture based crops potatoes livestock including sheep cattle kept use transport materials lighthouse goats recorded lacks brought considerable effort harvest seas remained important island base exploiting rich stocks white fish fishermen local islands important economy supplying food feathers sale abundance single caught birds hours visiting professor natural history wrote reaching landed soon found cleared reception wild eggs bread butter house came home eggs rocks birds caught travel writer arrived aboard receiving outrageous welcome despite fact speaking locals lame sentences english wrote hosts dressed healthy looking delicious cream large clean wooden protestant island purchased bible paying purchases dried fish bird concluded island far atlantic exposed fury generally inaccessible population advantages religious supplied annual visit priest interesting people education considerable sacrifices obtain island children described scholars home later attended school created sub school children attendance closed years operation lighthouse identifies southern entrance roughly halfway foot stone tower stands west island steep cliff making light feet sea level range miles shallow water west break blow atlantic storms small fish thrown grass cliff sir recorded movement long tons block feet ground violent storm designed built light exhibited october oil burning light converted lighthouse converted automatic operation october keepers withdrawn dangerous landing conditions lighthouse classified rock station early 20th century small boats lost enormous swell landing place regulations associated change prevented alongside landings lighthouse men keeping onshore departure families meant end regular links sea regular mist fog rendered signalling unreliable system wireless communications proposed installed pier built late 1930s approach war sophisticated radar system installed guard western approaches involved landing hundreds steel drums containing steel cables create large radar masts robust scots erected crane ashore small walled cemetery constructed halfway lighthouse summit keepers contains grave visiting inspector number keepers children bomber crashed cliffs nearby world war wreck discovered years later rock early 1970s research project sponsored prototype safety boat assisted developing atlantic class boat atlantic modified long range operations offshore capability project involved multi organisation operation included featured series stamps class stamp shows metres class action kilometres south west metres swell kilometres hour wind natural history scotland purchased island local syndicate called head isles company owned island able acquire miss provide area natural beauty memory parents courage late brother bernard removed sheep island citing difficulties maintaining flock remote location form important breeding site thousand pairs especially important islands having breeding population species present include variety island largely covered maritime grassland heath yellow flag iris grow grey seals regularly seen landing cove island designated notable residents island best known resident aka giant measured tall aged seventeen joined travelling disliked publicity returned islands run dairy summer spend winters home
Barra Head