BHEARNARAIGH

Berneray Hostel

National Grid Ref: NF932814 (OS Sheet No. 18 ) 20 Beds (in three large rooms) Open All Year Shop & Post Office on the island. Call box in shelter on jetty at harbour. The warden calls regularly at the hostel.
Berneray is a small friendly community. It is possible to walk around the island in a day. There are magnificent beaches adjacent to the hostel and on the west side of the island. The northern coast is rocky and affords a superb panorama of Harris, with flocks of Gannets plying back and forth to St Kilda, many diving for fish. Seals are common and otters can be seen. Berneray Week is the third week of July. Click here for a larger photo (100 Kb)
Click here for more information on the local area.
How to find Berneray Hostel Follow the road right round Bays Loch, past the shop and on until the metalled road takes a sharp turn left. By now you will be looking out over the Sound of Harris. Keep on towards the sea shore along the track, past a thatched building on your right (the ancient gunnery of the Macleod). Turn right through a gate. The hostel is the two white walled thatched buildings on the shore. Click here for an enlarged view from
Berneray. An island hostel (though a causeway has recently been built) in use and wardened by Alison Gibbs. The hostel is renowned for the peace and tranquility to be found on the island. Yet every year hostellers are invited to join in events during Berneray Week; During that week the peace and tranquility of the island gives way to enthusiasm and energy and a programme of events that belies the small size of the island's population. The hostel's sea-front position is superb but does lead to a constant battle against sea erosion of the dunes between hostel and the beach.
Hostels are run by the Gatliff Hebridean Hostels Trust, a charitable organisation which helps local people run traditional crofts as simple hostels. No advance bookings accepted. Info from SYHA