| Scottish Gaelic name | Beàrnaraigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning of name | From Old Norse Bjorn's island |
| Location | |
  Berneray Berneray shown within the Outer Hebrides | |
| OS grid reference | NF912817 |
| Coordinates | 57°43′N 7°11′W / 57.72°N 7.19°W |
| Physical geography | |
| Island group | Uist and Barra |
| Area | 1,010 ha (2,496 acres) |
| Area rank | 50 [1] |
| Highest elevation | Beinn Shleibhe (Moor Hill), 93 m (305 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Council area | Outer Hebrides |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 138[2] |
| Population rank | 41 [1] |
| Population density | 13.6/km2 (35/sq mi)[2][3] |
| Largest settlement | Borve and Rushgarry |
 | |
| References | [3][4][5] |
Berneray (Scottish Gaelic: Beàrnaraigh na Hearadh) is an island and community in the Sound of Harris, Scotland. It is one of fifteen inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. It is famed for its rich and colourful history which has attracted much tourism. It lies within the South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area,[6] one of 40 such areas in Scotland which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.[7]
With an area of 10.1 square kilometres (2,500 acres), Berneray rises to a height of 305 feet (93 m) at Beinn Shlèibhe (Moor Hill) and 278 feet (85 m) at Cnoc Bhuirgh (Borve Hill). It is known for its sandy beaches backed with sand dunes. Tràigh Iar (West Beach), a three-mile stretch of wide, clean and often deserted sand, is widely acclaimed.[8]
There is strong evidence that points to Berneray being inhabited since the Bronze Age, and possibly before. The island is scattered with ancient sacred sites, stone circles, signs of Viking inhabitation and historical buildings, some several centuries old.
Although Berneray is geographically closer to North Uist, it is part of the Bays of Harris Estate and under the Parish of Harris.
- ^ a b Area and population ranks: there are c. 300 islands over 20 ha in extent and 93 permanently inhabited islands were listed in the 2011 census.
- ^ a b National Records of Scotland (15 August 2013). "Appendix 2: Population and households on Scotland's Inhabited Islands" (PDF). Statistical Bulletin: 2011 Census: First Results on Population and Household Estimates for Scotland Release 1C (Part Two) (PDF) (Report). SG/2013/126. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
- ^ a b Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 978-1-84195-454-7.
- ^ Ordnance Survey. OS Maps Online (Map). 1:25,000. Leisure.
- ^ Mac an Tàilleir, Iain (2003) Ainmean-àite/Placenames. (pdf) Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Retrieved 26 August 2012. p. 19
- ^ "South Lewis, Harris & North Uist NSA 1:50,000 map" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "In praise of... Scottish islands". The Guardian. 11 November 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2009.