Life on Barra and Vatersay explored in new documentary as islands buck depopulation trend

From its world-famous beach airport and stunning landscapes to its strong Gaelic identity and vital fishing and crofting industries, life on the Hebridean isles of Barra and Vatersay can be pretty spectacular.

Now new BBC Alba documentary takes a peek behind the curtains of modern life on the islands as they continue to buck the depopulation trend witnessed by others in Scotland.

In the 2022 census, Barra and Vatersay were the only islands in the Western Isles to experience growth with a 3% increase in the resident population. This compares to decreases of up to 7% on some other islands such as Lewis and an average 5% decrease across the Western Isles. This is the second consecutive census showing a growth in Barra and Vatersay’s population.

Na h-Eileanaich (The Islanders) features stories from people who talk of what it is really like to live on the southernmost inhabited islands in the Western Isles. In their own words, the islanders give an insight into island living and, for some, what has drawn them back to the community they grew up in after a period studying and working on the mainland.

The visually stunning documentary shows that these two dynamic islands, with a population of around 1,300 and connected by a 200-metre causeway, as much more than the picture-postcard idyll of turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and pristine golden beaches experienced by the thousands of tourists who visit every year.

Locals give their own perspective on the ups and downs of island life and talk about the freedoms and opportunities open to them but also the challenges that rural life can bring.

The 45-minute documentary portrays the stark realities that come with island living. While weather plays a huge part in everyday life, often dictating the timeline for those on Barra and Vatersay, other issues shape their potential prosperity. The community is not immune to many national issues such as housing stock pressures and the need for investment in critical community infrastructure and services.

One islander telling her story is school teacher and yoga instructor Ishi Maclean. She has made the journey back to Barra having travelled the world. ‘This is my home,’ says Ishi. ‘This is where I was born and raised and where I will always return.

‘There is something special about this place, something that always pulls me back. If I had to choose one word to describe these islands it would be ‘freedom’. The freedom we have to do things and get on with our lives. We have the freedom to pursue outdoor activities that allow you to have a healthy lifestyle.

‘Living in such a remote place does present its challenges as we are on the periphery. Weather is often a difficulty especially when it comes to travel, but when the sun shines all of that is forgotten and we are grateful for what we have.’

Another returner is Iain Beggs who was born and raised on Barra and who left to study and work on the mainland for several years. He now works as a firefighter at Barra’s world famous beach airport.

Iain Beggs. Credit: Stephen Kearney

‘I think things are much better on the jobs front than they were a few years ago as now it’s possible to work from home creating many more opportunities. You can live in Barra and have a good job just like anyone else in the towns and cities.

‘For me, the most important thing about Barra and Vatersay is that we all want to help each other and it’s great that there are places like these islands where that is still the case. I’m now at the stage in my life where I am planning to stay here. I’m here for life and have no plans to leave.’

The regular exodus of young school leavers to the mainland to continue their education is typified by teenager and award winning piper and Gaelic singer Laura MacLeod who is planning to leave Barra for university in the next year or so.

‘Being a teenager in Barra is great because everything is close by. I stay in the island’s main village of Castlebay, and I can meet up with my friends and head to the beach or to the machair for a walk. However there sometimes feels like there is little for us to do like to go to the cinema or head to the shops.

‘It’s sad that we have to leave if we want to continue our education, but it is an opportunity to do something different and experience new things.’

Roddy MacInnes, who owns a modular building company on Barra employing several local people, believes the community spirit has been invaluable in setting up his firm.

‘The big benefit of running this business on these islands is that the community is a big part of it. You know the people you will be employing which has been a real help and when we’ve asked a bit more of them they’ve always been very willing. People around us have helped wherever they could to get the business off the ground and that’s because of the community spirit.

‘Personally, I think the commute to work is much calmer and more enjoyable than when I was living on the mainland. Outwith work, the biggest benefit is for the family as it’s a lot easier to raise our twin boys here and take them to the beach and get out and about.’

Programme producer and director, Stephen Kearney said: ‘This is the story of Barra and Vatersay in 2025 as told by only those who know it best – the islanders themselves.

Stephen Kearney. Credit: Dee Kearney

‘These islands represent a rich and colourful tapestry of culture, tradition, faith, resilience, innovation and entrepreneurship. We are a growing community as a result of a recent mini baby boom and more people moving here or returning home with their young families at an earlier stage in their lives.

‘I want to show what island life is really like and how those living and working on Barra and Vatersay continue to create a vibrant community that has a strong sense of belonging and a deep pride in its history and place in the world.

‘As someone who has these islands in my blood, Na h-Eileanaich has been a real passion project for me. My mother is from Barra, we holidayed here most of my life, and we are now bringing up our young family on these islands as well as running our business from here.’

Na h-Eileanaich will be broadcast on BBC Alba on 5 August 2025 at 9pm.

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