Editing Barra (section)

== Economy ==
Tourism provides the main income for the majority of islanders; the high season lasts from May to September. Thousands of people visit the island every year, the busiest times being during {{lang|gd|Fèis Bharraigh}} & BarraFest in July. The {{lang|gd|Dualchas}} Heritage and Cultural Centre is located in Castlebay, next to [[Castlebay Community School]]. It has various exhibitions each year and is open throughout the year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barraheritage.com/dualchas.htm |title=Dualchas |publisher={{lang|gd|Comunn Eachdraidh Bharraidh agus Bhatarsaidh}} |access-date=29 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705011933/http://www.barraheritage.com/dualchas.htm |archive-date=5 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In April 2020, [[Condé Nast Traveller]] summed up Barra as "a delightful little island with its own castle and beach airport" and recommended visiting the "high cliffs in the east and lovely beaches and bays in the west".<ref>[https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/islands-scotland THE 20 MOST BEAUTIFUL ISLANDS TO VISIT IN SCOTLAND]</ref>

The Outer Hebrides Web site particularly recommended visits to sites "the iconic Kisimul Castle at Castlebay" and stopping to see the Barra seals at Seal Bay.<ref>[https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/our-islands/barra Our Islands, Barra]</ref> The Explore Scotland tourism Web site also discusses the Barra Golf Club, Kisimul Castle, Barra Heritage and Cultural Centre, Heaval for exceptional views, Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea and Cille Bharra, the ancient graveyard.<ref>[https://www.explore-isle-of-barra.co.uk/what-to-do/ What to do]</ref>

According to the Scottish Government, "tourism is by far and away the mainstay industry" of the Outer Hebrides, "generating £65m in economic value for the islands, sustaining around 1000 jobs" The report adds that the "islands receive 219,000 visitors per year".<ref>[https://www.scotland.org/live-in-scotland/where-to-live-in-scotland/the-outer-hebrides The Outer Hebrides]</ref> The Outer Hebrides tourism bureau states that 10–15% of economic activity on the islands was made up of tourism in 2017. The agency states that the "exact split between islands is not possible" when calculating the number of visits, but "the approximate split is Lewis (45%), Uist (25%), Harris (20%), Barra (10%)".<ref>[https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/industry/tourism-in-the-outer-hebrides Tourism in the Outer Hebrides]</ref>

Castlebay is the primary base for tourists, with a few hotels, a supermarket, bank and  petrol station. Explore Scotland stated in 2020 that the island was "also an ideal starting point for visiting and exploring the Uists and Benbecula".<ref>[https://www.explore-isle-of-barra.co.uk/ Welcome to the Isle of Barra]</ref>

In 2010, camping on the machair at the airport was banned due to erosion; this prompted crofters to provide areas on their crofts for visiting tourists.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.explore-isle-of-barra.co.uk/accommodation/camping-and-motor-homes/ |title=Camping and Motor Homes |date=18 December 2012 |publisher=Explore Scotland }}</ref> Boat trips to the neighbouring island of [[Mingulay]] are available during the summer season, and island-hopping plane trips are also available.

The Barratlantic factory, in [[Northbay]] is a fish and shellfish processing company. As of 2020, its main products were king scallops and langoustines but it was selling most types of white fish from the quayside. Their Web site indicated that the stock included "cod; haddock; skate; witches; megrims; turbot; Dover sole and monkfish which you can buy direct from the factory".<ref>[https://www.barratlantic.co.uk/index.php/about-us About Us]</ref> The Hebridean Toffee Factory in Castlebay is one of the few manufacturers on Barra and it makes the products locally. According to Visit Scotland, the toffee can be ordered from anywhere in the world; "it is made to order and is usually shipped within 24 hours".<ref>[https://www.visitscotland.com/info/food-drink/hebridean-toffee-p301871 HEBRIDEAN TOFFEE]</ref>

Isle of Barra Distillers was founded by Michael and Katie Morrison in 2016; their Barra Atlantic Gin was first sold in August 2017 and the company has expanded since then.<ref>[https://thegincooperative.com/a-new-chapter-in-scottish-gin-isle-of-barra-distillers/ A New Chapter in Scottish Gin 28 August 2020]</ref><ref>[https://www.visitscotland.com/info/food-drink/isle-of-barra-distillers-p1696081  ISLE OF BARRA DISTILLERS]</ref> As of early 2021, the distillery continued marketing gin, with great success.<ref>[https://foodanddrink.scotsman.com/drink/isle-of-barra-distillers-unveil-new-ada-still-heres-what-that-means-for-their-barra-atlantic-gin/ Isle of Barra Distillers unveil new Ada still – here’s what that means for their Barra Atlantic Gin 9 December 2020]</ref> The plan for whisky was stated on its Web site as: "It is our goal to open the Islands first Single Malt Whisky Distillery within the next 2-3 years".<ref>[https://isleofbarradistillers.com/ 2021]</ref>

The [[Isle of Barra distillery]]<ref>[http://www.uisgebeathananeilean.co.uk/ Isle of Barra Distillery] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> was founded in 2003 as Uisge Beatha nan Eilean Ltd<ref>[https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/SC259535 Uisge Beatha nan Eilean Ltd Companies House] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> and became a Community Benefit Society in 2018<ref>[https://mutuals.fca.org.uk/Search/Society/10476 Mutuals Public Register] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> under the [[Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014]]. In December 2012, four 6&nbsp;kW wind turbines<ref>[https://en.wind-turbine-models.com/turbines/666-kingspan-renewables-kw6 Kingspan Renewables KW6 wind turbine] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> made by Proven (Proven were bought by [[Kingspan Group]] in 2011<ref>[https://www.insider.co.uk/news/kingspan-renewables-buys-troubled-proven-9868424 Kingspan Renewables buys troubled Proven] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref>) were erected<ref>[http://www.uisgebeathananeilean.co.uk/green.html Isle of Barra Distillery wind turbines] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> next to the reservoir Loch Uisge,<ref>[https://www.wildtrout.org/av/loch-uisge-isle-barra Loch Uisge, Isle of Barra] Retrieved 04 Dec 2022.</ref> which originally supplied the mains water to Castlebay. It is proposed that as much as possible of the raw materials, supply chain and labor to produce the whisky should remain as local as possible to minimise imports and maximise the benefit to the island's economy.