Great Bernera

Great Bernera, often simply called Bernera, is an island of just over 5,000 acres in Loch Ròg, off the north-west coast of Lewis. Around 250 people live here, mainly in the village of Breaclete. Since 1953 it has been linked to Lewis by a bridge, which was the first pre-stressed concrete bridge in Europe.

Landscape

Great Bernera is a rugged island of gneiss, heather, lochs and small crofting townships, surrounded by the sheltered waters and many islands of Loch Ròg. On its north coast is Bosta, a beautiful white sand beach, and from the island there are views across to the Callanish Stones and the hills of Uig. Its coast is dotted with small harbours used by lobster and crab fishermen.

History

The island’s name is Norse, said to honour Bjarnar, father of the Norse chieftain of Lewis, Ketil Flatnose, and most of the local place names are Norse, showing extensive Viking settlement. In 1993 a storm uncovered an Iron Age village at Bosta beach, and a reconstruction of one of its houses now stands nearby. In 1874 Bernera was the scene of the Bernera Riot, when crofters stood up to the estate’s attempts to take their grazing land; their successful court case was an early victory in the struggle for crofters’ rights.

The most common surname on the island is MacDonald, said to descend from a watchman of the Macaulays of Uig who was given the island for his services.

More about Great Bernera

The most common surname on the island is MacDonald, said to descend from a watchman of the Macaulays of Uig who was given the island for his services. From 1962 the island was owned by Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees, a former Queen’s herald who styled himself Prince of Coronata; since his death in 2012 it has belonged to his grandson, and the islanders have been seeking to buy the land themselves.

Visiting

Great Bernera is reached by road across the bridge from Lewis, about 30 miles west of Stornoway. Bosta beach and its Iron Age house are well worth a visit. You can collect Great Bernera as a landing or a sighting in your Island Passport.

Wildlife and area

Loch Ròg is good for Eurasian Otter, Grey Seal and Harbour Seal, and for Red-throated Diver, eider and Black Guillemot. Look out for Golden Eagle and Sea Eagle. Other islands nearby include Little Bernera, Fuaigh Mòr, Vacsay and Ceabhaigh.