Bernera, Inverness-shire

Historical Description

BERNERA, an island, in the parish of Barra, county of Inverness; containing 30 inhabitants. It is one of the Hebrides, and the most southern of the whole range of these islands. Bernera is about one mile in length, and three-quarters of a mile in breadth. From its being also called the Bishop's Isle, it seems to have belonged to the Bishop of the Isles; and it is said to have previously been a sanctuary of the Druids. The soil is fertile, and in the centre is a fresh-water lake, diversified with small islets; towards the south the rocks are rugged and precipitous, and on this side is a point of land called Barra Head.