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Camping in Vatersay

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Upon first glimpse of the wide sandy beaches and turquoise waters of Vatersay, you might imagine yourself on a far-flung tropical island rather than Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. As the archipelago’s southernmost inhabited island, Vatersay is the starting point for the 156-mile (250-kilometre) Hebridean Way walking and cycling route and is also a popular place for kayaking and windsurfing. Summer is the best time to visit Vatersay and offers a more tranquil experience than that of the more-visited Barra, to which it’s connected by a causeway. While there are no organized campsites on the island, wild camping is possible, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Top-rated campgrounds near Vatersay

Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin

1. Sanday Cabin

1 unit · Glamping · Sandy, Scotland
The Sanday Cabin is an open plan space with a lovely French style double bed (separate toilet / shower room) that sits at the top of a croft on the Isle of Sanday, right next door to Canna. The cabin has views out over the bay of Canna harbour to the Cuillins of Skye and across to the Isle of Rum. You can even see the famous Sanday Puffin Stacks from the cabin and take a stroll along the Puffin Trail. The cabin has its own decking area and a wooden fenced garden area - so you can enjoy looking at cows without them getting too close! Fully equipped kitchen, all linen towels provided and luggage transport provided.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£135
 / night

Upon first glimpse of the wide sandy beaches and turquoise waters of Vatersay, you might imagine yourself on a far-flung tropical island rather than Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. As the archipelago’s southernmost inhabited island, Vatersay is the starting point for the 156-mile (250-kilometre) Hebridean Way walking and cycling route and is also a popular place for kayaking and windsurfing. Summer is the best time to visit Vatersay and offers a more tranquil experience than that of the more-visited Barra, to which it’s connected by a causeway. While there are no organized campsites on the island, wild camping is possible, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Top-rated campgrounds near Vatersay

Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin
  • Sanday Cabin

1. Sanday Cabin

1 unit · Glamping · Sandy, Scotland
The Sanday Cabin is an open plan space with a lovely French style double bed (separate toilet / shower room) that sits at the top of a croft on the Isle of Sanday, right next door to Canna. The cabin has views out over the bay of Canna harbour to the Cuillins of Skye and across to the Isle of Rum. You can even see the famous Sanday Puffin Stacks from the cabin and take a stroll along the Puffin Trail. The cabin has its own decking area and a wooden fenced garden area - so you can enjoy looking at cows without them getting too close! Fully equipped kitchen, all linen towels provided and luggage transport provided.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£135
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Vatersay guide

Where to go

Traigh a Bhaigh

A thin strip of land separates two beaches at Vatersay’s narrowest point. On the eastern side of the island, the sand dune-surrounded Traigh a Bhaigh (“Eastern Beach”) is a beautiful half-mile-long stretch of white sand. Behind the beach you’ll find a community hall with a 24-hour toilet and shower block, making it a good spot for wild camping.

Traigh Shiar

On the other side, over the machair, Traigh Shiar (“Western Beach”) is home to a monument to the Annie Jane maritime disaster of 1853. The sheltered surf of this beach is popular with wind- and kite-surfers.

Bagh a Deas

At the southernmost tip of Vatersay, Bagh a Deas (“South Bay”) has excellent views to the uninhabited island of Sandray. Adventurous kayakers can depart from here and paddle their way to Sandray and other other offshore islands.

Mingulay

From Castlebay on Barra, which is just over the causeway from Vatersay, you can depart on a boat tour that will take you to the uninhabited islands of Sandray, Pabbay, Mingulay and Berneray. These islands are home to exceptional natural and cultural heritage including large colonies of seabirds including razorbill, gannet, guillemot, and puffin. 

Top regions near Vatersay

West Coast of Scotland
Ben Nevis
Ardnamurchan

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