Barra's airport on the beach – in pictures Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email Traigh Mhor beach on the isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, is the world's only

beach airport for scheduled flights – providing the tide is out Murdo MacLeod

Mon 5 Sep 2011 01.51 CEST First published on Mon 5 Sep 2011 01.51 CEST

The transport provides a vital lifeline for an energetic but remote community Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A Flybe flight lands on the beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The control tower at Barra airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The runway controller at work on the beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 10,000 passengers annually fly on and off the cockleshell beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Passengers disembark on the beach at Barra Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Baggage reclaim at Barra airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Castlebay, the main village on the isle of Barra. Barra is only eight miles long by five wide Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Homes in Castlebay, the main village on the isle of Barra Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter A sign warns people that the beach is also an airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Traigh Mhor beach on the isle of Barra when it's not a runway Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Topics Scotland Air transport Scotland holidays Highlands holidays Flights