A unique experience
4
4
Date of visit: July 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
Barra Airport offers a pretty unique visitor attraction, featuring regular scheduled Loganair flights with beach landings and take-offs. In fact, it is the only airport in the world with scheduled beach landings! When we went along, we sat with a coffee looking out to the beach and watched as staff did donuts in a truck, marking a bullseye for the pilot to see from above. The landing was as impressive as the later take-off. Barra Airport is by far the smallest airport I have ever been to, but it has much of what you would expect, just not duty free. It is not that kind of airport.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
For such a small airport, I was very impressed with the accessibility, though there are a few things I would like to see changed, particularly the area with the picnic benches outside. I managed to get up the grassy hill because I have a power attachment, but I would not have been able to ascend it otherwise. It would be nice to see a ramp there. Speaking of ramps, there is a ramp with several landings and handrails at the entrance near the car park, as well as four steps with handrails on either side and tactile paving at the top and bottom. Entry to the airport is via a touchpad-activated door, which was pinned open during my visit. To the left is a café with plenty of seating and a decent selection of food and drink. We ordered here and sat outside. To the right, you will find a waiting area and the check-in desk, which has a lowered counter. Directly opposite the waiting area is a quiet room. I found the door quite heavy, but inside there are comfortable seats and power sockets for charging devices and, I expect, mobility aids. As we were not flying, I was not able to get much further. I spoke to a member of staff who explained that the plane can be accessed using a stair climber and that there is a buggy to take passengers to and from the aircraft if needed. I did not spot a hearing loop or any information in alternative formats. For such a small airport, I was very impressed with the accessibility, though there are a few things I would like to see changed, particularly the area with the picnic benches outside. I managed to get up the grassy hill because I have a power attachment, but I would not have been able to ascend it otherwise. It would be nice to see a ramp there. Speaking of ramps, there is a ramp with several landings and handrails at the entrance near the car park, as well as four steps with handrails on either side and tactile paving at the top and bottom. Entry to the airport is via a touchpad-activated door, which was pinned open during my visit. To the left is a café with plenty of seating and a decent selection of food and drink. We ordered here and sat outside. To the right, you will find a waiting area and the check-in desk. Directly opposite the waiting area is a quiet room. I found the door quite heavy, but inside there are comfortable seats and power sockets for charging devices and, I expect, mobility aids. As we were not flying, I was not able to get much further. I spoke to a member of staff who explained that the plane can be accessed using a stair climber and that there is a buggy to take passengers to and from the aircraft if needed. I did not spot a hearing loop or any information in alternative formats.Audible announcements are made in the waiting area.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals, Step-free access to most areas
Parking & Transport
Average
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
As we weren't flying, we parked at a visitor airport just beyond the airport car park, we were also driving a van, so that was ideal for us. There are no marked bays here but there are two accessible parking spaces at the airport itself. These were confusingly marked, being formerly used as staff parking, but painted over for accessible parking. There are hatched markings on either side. There are two EV bays as well, with hatched markings between the two bays. There is a rail in front of the machine which may make it challenging for those with mobility aids to charge their cars. Car parking is free at the airport.
Accessible facilities: Electric Vehicle Charging, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Good
The toilet is clean and spacious, always a winner! Located near the waiting area, it does not require a RADAR key and the door opens outwards. It is secured from the inside by twisting a lever. The toilet pan is in the right-hand corner as you enter and has space for a left-side transfer. The transfer space was not obstructed. The toilet has contrasting grey grab rails on either side and a contrasting toilet seat. The flush is on the right near the wall. It would be better placed on the side of the transfer space. The red emergency cord is on the left when seated and was hanging to the floor. The sink has a small basin and a lever-style tap. The soap dispenser is above it and there are contrasting grab rails on either side. There is no mirror. A baby changing table is installed on the right-hand wall and a Dyson hand dryer and paper towels are on the left-hand wall.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
Staff
Excellent
The staff were lovely. They were happy to answer any accessibility questions I had and were more than happy for me to take photos for this review.
Additional Information
Check the flight times before visiting and make sure you arrive in plenty of time, as it can get busy.
