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One storey white building with pointy grey roof.

Barra Island Lifeboat Station

Today's weather

10°C Rain
Min: 9°C Max: 10°C
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RNLI/Stephen Kearney

For nearly 75 years, an all-weather lifeboat has launched from Castlebay on the Outer Hebrides island, often into ‘diabolical’ seas (see 1979). Today the station operates the largest class of lifeboat, a Severn class. There are no launching limitations except in severe south westerly weather when it is difficult to get aboard the lifeboat.

Barra Island Lifeboat Station

Three different classes of lifeboat gather on a calm sea at sunrise.
Barra Island's lifeboats
Find out more about the lifeboat helping our crews to save lives at sea at Barra Island.
Our lifeboat
RNLI flag against a blue sky.
News and media from Barra Island
Read the latest rescue stories, volunteer news and updates from our lifeboat station.
Latest news
Sand art on a beach which says 'Be aware tidal cut off' in large letters.
Local info, forecasts and tides
Find local safety information and get the 5-day forecast and tide times for your area.
Local info
A range of historical lifejackets: one is cork, one kapok and one is foam covered in red material with RNLI printed on it.
Barra Island's history
Take a look back through key events from the history of our lifeboat station in our timeline.
Our history

Visitor information and facilities

Station address

Barra Island Lifeboat Station
Main Street
Castlebay
Isle of Barra
Outer Hebrides
HS9 5XD

Station phone number

01871 810307

Visiting times

11am–4pm Monday - Thursday

Visitor contact phone number

01871 810307

News and media from Barra Island Lifeboat Station

Broughty Ferry all-weather lifeboat
Article Statistics
RNLI volunteers from 45 Scottish stations on call 24/7 this festive period
Read more
Reverend Peter Myres, Peter Sparkes, Chief Executive of the RNLI, Admiral Sir George Zambellas and representatives from the 12 stations that lost crew members in RNLI service during the Second World War
Article Heritage
The RNLI marks Remembrance Day with a special service
Read more
The visitors with RNLI volunteers with the inshore lifeboat James and Helen Mason
Article Sea safety
Fundraising tour visits RNLI Tighnabruaich
Read more
Barra Island RNLI launched to the aid of an injured rock climber
Article Rescue
Barra Island RNLI rescues injured rock climber on Mingulay Island
Read more

Find a volunteer role

Check out our volunteering vacancies