Barra-Vatersay causeway

The effects of the Highland Clearances reduced Vatersay's population to a mere 13 inhabitants by 1901. However, immigration from Barra and Mingulay subsequently caused a surge in the population, culminating in a peak of 288 residents by 1911. The population continued to fluctuate, reaching a low of 65 in 1988. Prior to 1989, Vatersay stood as the sole inhabited Hebridean Island without a vehicular ferry or causeway. Other small islands that lacked causeways were served by relatively modern ferries, subsidised by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. A service for Scalpay was operated by Caledonian MacBrayne, which operated ferries to the mainland of Scotland and between other islands. Conversely, the…

The location of the causeway, across a 250-metre-wide gap with a minimum water depth of 11 metres, presented challenging design and construction conditions. The Sound of Vatersay links the Atlantic Ocean on one side with the Sea of the Hebrides on the other, with very strong tidal currents active at all states of the tide. The completion of the causeway formed part of a series of fixed links built between the many islands which make up the Outer Hebrides, including the Eriskay causeway, completed in 2001.