An Traigh Mhòr
(The Beach Airport on the Isle of Barra)
Thursday 29 September 2005, 6.45pm, BBC2
When Northern and Scottish Airways at Renfrew Airport, and their Chief Pilot David Barclay began a scheduled airline service to the Isle of Barra in 1936, their first passenger landed on the island with a copy of that day’s “Bulletin” newspaper in his hand. He was met by Northbay Postmaster John Mac Pherson (the Coddy), who had recommended the ‘Tràigh Mhòr’ beach runway to the airline entrepreneurs. “Ach well,” he observed in amazement, “Next the moon”.
An Tràigh Mhòr documents the story of an airport whose runways disappear under the sea twice every day; the people who made it what it is; those who work there for example as firemen, and those who have made use of it in emergency.
It is the only beach airport in the world to handle scheduled airline services. Where else would the flight information team inspect the runways on a tractor, or the fire crew be called on to attend to stranded seals, or to make sure cockle-pickers or cattle haven’t strayed on to the runway. Overlooking the beautiful strand is the one time home of Compton Mackenzie “ Suidheachan”, where he wrote one of his most popular works ‘Whisky Galore’, but a building that also in later years played host to a shell industry that may have marked the beginning of the end for ‘An Tràigh Mhòr’ as an airport runway.
Despite the romantic connotations, this precious airline connection that Barra has with the mainland has been threatened by a Government response to the phasing out of the Twin Otter aircraft – the only aircraft suitable for a beach landing. In March 2003, following a campaign that grew in strength from protest to a petition drawing support from around the world, it was decided that the service would only be allowed to continue – but only until 2006.
Taking part in the programme are the airport staff, former British Airways Senior Pilot Bill Innes, Local Councillor Donald Manford, Hector Mac Neil, John Campbell, Hugh Sinclair, Michael Buchanan and Tilly Mac Millan.
Music for “An Tràigh Mhòr” was specially arranged by well-known traditional musician Maggie Mac Innes, daughter of Barra singer Flora Mac Neil. The programme was directed by Allan Mac Donald whose (MacKinnon) grandparents came from the village of Brevig on the island.
An Tràigh Mhòr was produced for MnE Television, by Morag Stewart and Alasdair MacKinnon and funded by Seirbheis nam Meadhanan Gàidhlig.
For further information:
Morag Stewart: moragstew@mnetelevision.com
