Traigh Mhòr facts for kids
Tràigh Mhòr is a beautiful, wide sandy beach on the island of Barra in Scotland. Its name means 'Big Beach' in English. This amazing white beach is found at the northern end of Barra, stretching between the villages of Ardmhor and Eoligarry. The sand here is very firm and packed down. At the northern tip of the beach, you can find a small island called Orosay, which is connected to the beach at low tide.
Barra Airport: A Beach Runway
Did you know that Tràigh Mhòr is also an airport? In 1933, people were looking for a place to build Barra Airport. A local postmaster, John MacPherson, had a clever idea. He suggested using the beach itself as the runways! The sand was already hard and flat, making it perfect for planes.
This airport is still used today. It is the only airport in the world where the runways are washed by the ocean twice a day! The airport has three different runways. This allows planes to land safely no matter which way the wind is blowing. Large markers help pilots see where the runways are. When a plane is about to land or take off, a windsock flies high. This tells everyone on the beach that the area is closed for safety.
Cockle Picking on the Beach
Tràigh Mhòr is also famous for its shellfish. Many people call it 'The Cockle Strand' because it's a great place to find cockles. Besides cockles, you can also find other shellfish here. These include razorfish and winkles.
People who collect cockles use special rakes. They gently rake the sand to find the hidden shellfish. Many people on Barra collect cockles to sell them. They often sell them to a local company called 'Barratlantic'. This company has a fish factory in a village called Ardveenish on Barra. Most of the shellfish from Tràigh Mhòr and the waters around Barra are sent to other countries in Europe.
