Bosta Beach

Bosta Beach is a small beach compared to others in the Western Isles, but its white sand, clear waters and spectacular views make it worth the journey.

The beach is also home to one of the Time and Tide Bells placed around the British coastline. Designed by artist Marcus Vergette, it creates a constant musical pattern, played by the movement of the waves and tides. It also serves as a marker for rising sea levels.

Iron Age House

In 1992 a wild storm started to expose the stone walls of a late Iron Age village which had been hidden under sand dunes at Bosta Beach.

The site was excavated and revealed a settlement of houses that dating back to 400 – 800 AD. Although the village was mapped during the excavation, the structures themselves could not be preserved and are now hidden beneath the sand again.

A life-size reconstruction was made of one of the original buildings on more permanent ground, using the same materials and methods used in similar structures at the time.

The Iron Age house is open to visitors throughout the summer months and provides a unique insight into how early settlers lived. More information about the excavations and some of the finds can be seen in the local museum at Breaclete Community Centre. See https://berneramuseum.wixsite.com/website.

In more recent times Bosta was inhabited by people living in traditional Black Houses until lack of fuel forced the village to be abandoned once more in 1875. The remains of these Black Houses are still visible.