Plan your visit

What to expect from your visit

Access to Kisimul Castle is through one of our "hard hat" guided tours only.

Tours begin with a short boat trip across the bay followed by the opportunity to see inside the castle. Our expert guides will share the history of Kisimul, as well as insights into the ongoing conservation (some areas of the castle may not be accessible while this work continues).

Tickets must be booked online in advance and are not available to purchase on the day.

Guided tour information

Meet at the Historic Scotland jetty, opposite the Post Office in Castlebay. Please arrive 15 minutes before departure.

Tours last an hour and are suitable for visitors aged 7 and over. All visitors will be provided with a hard hat and life jacket. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended.

Find out when tours are available

Ticket prices

Tickets must be booked in advance. They can be purchased until midnight the day before your visit. If a date is unavailable, either no tour is scheduled or tickets are sold out.

Type	Price
Members	FREE
Adult	£10.00
Concession	£8.00
Child (7 - 15 years)	£6.00

More ticket types including family, Explorer Pass and partner organisation tickets are available.

Book tickets

How to get here

Kisimul Castle is on a small islet in Castlebay, just off the Isle of Barra – a 5-minute crossing in a small boat from Castle Slip Landing, Castlebay.

View Kisimul Castle on Google Maps

Journey Planners

Search for National Cycle Network routes with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust

Plan your journey by public transport using Traveline Scotland

Address

Castlebay
Isle of Barra
HS9 5UZ

National Grid reference:

NL 665 979

Accessibility

Carers' tickets

Visitors with disabilities are charged standard admission rates (adult/concession/child). Proof of disability is not required. Up to two accompanying carers receive free entry per transaction.

Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.

Parking

On-street parking is available near the jetty.

Approach to site

A small boat ferries visitors to the island. Visitors must be able to step into and out of the boat.

The mainland jetty has no steps but is steeply sloped. There are 8 stone steps from the island jetty up into the castle courtyard. The shop is within the castle, across the uneven courtyard from the steps to the jetty.

Monument

All the buildings are reached from the castle courtyard via uneven steps. The routes around the site are mostly gravel.

The tower and walkway are reached by two flights of stone and timber stairs. Inside the tower, a set of steep timber steps leads to the first floor, and a set of stone steps to the second floor.

The castle has several very low doors.