Bernera Barracks

Bernera Barracks is a stone military installation in Glenelg Bay consisting of two three-story blocks arranged around a central courtyard with walls and guard houses. The ruins sit at a strategic location overlooking the crossing point to the Isle of Skye.

Built between 1717 and 1723, this barracks was established to maintain control in the Scottish Highlands following the Jacobite Rising of 1715. It housed approximately 240 soldiers deployed to this strategic location.

The construction used stones taken from nearby Iron Age brochs called Dun Telve and Dun Troddan, linking ancient and modern military structures together. This reuse of older materials connects different historical periods in one location.

You can reach the site by walking a track from Glenelg village, with the path clearly leading to the ruins. The best views of the structure come from the exterior since much of the original wall remains visible.

The western curtain wall still stands at its original height, while the missing eastern wall opens up an unobstructed view into the former courtyard. This asymmetry offers visitors an unusual glimpse into how the interior was laid out.

Location: Highland

Location: Glenelg

Inception: 1717

GPS coordinates: 57.21621,-5.62004

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:42