WWS

Scotland · United Kingdom

Isle of Barra / Traigh Mor, Scotland (UK)

19.8kts

SSE · Windsaison

Flat water when tide aligns, but Barra demands respect—cold Atlantic, dramatic tidal swings, and near-300 windy days a year mean you need local knowledge and self-sufficiency.

BeginnerIntermediateFreerideFoil
19.8kts
Durchschnittswind
297
Windtage / Jahr
15:00–18:00
Beste Windzeit
SSE
Hauptwindrichtung

Lage

Nächste Flughäfen
Airport - Glasgow International
Koordinaten
57.0263, -7.4444
Karte öffnen

Monatliches Windprofil (Peak-Fenster)

24
Jan
24
Feb
23
Mär
20
Apr
17
Mai
20
Jun
17
Jul
23
Aug
22
Sep
25
Okt
24
Nov
28
Dez

Jan

90%

fahrbar

24.1 kts

Feb

95%

fahrbar

24.1 kts

Mär

85%

fahrbar

22.6 kts

Apr

77%

fahrbar

20.4 kts

Mai

60%

fahrbar

16.9 kts

Jun

90%

fahrbar

19.9 kts

Jul

71%

fahrbar

17.2 kts

Aug

79%

fahrbar

23.1 kts

Sep

80%

fahrbar

22.3 kts

Okt

82%

fahrbar

25.1 kts

Nov

88%

fahrbar

23.5 kts

Dez

79%

fahrbar

28 kts

Beste Windrichtungen

  • SSE
  • S
  • SW
  • WSW
  • SSW

Wasserbedingungen

  • Ocean
  • Flat Water

Beste Monate

Jan
Feb
Mär
Apr
Mai
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Okt
Nov
Dez

Gefahren

  • Strong tidal currents and fast-moving water around Barra, requiring constant awareness and good swimming ability
  • Shallow sandbanks that shift seasonally, necessitating local knowledge to navigate safely
  • Cold Atlantic water temperatures year-round with risk of hypothermia if separated from board
  • Occasional rocks and debris in nearshore areas, especially after storms

Was das für dich heißt

  • Material tragen — nicht über Steine ziehen
  • Starke Strömung — upwind zurücklaufen, nicht abtreiben lassen
  • Nicht in markierten Badezonen fahren
  • Im Stehbereich auf Finnen und Leinen achten

Ausstattung

  • Basic accommodation and food options in Castlebay village, 15-20 minutes away
  • Limited on-beach facilities; bring all necessary equipment and supplies
  • Local shop for emergency supplies but no dedicated kitesurfing retailers

Lokale Tipps

Check tide tables before sessions as Traigh Mor's flat water characteristics change dramatically with tidal movement; launch at mid to high tide for best conditions. Weather can shift rapidly on this exposed Scottish island, so monitor forecasts closely and have an exit plan.

Einstieg & Strand

Traigh Mor beach offers excellent flat water launching with consistent sandy access. SSE to SW winds are most favorable; approach from the southern end of the beach to avoid rocks and maximize water space for your session.

Lokale Regeln

This is a remote, quiet spot with minimal crowds—respect any local fishing activity and avoid launching during peak tourist seasons. Keep sessions organized and stay aware of other water users, including occasional ferry traffic in wider bay areas.

Was anziehen

A 5/4mm winter wetsuit is essential November-April; upgrade to 6/5mm in January-February. A 4/3mm suffices May-September, but water never exceeds 14°C, so thermal protection is always necessary.

Was einpacken

Kite-Größen

  • 11–14 mtypische Sessions, 14–22 kn
  • 8–10 mstarke Tage, 20–28 kn

Boards

  • Twintip — universell, gehört ins Gepäck

Was anziehen (nach Klima)

Im Wasser
4/3-mm-Neoprenanzug mit Schuhen.
An Land
Isolierte Jacke und Mütze — im Zwiebelprinzip.

Abgeleitet aus dem Breitengrad des Spots (kühl-gemäßigte Zone) und der aktuellen Saison.

Vorfahrt & Verhalten

  1. 1Wer ins Wasser startet, hat Vorrang vor Ridern, die reinkommen.
  2. 2Der Luv-Rider weicht aus — Kite hoch halten, wenn du über einem tiefen Rider passierst.
  3. 3Steuerbordbug (rechte Hand vorn) hat Vorfahrt beim Kreuzen.
  4. 4Wer überholt, hält sich aus der Linie des langsameren Riders.
  5. 5Wellenreiten: Der Rider in der Welle hat sie — kein Drop-in.

Spot-Guide

Wind & Conditions

19.8 knots average, best from SSE to SW. Winter months are genuinely windy but properly cold. Atlantic fronts can swing conditions hard in an hour—casual forecasting won't cut it here.

The Water

Traigh Mor flattens mid to high tide. Launch outside that window and you're navigating sandbanks that shift; low tide is a non-starter without local guidance. Water stays cold year-round. Tidal currents around Barra run strong—they push you consistently and don't care about your intentions. Hypothermia is real if you lose the board. You need solid swimming ability and constant awareness of drift.

Who It's Actually For

The "beginner" tag means flat-water launch mechanics. It doesn't mean beginner conditions. You need prior experience with serious tidal flow and Atlantic exposure. There's no shop, no rentals, no crew to bail you out. Castlebay village has food and a bed. After that, you're self-sufficient—gear, supplies, exit plan, all on you.

Launch Zone Hazards

Rocks and debris collect nearshore after storms. Scan the launch zone every session. Northern end of the beach has rocks; stay south. Tide windows are narrow. Miss them and you're dealing with either banks or heavy current.

The Reality

Empty beach most days. Local walkers, no other kiters. If something breaks or goes wrong, you solve it. 15–20 minutes to town if you need help. Barra works for kiters who want isolation and can read conditions, tides, and water movement independently.