Caribbean vibes in Vatersay

Upon arriving on the Isle of Barra, I couldn’t help but smile at puns like “Welcome to Barradise” or “Barrahamas”. What initially sounded like a funny exaggeration soon started to make sense, however. By the time I explored the white sandy beaches of the small Hebridean island, it became clear what was meant. Even more impressive was the neighbouring island of Vatersay, connected to Barra by a causeway. There, a Caribbean vibe was in the air – despite Scottish temperatures.

My first destination was Tràigh a Bhaigh – Gaelic for “East Beach”. Gently, the green hills nestled against the pale sand, whilst the turquoise water lapped quietly along the shore. To capture this mood in my shots, I photographed from a distance. This allowed me to convey the symbiosis of the beach and the surrounding landscape that characterises this peaceful idyll.

Although Tràigh Siar – Gaelic for “West Beach” – sits just a stone’s throw away on the opposite side of the narrow strip of dunes, it has a completely different character. It faces the open Atlantic and therefore feels wilder and more rugged. The atmosphere is energetic and powerful. To capture this feeling in my shots, I photographed directly from the beach, bringing the rolling waves and breaking surf into focus and conveying the energy and movement that define this place.

When shooting on beaches, reaching for an ND filter and working with long exposures is a natural instinct. On Vatersay I made a conscious decision against it, wanting to preserve the natural atmosphere. A polarising filter was all I used to manage reflections on the water and bring out colour and clarity. A graduated filter helped to darken the sky slightly and balance the exposure. Nothing more was needed – the scene itself was truly like “barradise”.