The Homecoming
The check-in at Barra Airport is unlike anything I have ever experienced. So is the runway. Barra is the only airport in the world that has scheduled flights taking off and landing on the beach; Traigh Mór. Flights can be tweaked according to the tides. Today there are three other people flying with the 15-seater aircraft. ‘Do you need my passport?’ I ask. ‘Nah. You’re alright,’ says the check-in agent (who doubles as luggage handler, gate agent, salesperson and general factotum). ‘Duffy, isn’t it?’ And that are all the formalities needed to board. No metal scanner that always goes off due to extensive work to my knees. No faffing around with liquids and technology. Many visitors to the island come to the airport to see the aircraft land and take off. Others are there to see off or welcome family and friends. A little boy cries un-consolingly: ‘Daddy, daddy, come back!’ he screams, reaching out to the airplane taxiing towards the sea. It is our turn. With minimal fuss we ...