Berneray and nearby uninhabited Pabbay lie in the Sound of Harris between North Uist and Harris. Although a number of the islands in the Sound of Harris were once populated, Berneray is now the only one left apart from nearby Boreray with its single resident. It shouldn't be confused with the other Berneray: the most southerly island in the chain of the Western Isles, complete with another Pabbay lying close to it.

Throughout the 1900s the population steadily fell, from 524 in 1901 to 134 by 1981. It had recovered marginally to 141 by 1991 and stood at 136 in 2001 and 138 in 2011.

Today's Berneray is looking optimistically to the future like never before. On Thursday 8 April 1999, Prince Charles returned to Berneray to open the 900m causeway linking the island to North Uist.

Once mistaken for an exotic Thai resort, Berneray’s beautiful beaches offer a great backdrop for a day out. Traigh Beasdaire east beach with its wonderful white sand offers fantastic photographic opportunities.