Barra's airport on the beach – in pictures

The transport provides a vital lifeline for an energetic but remote community Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

A Flybe plane comes in for landing. The beach was first licensed as a runway in 1936 Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Regular Flybe flights operated by Loganair fly De Havilland Twin Otters to Glasgow and Benbecula Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

A Flybe flight lands on the beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

The control tower at Barra airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

The runway controller at work on the beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

10,000 passengers annually fly on and off the cockleshell beach Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Passengers disembark on the beach at Barra Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Baggage reclaim at Barra airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Castlebay, the main village on the isle of Barra. Barra is only eight miles long by five wide Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Homes in Castlebay, the main village on the isle of Barra Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

A sign warns people that the beach is also an airport Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian

Traigh Mhor beach on the isle of Barra when it's not a runway Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Guardian