The Road to the Isles

Isle of Muck

Port Mor
Port Mor
The smallest of the Small Isles group and the most fertile, Muck has a population of 35 people (21 adults and 14 children), mainly living round the tiny harbour of Port Mor. It has been owned by the same family - the MacEwens - for over 100 years.

Please also visit www.isleofmuck.com for further details about the Isle of Muck.


Gallanach Bay
Muck welcomes visitors all year round. In the summer, day visits can be made on the Sheerwater from Arisaig on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (and Sundays during June, July & August). Contact Arisaig Marine (tel: 01687 450224)
Alternatively you can travel on the 'Lochnevis' Calmac ferry from
Mallaig on Tuesdays on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For the Lochnevis sailing times, visit the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry web site.
You can visit Muck on a day trip or stay for longer. Please see accommodation details below for information about the Hotel, bed and breakfasts, self-catering holiday cottages, bunkhouse and yurt.

What to do on the island?

Climb Beinn Airein (451 feet) and see the island laid out around you. Below is Camus Mor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Enjoy the superb views across to neighbouring islands and mainland.

Walk and picnic, identify the vast range of sea and land birds and wild flowers, have a barbecue, go fishing or swim from the safe sandy beaches.

Sometimes there are social events, such as ceilidhs, or quiz nights in the Craft Shop. Muck will play host to the Small Isles Games (with a ceilidh in the evening) on 9 August 2008.

The Muck open day is held in June each year and includes farm tours, island walks and other activities. Everybody is welcome to this enjoyable day. Open Day 22 June 2008.

View of Rum
View of Rum from Gallenach

Craft Courses
Whilst enjoying your stay on the beautiful Isle of Muck, why not try your hand at learning a new skill? Make your own rug, woven on a peg loom using fleece from Muck sheep. Or have a morning felt-making. Try your hand at designing your own felt picture or make your own bangle. The above crafts and many more are sold on the Isle of Muck. For more information please ring Libby Barnden on 01687 462363.

crafts crafts crafts

Basketry Courses
We arrange basketry courses during Spring and Autumn. This is usually a weekend course. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about basketry and also relax and enjoy the island. Please contact Jenny MacEwen for further information 01687 460057.

Luing cattle

On the farm, note the hairy Luing cattle and sheep of many breeds and colours, some of whose wool is ideal for hand spinning and is used for the Isle of Muck rugs. You may often see pigs, surrounded by piglets.

ewe and lamb

Prominent also are the Highland ponies, with four brood mares and the impressive stallion, Strathmashie Seumas Mhor (Seumas). Young stock are available for sale, for further information contact Mary MacEwen, 01687 462365. In 2000, one of the brood mares, Eilidh made her claim to fame when she crossed the Minch to join the "Castaways" on Taransay.

Highland ponies

Community Wind Power Scheme
Muck has no mains electricity. The island is powered by a community run wind power scheme. On windless days there is a back-up diesel generator to supply the island with electricity. Prior to the wind turbines each house had their own diesel generator.

To find out regular island news, read our column in Westword West Word every month.

Where to stay
[ Disclaimer notice ]

Port Mor House Hotel
Port Mor House Hotel lies on the west side of Port Mor Bay, just a stones throw from the Craft Shop, Tearoom and pier. Built in the mid 70's the Hotel has a traditional West Highland feel, with open log fires, large public rooms and stunning views across the bay looking towards the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. The large garden that surrounds the Hotel is a great place to relax, watch over the comings and goings of the Island and soak up the fabulous views.
During your stay, you can expect some of the finest home cooking around. The Hotel specialises in seafood and uses locally sourced produce where possible.
Produce such as shellfish, lamb, game and vegetables are all sourced from Muck itself. The Hotel also offers a good selection of fine wines and malt whiskies to suit every taste.
Prices for full board (3 course dinner, bed and a hearty breakfast) are £42.50 per person per night. Packed lunches can also be arranged for a small charge.
Non-residents are also welcome for evening meals (by prior booking) and drinks.
Please contact Mary or Toby on 01687 462 365 or email hotel@isleofmuck.com

Port Mor House
Bed & Breakfasts
There are two B&Bs on Muck:

Carn Dearg
Carn Dearg is a quiet recently refurbished bungalow in the heart of Port Mor, a few minutes walk from the pier and perfectly located for the Craft Shop/Restaurant. The two bedrooms (one double, one twin) have an excellent view of the bay. B&B £25 per person per night. Evening meals using local produce and home grown vegetables are available for £12.50 per head. Contact Dave or Libby Barnden tel: 01687 462363.

Carn Dearg

Godag House
A comfortable B&B in a family home, set between Port Mor and Gallanach, with views of Rum, Canna and the Outer Isles. One twin room with use of own private bathroom, travel cot and additional childbed available. Optional dinner (using garden vegetables when available). B&B £25 pppn. Dinner £10pp. Telephone Julie or Glenn McFadzean on 01687 462371.

photos

Holiday Cottages
There are three holiday cottages on the island.
Saturday changeover unless by prior arrangement.
Please tel: 01687 462362 or email: info@isleofmuck.com

New House
Sleeps up to 10. A splendid 1930s timber 'shingle' cottage, situated above the beach at Gallanach. Living room, kitchen, bathroom with shower, and 4 bedrooms (double, two twin rooms, and a room with four singles). Peak season £420/wk, low season £250/wk.

New House

Gallanach Cottage
Sleeps up to 7. A traditional cottage situated on the cliffs overlooking Gallanach Bay. Living room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms (double; double with single; and bunk beds), and bathroom. Peak season £350/wk, low season £250/wk.

Gallanach cottage

Seileachean Cottage
Sleeps 2 ideally, but can accommodate 5. Quiet and secluded location, five minutes walk from the beach. Recently renovated with open plan dining living area, 1 bedroom (double bed with top bunk, and a sofa bed in the living room), and bathroom. Peak season: £320/wk, low season £250/wk.

Seileachean

Yurt
For the adventurous, you can stay in a Yurt which is a canvas framed circular structure based on a Mongolian design, and is situated in a secluded bay called Cairidh.
It has a wooden floor and a small wood-burning stove in the centre for heating and water, and a small gas stove is provided for cooking. There is a composting toilet close by, and bath/wash facilities are available at Port Mor House Hotel (small charge applies).
The Yurt sleeps 3-5 people, and campbeds and pillows are provided. We also provide cooking equipment. Please bring your own sleeping bag/bedding, towels and food.
Price £15 per night for the whole Yurt (not per person). Please call tel: 01687 462362 or email: info@isleofmuck.com

Yurt

Bunkhouse
The Bunkhouse is a self-catering hostel that can also be hired as a holiday cottage, or as a base for a camping group. It overlooks Port Mor, where the ferry boats arrive, and is near to the Craft Shop/Restaurant.
There are 3 bedrooms, with beds not bunks; 2 twin rooms and 1 double, a fully-equipped kitchen, a bath/shower room, and a small living room. Price £11.50 per person per night (£10.50 with own sleeping bag).
Block bookings by arrangement. Advanced booking recommended. Travel cot and high chair on request. Payment must be in cash or by cheque - we are unable to process debit/credit cards. For further information please contact Rosie (tel: 01687 462042).

bunkhouse

bunkhouse

Food - Drink - Crafts

Craft Shop

The Craft Shop is situated in the main village of Port Mor and is the centre for both locals and visitors alike. It is open from Spring to Autumn, (7 days per week during June, July and August). Originally the building was a traditional black house and over the years it has been sympathetically renovated into a small craft shop and tearoom.

The food is simple and sourced wherever possible from local producers including freshly caught shellfish from around the island. For lunch, home made soup and a large selection of sandwiches made with fresh bread are available. For the sweet-toothed, there is an impressive selection of home baked cakes. Pre-booked dinners are available based on traditional Scottish farm cuisine (table licence). Please book before 4.30pm (tel: 01687 462990 / 460057).
The shop also stocks a small supply of provisions and a range of seasonal fruit and vegetables.
The shop offers a large selection of original crafts, many produced on the island, including homemade baskets from locally grown willow. Specialising in handknitted garments and handspun island wool, including jazzy welly boot socks. The shop also stocks a large selection of craft books.
Cards of all shapes and sizes to match everyone's pocket capturing the beauty of the local scenery of Muck and the other islands including local landmarks, some painted by an artist living on the island.

Isle of Muck Lamb & Island Pork
Isle of Muck lamb is sold from the Craft Shop. A range of cuts are available for visitors staying on the island and for local delivery. Please contact Jenny MacEwen (tel: 01687 460057) to check availability.
The Craft Shop also sells cuts of Isle of Mull pork, please ask at the counter for details, or tel: 01687 462990 / 460057.

Cottages for Permanent Residency
Muck occasionally has properties that become available for let as residents move away. If you would be interested in living on Muck more permanently please contact Colin MacEwen (tel: 01687 462362) to find out about availability.

How to get here

Please contact Caledonian MacBrayne (tel: 01687 462403) or Arisaig Marine (tel: 01687 450224) for sailings to the Isle of Muck. Cars are left in Mallaig/Arisaig, and visitors travel as foot passengers.

Take the ferry to another island:
Eigg - Rum - Canna

Visit other destinations on the online tour:
Fort William - Glenfinnan - Lochailort - Arisaig - Morar - Mallaig - Knoydart - Isle of Skye

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Page last updated: May 2008
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