Muck
Muck – its name may derive from the Gaelic word for Porpoise “Muc Mara” which were once very common in the bay – lies to the west of Eigg. The smallest of the Small Isles, Muck measures less than two miles long by a mile wide.
Muck is mostly composed of basalt lava. Beneath this basalt is sedimentary limestone which is visible below high-water mark at Camus Mor, a Site of Scientific Interest (SSI).
The most fertile of the Small Isles, Muck has been farmed since the Bronze Age. A Bronze Age burial circle can be found on the west side of the bay at Gallanach, more recently used as the MacEwen family grave.
Muck was purchased in 1896 by Lawrence Thompson MacEwen who already owned Eigg. Both the farms on the two islands were run together. Many improvements were made during his lifetime including the building of a new school – cost £395 – which was in use until the 1990s. When he died in 1913, he was buried on Castle Island which lies just off Eigg. Muck is still owned and run by the MacEwen family.
It was not until 1922 that trees were introduced onto Muck. These include Contorta and Pinus Muricata and provide some much-needed shelter. A wide variety of Alpine plants such as Mountain Cats Paw, Dwarf Juniper, Pyramidal Bugle and Crowberry can also be found on Muck.
The diverse birdlife on Muck includes Kittiwakes, Razorbills, Grelyag Geese, Pied Wagtails, Ringed Plovers and Corncrakes. Horse Island, near Gallanach, is home to a colony of Puffins. These are often sighted from the Sheerwater early in the season up until the end of May or early June.
Basking Sharks, Minke Whales, Seals and Puffins are among the wildlife regularly spotted on our sailings to Muck. Visit our Gallery to see a sample of our photos.
MV Sheerwater visits Muck on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You can enjoy two hours ashore to explore on a Monday and Friday, and three hours on a Wednesday. During June, July and August, the Sheerwater also visits Muck on a Sunday.
A great escape from the outside world, the island has a very tranquil feel. Despite this, there is plenty to do in your time ashore including seeing the island’s own wind power scheme. Muck had no electricity until 1970 when two diesel generators provided the islands power.
Walk across to the beautiful beaches at Gallanach. It only takes about 20 minutes. Explore the island and see the fortified rock at Castel an Dun Ban, or view the remains of the clearance village of Keil.
Visitors to Muck are well looked after and a trip to the island is not complete without dropping into the excellent Tea Room / Craft Shop whose reputation precedes it. Some people visit just for its infamous Chocolate Cake!
If you’d like to spend a few days on Muck, there are various types of accommodation on the island. You can find out more by going to our Links page.