Muck is the smallest of the Small Isles, part of the Inner Hebrides

Muck is the smallest of the Small Isles, at just 2.5 miles long, and has a population of just 38 people. It’s accessible via its neighbour, Eigg, by ferry from Mallaig on the mainland.

The island’s name is thought to come from the Gaelic Mouach, meaning ‘swine’. Originally this was taken to mean ‘Sow’s Island’, but more recently it has been proposed that it refers to the population of porpoises around the island, which were historically called mereswine. Grey and occasionally common seals can also be seen around the island, and basking sharks visit the waters in the summer months.

Life on Muck is intricately tied to the sea, and visitors can take advantage of opportunities for watersports in the sheltered Gallanach Bay. The waters are popular with divers, particularly around a massive underwater pinnacle dubbed Elizabeth’s Rock. Fishing is popular, and mackerel are abundant in the summer months, as well as fish, lobsters and crab. There are wide, shallow bays perfect for swimming, with a spectacular backdrop of the surrounding islands and the mountains of the mainland.

Horses roam the island semi-freely and are known to hang out on the beaches… so if you go for a dip or a beach walk, you might have company!

The island’s perimeter can be walked in just a few hours, so we recommend packing a lunch, your camera, a raincoat and sunscreen (yes, on the same day!) and taking some time to explore by foot.

A visit to Muck is sure to reward you with unforgettable views and the peace and quiet to let go of the hustle and bustle of the mainland.