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Isle of Muck
Port Mor
| The smallest of the Small Isles
group and the most fertile, Muck has a population of
about 30 people, 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 boat
from Arisaig
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (contact Arisaig Marine tel: 01687 450224) or on the 'Lochnevis'
Calmac ferry from Mallaig
on Tuesdays. The 'Lochnevis' also calls on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For the Lochnevis sailing times, visit the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry web site. Longer stays can be arranged and there are a wide variety of options available. |
| 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. 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 sports (with a ceilidh in the evening) in 2008 (date to be confirmed). 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. Craft Courses: Basket making, etc. Phone Jenny on 01687 462362. |
 View of Rum from Gallenach |
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On the farm, note the hairy Luing cattle and sheep of many breeds and colours, some of whose wool is ideal for hand spinning. You may often see pigs, surrounded by piglets. |
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Prominent also are the Highland ponies, with three brood mares and the impressive stallion, Strathmashie Seumas Mhor (Seumas). Young stock are available for sale, for further information contact Jenny MacEwen, 01687 462362. In 2000, one of the brood mares, Eilidh made her claim to fame when she crossed the Minch to join the Castaways on Taransay. |
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To find out regular island news, read our column in Westword West Word every month.
Where to stay
[ Disclaimer notice ]
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There are four self-catering properties; three of which are situated near
the white, sandy beach at Gallanach and close to the farm, and the fourth is at Port Mor.
They are supplied with electricity from the island's wind power scheme which came on stream in 2000. Please see the summaries below: |
| New House: Sleeps up to 10 people; has oil fired Rayburn, gas cooker, wood burning stove, fridge/freezer and washing machine.
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 The cottage enjoys spectacular views of Rum, Canna, Skye and Eigg. |
| 'Seileachean' A new, one-bedroomed barn conversion, this is a cosy and quiet retreat for up to 5 people. It has an oil-fired Rayburn with radiators, gas cooker and fridge and a washing machine. |
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Gallanach Cottage
A traditional worker's cottage with outstanding views over the Inner Hebrides, it sleeps 5 to 6 - basic but cosy! It has 3 bedrooms, 1 with a coal fire; a bathroom, a living-room with coal-fired Rayburn; and the kitchen overlooks Gallanach Bay. |
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For the adventurous, a canvas replica of a Mongolian 'Yurt', with a wooden floor and a central stove has been erected on the North side of the island. The Yurt sleeps 4-6 people. |
For details and bookings of the above:
Phone 01687 462362 or email: info@isleofmuck.com
Other accommodation on the island includes:
Port Mor House Hotel
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- Godag House - A comfortable B&B in a family home, offering optional dinner and packed lunches: garden vegetables when available. Telephone Julie or Glenn McFadzean on 01687 462371.
- The Bunkhouse is a self-catering hostel which can 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. It has 2 twin-bedded and 1 double room, a kitchen with gas stove, small fridge and stainless steel pans, a bath/shower room and a living-room. For Bunkhouse bookings phone 01687 462042. Prices: £11.50 per person per night (£10.50 with own sleeping-bag). Block bookings by arrangement.
- Camping on the island is free of charge but check at the Craft Shop for good sites.
Food - Drink - Crafts
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The Craft Shop is situated in the main village of Port Mor and during the summer months is the centre for both locals and visitors alike. 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 is available. For the sweet-toothed, there is an impressive selection of home baked cakes. Dinners are served on request with a menu based on traditional Scottish farm cuisine (table licence). 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 stocks a large selection of craft books, and can provide craft courses.
Cards of all shapes and sizes to match everyones 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.
Muck Lamb
As from June, we hope to sell our own Isle of Muck lamb, which will be available from the island or through mail order. Please contact Jenny MacEwen (tel: 01687 462362) to check availability.Cottages for Permanent Residency
Muck occasionally has properties which become available for let as residents move away. If you would be interested in living on Muck more permanently please contact Jenny MacEwen (tel: 01687 462362) to find out if there are any cottages available.
How to get here
There are year-round daily sailings to the Small Isles on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service from Mallaig. Arisaig Marine operates day trips in the summer from Arisaig - telephone 01687 450224 for details.
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
Email: info@road-to-the-isles.org.uk
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our Guestbook
______________________________________
Produced by the Road to the Isles Marketing
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Copyright to all text and photos belongs to its members
Three top photos from postcards Copyright Clare Waters
Not to be reproduced without permission.
Page last updated: May 2007
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