Out & About
Walking
Muck is easy to walk around, with its rolling fertile landscape. The highest point is Beinn Airein (at 451ft) which is a relatively easy walk to the top. The most popular accessible route is the east side from Gallanach, walking around the grass fields from Gallanach, through a tree plantation, and up the east face (more challenging from the west side). There is a Cairn on the summit of Beinn Airein, south-east of the trig point.
Other popular walks might include:
a walk across the island from Port Mor to Gallanach (just over 1 mile, 20-30 mins), where you can take in the breath-taking views of Eigg, Rum and Canna, with the Cuillins of Skye and the Outer Isles in the distance. You can enjoying the white sandy beaches at Gallanach and the island's seal colony basking on the reef.
A’'Chille (“the old village”): This is described as a township, chapel and burial ground, and is located above the Community graveyard in Port Mor (10 mins walk from the pier)
from Gallanach you can enjoy a walk down the peninsula towards Lamb Island and Horse Island. On the upper level you will find two Cairns at Ard nan Uan that are Neolithic or early Bronze Age, 2,000BC. The central part of the north Cairn has been used as the MacEwen family grave (20 mins walk from Gallanach). Horse Island is accessible at certain low tides. This is where many sea birds nest, including the island’s only puffins. Please note the walk over to Horse Island can be slippy, and you need to take your time crossing the wet seaweed covered rocks. Walking boots and sticks are advisable.
heading west from Gallanach will take you the renovated black house of Bagh with a turf roof. Further along the shore is shell bay, a pretty bay of shells (20-30 mins walk from Gallanach)
walking to Caisteal an Duin Bhain: The fort at the entrance to Port Mor is Prehistoric, though the buildings on top and around about are more recent (20-30 mins walk from the piers)
the coastal walk around the island will take you over a wide variety of terrains from rocky shorelines, and sandy beaches to steep wind swept cliff-tops. You can really enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of Muck, and the neighbouring islands in the distance (5-6 hrs walk)
A map of island walks is available from The Tearoom.
Cycling
Bikes are an ideal way to travel from one end of the island to the other on the single tracked road (just over 1 mile). Visitors are very welcome to bring their bikes, which are particularly useful for children cycling up and the down the road to the Tearoom or Community Hall.
On the Water
Gallanach bay provides a beautiful safe harbour for water sports, and visitors are more than welcome to bring paddleboards, kayaks, snorkelling and diving gear. The waters around Muck offer some excellent diving opportunities. Visitors and islanders also enjoy fishing. Mackerel are usually plentiful in July and August, and pollock and scythe are also typical catches.
Wildlife
Muck has a rich and diverse wildlife. For full details please refer to the Isle of Muck Guide Book, available from The Tearoom.
Around 40 species of birds breed regularly on Muck, and a further dozen or so occasionally. The marine life is particularly rich and interesting due to the Gulf Stream, and includes a number of crabs, small purple sea urchins, and the only British Coral, the “Cup Coral”. Grey Atlantic seals are commonly seen around the shores and Common seals occasionally. Porpoises and Minke whales are also commonly seen, and Basking sharks can be spotted in late summer (these are plankton feeders and perfectly harmless!).
A number of species were never introduced to Muck, including deer and rabbits.
Community Events
Anyone visiting the island is always more than welcome to attend any ceilidhs, quiz nights, or other social functions that might be taking place whilst you are on the island.
