FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

In preparation for your visit to the Isle of Muck, you might like to know the following:

Preparing for your Visit

  • Visitors to Muck really enjoy exploring the island, relaxing, playing in the sea and on the beaches and enjoying delicious food at The Tearoom. Check out our Activities section for more inspiration.

    Wildlife-spotting (whales, sharks, dolphins, porpoises, otters etc ); bird-watching (puffins, oyster catchers, terns, eagles etc); fishing from the shore/piers; relatively easy walks and exploring the coastlines and bays; picnicking; sea swimming; snorkelling; photography; beach play, beachcombing and relaxation; visiting the Highland ponies; lunch and coffees at the Tearoom; games/sports at the Community Hall; learning about the island’s heritage; understanding the geology of the island and the Small Isles; ceilidhs and folk music, soaking up the views and enjoying time with family and friends; reading a good book in front of the fire. 

    A walking map is available on the island from The Green Shed or visit www.walkhighlands.com .

  • During the summer months day visitors can get here with Arisaig Marine (www.arisaig.co.uk, 3hrs on the island, May – Sept) or Calmac (www.calmac.co.uk Tuesdays, 2hrs on the island, Mar - Oct). This is enough time to visit The Tearoom, The Green Shed and explore the island. More information available here.

  • Muck is reasonably free of midges, apart from on the calmest of evenings. On the whole there is usually a sea breeze, which keeps the midges away.

  • Due to the fragility of our road infrastructure visitors are not permitted to bring vehicles to the island.  Residents, trades and those who are registered disabled can apply for a permit through the Highland Council.

    Muck is a great place to enjoy without the need of a car (parking is available in Mallaig and Arisaig). Your Muck contact will arrange to help you with your luggage and supplies.

  • Bikes and kayaks can be booked with Calmac.

    When travelling with Arisaig Marine, they can only accommodate a few bikes (not electric bikes). Please check with Arisaig Marine. 

    Some visitors enjoy bringing inflatable kayaks or paddleboards.

    It is not possible to hire bikes or kayaks on the island.

  • When staying on the island, you can book your freight/supplies into one of the Caledonian MacBrayne freight vans (you’ll need to carry your personal luggage on board yourselves). 

    To book your freight on please click here: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/commercial-haulage/small-isles-freight-service/#/

  • Depending on the weather conditions and sea state, the ferry does sometimes cancel if the wind speed, wind direction and swell conditions mean it is unsuitable to provide a service. Cancellations due to weather are more likely during the winter months than the summer, but it’s worth keeping an eye on CalMac's service status webpage for updates on the service and any technical issues. https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/#/service-status/051 

  • The road is just over a mile long, so about 20-25 minutes to walk from Port Mor to Gallanach, which is a good option if you’re on a day trip. For those staying on the island, you have more time to explore the bays, beaches, and viewpoints around the island. Check out our Things to Do section for more information.

  • Yes. You are very welcome to explore the island during your stay and there are lots of interesting walks and sites to be seen.

    Please be responsible around livestock, birds, crops and residents’ houses/gardens, and leave gates as you find them. The island is a working farm. Please be especially careful with dogs, and keep them on a lead or close at heel. Birds usually nest April – July, so take extra care to minimise disturbance. Please refer to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code for further guidance.

  • Muck doesn’t have a campsite, but you are welcome to wild camp responsibly. Please don’t leave litter or waste.

    There are plenty of bays and beaches with stunning views. The public toilets are at the Community Hall, and there is also a shower there. The Community Hall is not a campsite, and we politely ask visitors not to camp in the Hall grounds. There is also a toilet in the farmyard at Gallanach.

  • Lamb island is the more accessible, round the bay at Gallanach and along the peninsula. There is a nice beach before you get to Lamb island. The easiest way up onto Lamb island is along the east shore.

    Horse Island is only accessible during Spring tides (<1m at low tides). You need sturdy boots and ideally walking sticks to cope with the seaweed covered rocks on the causeway. Well worth it for the adventurous. ** Please let someone know where you are going, and your expected time of return.

  • The Community Hall has wi-fi, and customers at The Tearoom can access wi-fi. 

  • The phone signal is intermittent around the island. You’ll find your phone picks up phone signal in some places better than others.

  • The Tearoom is able to provide cashback to the value of £20.

Local Services

  • No, there isn’t a general store on the island, but there is a tearoom which opens April-Sept. They carry basic store cupboard items if you run out or are short, but don’t expect to do a major shop.  They also hold fresh and frozen ready meals. 

    Some local produce is also usually available including shellfish, free-range island eggs, and sometimes seasonal fruit and vegetables. Please see Food and Drink section for more details.

  • Yes. The Tearoom is open during the season, April - Sept for coffees, lunches and afternoon teas. They also hold fresh and frozen ready meals, and pizza evenings are held most Wednesdays (booking recommended). Please check opening times on Facebook or Instagram or phone/message directly.

  • Muck isn’t connected to the national grid due to it being 16 nautical miles from the mainland. In the past each household used Tilly lamps, and diesel generators. Over several years the Muck Community developed their own wind powered Community owned electricity scheme, finally achieving 24-hour power in 1999 when it was windy. Isle of Muck Power Ltd is managed and maintained voluntarily by the residents. The island’s green electricity is currently generated by 30KW wind turbines, and 47KW photovoltaic panels, which charge a bank of batteries, with a diesel generator as back-up.  Find out more here.

  • The Community Hall is open 24/7 for everyone to respectfully enjoy. We ask visitors to make donations for using the facilities. The public toilets are in the Community Hall, along with a shower and a washing machine. There is also has a sports hall, with sports equipment and toddler toys in the side cupboards. Upstairs there is a library, heritage area, pool and foosball. The facility also has public wi-fi. Please note the kitchen is for community events, and not for day to day use. When the GP/ANP visits the island (Wednesday, fortnightly), the upstairs meeting room may be unavailable for a few hours.

About the Island

  • The population of Muck is usually around 40 permanent residents living on the island all year round.

  • Most of Muck is privately owned by the MacEwen family (since 1896). The island’s community renewable electricity scheme (completed in 1999) and the Community Hall (opened 2012) are community owned, managed and maintained voluntarily by the Community through the Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Company. The Community is also in the process of fundraising for some Community owned housing to be built in Port Mor. 

  • There isn’t a doctor or nurse on the island. The local GP practice is the Small Isles Practice (now part of the Sleat & Broadford Practice). If you require assistance during your stay, please call ‘999’ (emergency), or NHS 24 ‘111’ (non-emergency), or get a ferry and make your way to the hospital (closest Fort William).

    In an emergency the patient is usually taken to hospital by helicopter or the lifeboat. 

  • Events are advertised on the Muck Facebook and Instagram pages, and posters are displayed on the island noticeboards in Port Mor, Gallanach, the Green Shed and Community Hall. Visitors are very welcome to such events.

  • You can either bring groceries with you (this will have to booked on as freight on the Calmac ferry. Check their website for further details) or you can order groceries online from the Coop in Mallaig to be delivered to Muck. 

    To order online you need to:-

    • Enter the postcode of the property you are staying in at www.shop.coop.co.uk

    • Choose a date and time for our delivery that suits you (up to 5 days in advance)

    • Browse the range on the website

    • Add items you want to your order

    • Securely pay for your order

    •  The order will be packed and you’ll receive an email to confirm everything you’ve ordered. 

    • The order will be loaded onto the ferry ready for you to meet at the other side. Deliveries are charged at a flat rate of £5 per order and you'll be able to order as much as you choose. 

  • We have a primary school with nursery on the island, with a playground, polytunnel, mud kitchen area. The school is next door to the Community Hall which is used for sporting activities and larger events. There is also a local woodland used for forest school activities. The local secondary school is in Mallaig, and the pupils board at the Mallaig Residence during the week, returning to the island for weekends. https://muckprimaryschool.wordpress.com  

  • Only the island children can use the school equipment during term time. However, the Community Hall is open 24/7 and has a cupboard of sports equipment and toddler toys in the main hall. Visiting children can use this equipment responsibly providing an adult is in attendance. Please ensure all equipment is tidied away according to the photo labels.

  • With Muck being a low-lying island close to the sea, it is unusual for the island to experience much snow or frosts, and it doesn’t normally last very long, but we enjoy it when it does!

  • No, there aren’t many ground mammals on the island, only occasional sea otters, rodents and voles.