When on holiday in the Isle of Skye one of the most popular activities is to take one of the boat trips which run from the small village of Elgol. One trip which is particularly beautiful is to take a boat trip to the Isle of Muck on Skye Boat Trips boat, “The Islander”.
The isle of Muck is one of the small isles of the west coast of Scotland. It is only two miles long and one mile wide with a population of about 38 people. As with the rest of the small isles, the Isle of Muck is full with history. In 1821 the population of Muck had reached a staggering high with 320 people living on the island so in 1835 the owners of the island, the MacLeans, evicted 150 people and sent them to live in Cape Breton. The remaining people were allowed to build houses and make a living for themselves through fishing however a lot of them emigrated.
Since 1916 the island has been in the hands of the same family. Lieutenant MacEwan took over the island in 1916 however soon after he was recalled to the navy to fight in WW2 so the island was left the hands of his wife. When the war was over the department of agriculture paid for half of a modernisation scheme in which water was piped into every house, rayburns cookers were installed and tilly lamps were lighting each house. When Lieutenant MacEwan passed away the island was left to his eldest son Alisdair who farmed the island until he moved to the mainland and gave the island to his brother Lawrence who still farms the island till this day. Lawrence’s younger brother Ewan returned to the island in the 1970s and built a hotel.
When you’re on the island there is a tearoom, craft shop and restaurant which are all well worth a visit. These are all usually open from 11 am from March through to September. During the quieter months of the year it is best to phone in advance to find out when they are open. A boat trips to Muck is a great family activity, especially since it is so flat so it is easy to walk around. There is beautiful scenery on the island and lots of wildlife to look out for on the trip over. The wildlife to look out for is seals, these are in and around most of the islands, porpoise, and these are mostly seen around Muck, minke whale, dolphins and basking sharks.
If you are wanting to plan a boat trips to Muck then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us here at Skye Boat trips as we will be happy to arrange a time and date for your trip.
The isle of Muck is one of the small isles of the west coast of Scotland. It is only two miles long and one mile wide with a population of about 38 people. As with the rest of the small isles, the Isle of Muck is full with history. In 1821 the population of Muck had reached a staggering high with 320 people living on the island so in 1835 the owners of the island, the MacLeans, evicted 150 people and sent them to live in Cape Breton. The remaining people were allowed to build houses and make a living for themselves through fishing however a lot of them emigrated.
Since 1916 the island has been in the hands of the same family. Lieutenant MacEwan took over the island in 1916 however soon after he was recalled to the navy to fight in WW2 so the island was left the hands of his wife. When the war was over the department of agriculture paid for half of a modernisation scheme in which water was piped into every house, rayburns cookers were installed and tilly lamps were lighting each house. When Lieutenant MacEwan passed away the island was left to his eldest son Alisdair who farmed the island until he moved to the mainland and gave the island to his brother Lawrence who still farms the island till this day. Lawrence’s younger brother Ewan returned to the island in the 1970s and built a hotel.
When you’re on the island there is a tearoom, craft shop and restaurant which are all well worth a visit. These are all usually open from 11 am from March through to September. During the quieter months of the year it is best to phone in advance to find out when they are open. A boat trips to Muck is a great family activity, especially since it is so flat so it is easy to walk around. There is beautiful scenery on the island and lots of wildlife to look out for on the trip over. The wildlife to look out for is seals, these are in and around most of the islands, porpoise, and these are mostly seen around Muck, minke whale, dolphins and basking sharks.
If you are wanting to plan a boat trips to Muck then please do not hesitate to get in contact with us here at Skye Boat trips as we will be happy to arrange a time and date for your trip.
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