Carefully Selected Scottish Holiday Homes in Beautiful Locations
Small Isles
Transport practicalities
CalMac run passenger-only ferries to the Small Isles from Mallaig (Mon-Sat; tel 01687/462403, www.calmac.co.uk). Day-trips are possible to each of the islands on certain days, and to all four islands on Saturdays, if you catch the 6.30am ferry. The CalMac ferry only docks at Canna; for the other three islands, you (and all the island supplies) have to be transferred to an island tender or "flit boat". However, new piers are currently being constructed, and a new car ferry should be in operation by 2003.
From Easter to September, you can also reach Rùm, Eigg and Muck from Arisaig with Arisaig Marine, run by Murdo Grant (daily; tel 01687/450224, www.arisaig.co.uk). This is a much more pleasant way to get there, as the boat is licensed, and, if any marine mammals are spotted en route, the boat will pause for a bit of whale-watching. Day-trips are possible to Eigg on most days, allowing four to five hours ashore, and to Rùm and Muck on a few days, allowing two to three hours ashore. With careful studying of both CalMac and Murdo Grant timetables, you should be able to organize a visit to suit you, especially as Arisaig and Mallaig are linked by train.
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