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Wild About Lochaber

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Isle of Eigg

  • The red waymarked path heads to the top of An Sgurr
  • Yachts moored at Arisaig
  • Leaving Arisaig for Eigg on the MV Sheerwater
  • Seals near Arisaig
  • Cruising to Eigg from Arisaig
  • Red Breasted Mergansers
  • Bridled guillemots
  • The MV Sheerwater docked at Eigg
  • The cafe, craft shop and general store at Eigg ferry terminal
  • The Isle of Eigg has some community waymarked routes
  • Galmisdale ferry terminal on Eigg
  • Waymarked path through Galmisdale woods
  • Looking back towards the mainland
  • An Sgurr, the prominent feature of Eigg
  • The Isle of Muck
  • Bog asphodel
  • Woolly caterpillar
  • Interesting boulders
  • Earth Connections Sustainability Centre and gardens
  • Heath spotted orchids

Details

The Isle of Eigg is the second largest island of a small archipelago of islands, The Small Isles. The impressive pitchstone ridge of the Sgurr of Eigg is a dramatic remnant of the last volcanic eruption on the island.

There are three nature reserves on the island (SSSIs), encompassing moorland, raised bog and the hazel scrub. The Lodge Gardens also support a diverse collection of horticultural specimens.

There are some lovely sandy bays in the north west of the island, and some interesting cave formations on the south coast including the large high roofed Cathedral Cave, formerly used for church services, and the infamous Massacre Cave, where over 390 inhabitants were murdered by the Clan MacLeods as part of an ongoing feud between the latter and the MacDonalds.

There are just under 200 of resident and migrant bird species recorded for the island, of which approximately 70 species breed on Eigg, Look out for basking sharks and for minke whale, dolphins and other cetaceans in surrounding waters, and otters along the coastline.

The island supports a diverse flora, with twelve species of orchid recorded on the island, Arctic- alpine assemblages and over 300 species of bryophytes.

The islands also has a rich archaeological and cultural heritage, afforded by over 8000 years of occupation, as evidenced by the remains of graves, burial mounds, Iron Age duns, Bronze Age metal workings, ancient forts, Christian crosses and shielings, as well as a more recent 18 century water mill, an ‘ Italianate’ Lodge, a B- listed farmhouse and a Gothic style church.

Travelling to the Island

By passenger boat from Arisaig or the taking the Calmac ferry from Mallaig.   We took the Manx Sheerwater  from Arisaig marina (booking and early arrival advisable).  The Sheerwater has indoor seating at the front and outdoor seating at the rear; it is a good idea to arrive if you have a seating preference.   The Sheerwater sails between May and September, please refer to sailing time table for sailing dates.

The journey to Eigg takes about an hour on the Sheerwater and the length of stay on the island is between 4 and 5 hours depending on the day selected.  The outgoing journey provides a wealth of opportunity to admire island views as you leave the Arisaig and as you approach the Small Isles.  There is good wildlife spotting opportunities on route.  Look out for small congregations of auks (black guillemots, guillemots, razorbills), gannets, puffins, eider ducks.  Common seals and shags can be found some of the numerous small islands as you leave the mainland, these islands ranging in size from tiny and barren islets to larger vegetation clad islands.  On arrival at Eigg , we were greeted a lone piper.

The Isle of Eigg makes for a good day trip from the mainland, as well as for longer stays, accessible by ferry from Mallaig and Arisaig.  In our five hours ashore we explored the south west of Eigg along the community maintained way marked walking routes.

 

Facilities

By the pier there is a café serving a selection of drinks and light lunches, a general store, a craft shop, an information centre, and a bicycle hire shop.   There is an interpretation board about the island and another showing the way-marked walks. 

There is a restaurant in Cleadale, the main settlement on the north of the island, as well as a crofting museum and crofting trail, run by the Eigg History Society.

Activities

Walking

There are a number of way-marked walks on the island, the routes of which are displayed on  a postcard map of the walks that can be purchased from the Craft Shop, at the Pier Centre (Am Laimhrig).  Details of seven of the walks can also be found on Walk Highlands website.  The walks range from a short stroll around the pier and Lodge Gardens to a more arduous walk to the Scurr of Eigg.   For the northern walks, there is a limited minibus service to the north of the island or you can hire a bike. 

Guided Wildlife Walk

There is a guided wildlife walk given by the resident Scottish Wildlife Trust Warden, John Chester,  on Thursday between April and September.  Pleaae telephone 01687 482477 to book

Cycling

Bikes can be hired from the shop at the pier or you can arrange to bring your own bike on the ferry.   You can cycle to along the single track road to Howlin on the north of the island, or take some of off road trails through the island.

Water-based activities

There also opportunities to explore the coast and surrounding waters by sea kayak or by taking a wildlife watching cruise- refer to Eigg Adventures for details.

A great day out if staying in and around Moidart,  Ardnamurchan, Arisaig and Mallaig.

Location

starting grid ref: 

NM484838

Links to useful information

  • Isle of Eigg Wildlife Page
  • Isle of Eigg website
  • A most Eigg-cellent adventure, The Guardian 2017
  • Scottish Wildlife Trust
  • Walk Highlands walks
  • Eigg Earth Connections Centre
  • Ferry timetables
  • SNH -Geology of the Small isles
  • Dragonflies and damselflies of the Small Isles (pdf)
  • Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
  • Birds of Eigg (pdf)
  • Eigg History Society
  • Eigg Adventures
  • Isle of Eigg, Howlin

OS Map

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Things To Do

  • Things To Do
  • Activity Providers
  • Beaches
  • Castles
  • Destinations
  • Gardens
  • Geology
  • Geopark Rock Route
  • Historic Attractions
  • Museums and Interpretation
  • Railways
  • Wildlife Experiences
  • Wildlife Hotspots

Wildlife

  • Wildlife Overview
  • Wildlife Habitats
    • Woodland
    • Grassland
    • Upland
    • Bog
    • Freshwater
    • Maritime
  • Map of Wildlife sites
  • Wildlife Experiences

Willdife Experiences

  • Crannog Cruise on Loch Linnhe
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Mull Sea Eagle Adventure
  • Isle of Rum
  • Loch Shiel Wildlife Cruise
  • Loch Sunart Wildlife Ferry to Tobermory
  • Mull Eagle Watch
  • RSPB Glenborrodale Wildlife Walk
  • Scottish Sea Life Santuary
  • Ski Lift to Creag Dbubh
  • Treshnish Isles and Fingal's Cave
  • Whale and Dolphin Wildlife Cruise from Mallaig

Willdife Sites

  • Achnaha Community Woodland
  • Allt Mhuic Nature Reserve
  • Aonach Mor
  • Ardnamurchan Point
  • Ardtornish Wildlife Hide
  • Ariundle Oakwood
  • Camusdarach Beaches
  • Claish Moss
  • Creag Meagaidh NNR
  • Cuil Bay
  • Cul na Croise
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide
  • Glasdrum National Nature Reserve
  • Glen Beasdale SAC
  • Glencripesdale
  • Inchree Red Squirrel Hotspot
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Rum
  • Kentra Moss
  • Rahoy Hills
  • RSPB Glenborrodale
  • Sanna Bay
  • Shian Wood SWT Reserve
  • Treshnish Isles

Glencoe

Discover Glencoe

Glencoe and Loch Leven

>>

Walking

Walking

Take a Walk on The Wild Side...

with over 100 wildlife focused walks across Lochaber, you'll be spoilt for choice

>>

Fort William

Fort William

Fort William, The Outdoor Capital

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Wildlife

wildlife

Wildlife

Home to Scotland's Big Five, red deer, golden eagle, otter, red squirrel, seals and so much more. A Wildlife Adventure Awaits.

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Ardnamurchan

West Highland Peninsulas

Ardnamurchan and The West Highland Peninsulas

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Activities

Activities

Activities

kayaking, wildlife watching, cruising, cycling, golfing, climbing, skiing, slow adventures and many more things to do

>>

Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

The Road to The Isles

>>

Day Trips

Day trips

Day Trps

Take off for the day to see the puffins on The Treshnish Isles, A Day trip to Mull, Skye, The Small Isles, The Most westerly point on the mainland and many more local ideas for a day out

>>

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