Gallanach and Aird nan Uan

Summary

This straightforward walk follows the Isle of Muck's only 'road' across the island from the ferry slip to the fine sandy beaches at Gallanach, looking across to the Isle of Rum. The final part of the walk gives rougher going and leads to a Bronze Age burial site.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Minor road / track with very little traffic to Gallanach. Final section on rougher path.

Public Transport

Calmac ferry to Muck from Mallaig; additional ferry service from Arisaig run by Bruce Watt.

Start

Port Mòr ferry jetty. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 6.75km / 4.25 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 49m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NM424791

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (1)

Stage 1

Walking onto Muck from the ferry terminal, turn left along the track. This leads through the island's main settlement, Port Mòr , with several houses. Pass the old ferry pier, the Green Shed gift shop and the island's cafe (if you can resist the chocolate cake) - the latter is a stone building with picnic tables outside.

Stage 2

Keep along the road, ignoring the turning for the hotel. The route crosses easily to the north side of the island, with superb views towards the mountains on Rum. The road soon reaches the north coast; note the yurt over in a field to the right.

Stage 3

Pass Gallanach Farm by the fine sandy beaches - a beautiful spot and a worthy destination for a short walk; the remainder of the route is a little rougher so you could always return from here. If continuing, keep along the road, passing through a gate until the road ends at some farm buildings.

Stage 4

Take a path which heads to the right behind the corrugated shed, heading towards a house up above the coast. Just before reaching the house head left over a stile and up to reach the grassy ridge above.

Stage 5

Head NNW along the grassy ridge towards the outlying islands of Eilean Aird nan Uan (Sheep island) and the larger Eilean nan Each (Horse Island); the former can be reached by a short scramble but the latter is inaccessible except for a very brief time at the lowest of tides. Before the islands a ring of stones is reached - this is the remains of a bronze-age cairn, with three much more recent graves added to it. It makes a superb place to sit and look out over the islands.

Stage 6

After reaching the cairn, the return walk is to head back the same way, hopefully with time for a stop at that cafe.

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