Muck, Scotland

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Port Mòr, from the harbour.
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Port Mòr, from the harbour.

Muck (Gaelic Eilean nam Muc ) is the smallest of the Small Isles, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It measures roughly 2.5 miles (4 km) east to west and has a population of around 30, mostly living near the harbour at Port Mòr. The other settlement on the island is the farm at Gallanach. The island's only road, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length connects the two.

A link-span has been recently built (2005) at Port Mòr and this is used by the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, MV Lochnevis, which links Muck, and the neighbouring Small Isles of Canna, Rùm and Eigg, to the mainland port of Mallaig (2 1/2 hours away). During the Summer months the islands are also served by Arisaig Marine's ferry MV Shearwater from Arisaig, 10 mls south of Mallaig.

The island's main hill is Beinn Airein (137m). Muck is also known for its seal population, and for the porpoises in the surrounding waters. The name may derive from the Gaelic word for porpoise. An earlier owner, who disliked the name, attempted to persuade Samuel Johnson and James Boswell that the authentic name was Isle of Monk.


Islands of the Hebrides
Inner Hebrides
Ascrib Islands | Canna | Cara | Coll | Colonsay | Crowlin Islands | Easdale | Eigg | Gigha | Iona | Isay | Islay | Jura | Kerrera | Lismore | Luing | Lunga | Oronsay | Muck | Mull | Raasay | Rùm | Seil | Shuna | Skye | Soay | Staffa | Summer Isles |Tiree
Outer Hebrides
Barra (Isles) | Benbecula | Berneray | Eriskay | Flannan Isles | Great Bernera | Harris and Lewis | North Uist | Rockall | Scalpay | South Uist | St Kilda


Coordinates: 56°50′N 6°15′W