Roy Bridge - Fort William - Mallaig - Eigg

27.03.2017 - 27.03.2017 18 °C
View Eigg on IainT's travel map.

Day 2.

An early start and I was away from the B&B at 7:30 to get the 8:30 train from Fort William. My ticket - booked in advance and using my senior railcard - cost £9.20 return.

Scotrail's 8:30 to Mallaig

It was a spectacular journey through amazing scenery to get the 10:20 ferry to Eigg (it also calls at Rùm and Muck). The unusual names come from Norse and not Gaelic.

I had an hour on the ship under windless, blue skies. Between the mainland coast, the Small Isles and Skye, you’re surrounded by beauty. All for £7.70 (return).

Calmac's 10:20 to Eigg

I settled quickly into my home from home thanks to the owner’s daughter, who then rushed off to fret about her 400 sheep which are about to start lambing.

Shepherd's Hut

I decided to have lunch out as the only cafe on Eigg is only open on the days the ferry arrives (3 days a week at the moment - still the winter timetable). Lunch out on the deck. In March...

Lunchtime

More exercise kept me busy in the afternoon - I tackled An Sgurr, the biggest hill on the island. It was tougher than yesterday’s hike - a path which alternated between rocky and boggy. Still, another 3.5 hours and 12 or 13 km on the clock.

Rùm from An Sgurr