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Mallaig
and the Road to the Isles
Transport
- Sightseeing
- Accommodation
Photo courtesy of the
the official Road to the Isles web site
A 45-mile drive north-west of
Fort William, the port of Mallaig on the rugged west coast of Scotland is the ideal base from which to explore all the magnificent scenery of the area, plus the
Small Isles and
Skye.
How to get to Mallaig
By road:
Take the famous Road to the Isles from Fort William to Mallaig with plenty to see along the way -
click here for online tour.
By coach:
Shiel Buses operate many of the local services between Mallaig and Fort William. Tel: 01967 431 272.
Citylink services operate from Glasgow/Edinburgh to Fort William and Oban.
Train:
All year round regular train services between Fort William and Mallaig are operated by
First Scotrail - click for timetables and online booking.
This part of the famous West Highland Line is said to be the most scenic train journey in Scotland.
Steam trains operate during the summer for a spectacular ride - click here for details. These tickets must be booked in advance via the train operator (tel: 01524 737751 or 01524 737753).
You can view a short video online about it courtesy of STV.
Ferry:
The summer ferry runs 6 or 7 times a day (including some Sundays at the height of the season) between Mallaig and Armadale on the
Isle of Skye. The winter service is limited to 2 journeys a day (Monday to Friday only). Journey time: 25 minutes. Vehicle reservation required.
Bikes are carried free of charge.
Also from Mallaig, there is a ferry which visits the Small Isles.
The official Caledonian Macbrayne website lists the current timetables and prices in detail. Tel: 01475 650 100 / fax: 01475 635 235
or for vehicle reservations telephone 0990 650 000.
Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service.
Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey
and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
Travellers' Tips
Scotland Made Easy can plan a customised itinerary for a self-drive tour to suit your interests, budget and time available. They will book you into recommended accommodation where you are assured of quality, comfort and hospitality - usually in 4 star B&Bs in Scottish homes. Optional 'specials' include a night in a castle, church, lighthouse, country mansion, etc.
Whether you have already decided which places you want to visit
or if you haven't a clue where to start,
Scotland Made Easy
will advise and take care of all the planning for you.
Car hire is available from J.I.M. Motor Vehicles, Harbour Building, The Pier, Mallaig - telephone: 01687 462 211.
My travellers' tips file may also be useful if you
are planning a trip to Scotland. It covers airlines, national car hire, train information, maps,
accommodation web sites, etc.
Local Events & News
What to see
MALLAIG
Mallaig is a small fishing port overlooking the Sound of Sleat which
separates the mainland from the Isle of Skye. In the past, millions of herring
were landed here, but today it sees Europe's largest catches of prawns.
It is at the end of the Road to the Isles and is an ideal place to stop overnight if you are catching the ferry to Armadale on Skye.
It is worth staying a little longer to take a cruise to the Small Isles.
Mallaig is the end of the scenic railway line from Fort William.
Next to the train station is the Mallaig Heritage Centre which explains all you need to know about the history of the local fishing industry and the building of the famous West Highland railway line. It includes a multimedia
display, film show, lifeboat exhibition, gift shop and model railway.
Visit their web site for full details.
The village has several souvenir shops, Mallaig Art Gallery (tel: 01687 462964), supermarket, post office,
pharmacy, bank and a swimming pool with fitness centre and games room.
When the fishing boats have just come in with their catches, you might see
some seals in the harbour looking for the odd fish that could come their way.
Bruce Watt has regular cruises to the Knoydart peninsula.
When on boats in this region, I have seen alsorts of marine creatures, so you stand a good chance of seeing some interesting wildlife here. The last time I took the ferry, I am pretty sure I saw porpoises.
Just 1.5 miles past Mallaig is Nevis Bank, 4 star self catering cottage overlooking a quiet beach opposite the Isle of Skye.
The Mallaig and Morar Highland Games are in August.
More info about Mallaig on the Road to the Isles Online Tour
MORAR (3 miles south of Mallaig)
Morar is the ideal place to watch the steam engines go past on the West Highland
Line and admire the views of the Small Isles. The cross erected at the viewpoint
commemorates the opening of the present church.
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Morar is particularly famous for its spectacular silver sands where the movie "Local
Hero" starring Burt Lancaster was filmed in the 1980s. A video tape can be ordered from
Amazon.com.
Photo copyright Joanne Mackenzie-Winters August 1999.
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Close by is Loch Morar where some of the movie Rob Roy was filmed. Twelve miles long and a thousand feet deep in places, it
is the deepest fresh water loch in Europe. Here you can hire boats and canoes or
try your hand at trout fishing. The loch is said to be the home of a monster
called Morag. Sightings date back to at least 1887, but the most famous incident took place in 1969 when a creature bumped into a boat. The occupants reported that it was 25-30 feet long and had 3 humps.
The loch was surveyed by a team from London University several times during the 1970s and 3 sightings were made, but no photographs taken. In 1990 several people saw an unidentified object in the loch, so be sure to have your camera ready just in case she pops her
head up out of the water.
The English composer Arnold Bax was a regular guest at the Morar Hotel in the 1930s
and amongst other works wrote much of his last five symphonies there.
The Morar Hotel provides accommodation and incorporates the Silver Sands Restaurant. Regular music events.
Full details on Morar on the Road to the Isles web site.
ARISAIG (8 miles south of Mallaig)
Famous for its golden beaches and views of the Small Isles which you can visit
on a cruise by taking a boat from the harbour.
The Land, Sea and Islands Centre was opened in July 1999 in what used to be an old smiddy in
the middle of the village. The Centre includes a viewing room overlooking the Small Isles, a souvenir shop, artefacts on crofting and fishing, a rebuilt forge, wildlife exhibitions and information about wartime activities in the village when Arisaig House and other buildings in this area were used as by the SOE (Special Operations Executive) during the Second World War. You will also find out about Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Warrior Queen and local legends. Telephone 01687 450 266.
Astley Hall
has a varied programme of events thoughout the year including music, drama and special events.
The Arisaig Highland Games take place in July each year.
The beach at Camusdarach
was featured in the BBC TV series 'Monarch of the Glen' and in the film 'Local Hero'.
Now licensed for weddings, so you can get married on the beach!
Photo copyright Traigh Golf Course
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The Traigh Golf Course is situated between Morar and Arisaig.
It is a 9 hole course, par 68, SSS 65.
Visitors are welcome 7 days a week, and golf clubs can be hired at the clubhouse.
Tel: 01687 450337 or 01687 450645.
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Full details about Arisaig on the Road to the Isles Online Tour
LOCHAILORT (halfway between Arisaig and Glenfinnan)
Here, Inverailort Castle was the headquarters for 42 Commando during World War 2.
Located at the head of Loch Shiel, the Glenfinnan monument is visible from the railway line
when you come over the viaduct. Topped by a kilted Highlander and built
in 1815, it marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie unfurled his Jacobite
standard on 19th August 1745 at the start of his campaign to regain the
throne for the House of Stuart. You can climb to the top on the narrow, spiral staircase - not for the faint-hearted though! The Visitor Centre with toilets, restaurant, gift shop is owned by the National Trust of Scotland (open April - October, tel/fax: 01397 722250).
This is featured in
Bonnie Prince Charlie video for sale online retracing his steps during the famous 1745-1746 rebellion.
There is also a railway museum here at the picturesque train station.
The Glenfinnan Highland Games are held in mid-August.
Glenfinnan Brewery was officially opened in May 2007 (tel: 01397 704309).
Take a cruise on Loch Shiel onboard the M.V. Sileas
departing from Glenfinnan or Acharacle from April to October. Special events include evening cruises and ceilidh cruises. Follow the signs from the road to the Glenfinnan House Hotel. To check sailing times, phone 01687 470322. Visit the Loch Shiel Cruises web site for further info.
More info about Glenfinnan on the Road to the Isles Online Tour
EXCURSIONS
SAIL OVER THE SEA TO
SKYE
Why not take the ferry from Mallaig over to Armadale on the Isle of Skye? There
are 6 or 7 sailings a day in the summer.
THE SMALL ISLES
Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna can be visited on cruises from Mallaig and Arisaig.
See my page on the Small Isles for details.
WHALE WATCHING
You can see whales, dolphins and seals on the M.V. Sulair (private charter only).
KNOYDART
The remote peninsula of Knoydart is one of the last great wildernesses in Britain and is only accessible by boat.
The Old Forge in Inverie is mainland Britain's most remote pub - it serves good food and drink.
Bruce Watt operates the boat from Mallaig and can take you over for a day trip, or you can arrange accommodation in Knoydart and stay longer.
Rafters B&B offers luxury accommodation in 3 bedrooms.
There is a holiday business there at Doune, which incorporates
accommodation, boat charter, outdoor activities and a restaurant. They take
people around the Small Isles and all over the Hebrides.
Sandaig Cottage offer self catering for 6+
at Sandaig bay just 7-10 metres from the sea in 400 acres of private land (4 miles from the village of Inverie).
For more information about Knoydart including transport and accommodation there, visit the
Knoydart page on the Road to the Isles web site.
The Knoydart Foundation web site also has a lot of local information.
Tom McClean's remote Highland Adventure Centre on the other side of Loch Nevis offers a bunkhouse base for canoeing, diving, fishing, climbing, hiking, orienteering, clay pigeon shooting, camping, etc. Ideal for sports clubs, school groups, scout groups, etc. You need to bring your own qualified instructor(s) with you.
Expeditions can be made in Knoydart.
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ARDNAMURCHAN
This ruggedly beautiful area is the most westerly place on the mainland and well worth a visit - click here.
CASTLE TIORAM
The current owner is intent on saving this ancestral home of the Macdonalds of Clanranald
in Loch Moidart from further decay.
For latest news, click here.
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Books & Maps
If you intend to go hiking, particularly in the hills, you will need the scale of maps provided by the Landranger series produced by the Ordnance Survey which is the official map agency of the UK. These can be purchased via Amazon in the UK:
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Arisaig and Morar: A History
Arisaig and Morar, known in Norse and Gaelic as the "river-mouth bay" and the "great water".
Book by Denis Rixson - a well known expert on the history of the West Highlands who has published several other local books.
. Paperback. 160 pages. Published in July 2002..
Order your copy from
Amazon.com or
Amazon.co.uk
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Iron Road to the Isles
(A Travellers' and Tourists' guide to the West Highland Lines)
A user-friendly guide to the famously scenic West Highland railway routes: Glasgow to Fort William, Mallaig and Oban. Reprinted in 2009.
Featuring detailed one inch to the mile maps of the route accompanied by an entertaining commentary by Michael Pearson.
Features a historic introduction plus a Gazetteer of all the places served on the line, together with information on accomodation, eating out, shopping, things to do and places to visit.
Superb colour photographs.
Order your copy from
Amazon.co.uk
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Accommodation Listings
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B&B / Guest Houses
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Hotels / Inns
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Featured Self Catering Accommodation
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Mrs. Eileen MacPhie
Arranmore
Mallaig Bheag
Mallaig PH41 4QN
Tel / Fax: +44 (0) 1687 462051
Email: emacphie@zetnet.co.uk
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Nevis Bank Cottage
Newly built luxury self-catering cottage.
Scottish Tourist Board 4 Stars.
Located just 1.5 miles from Mallaig.
Overlooking a quiet beach with otters & seals.
Panoramic views of Skye & the Knoydart peninsula.
3 bedrooms (2 double & 1 twin) & bathroom (bath & shower).
Kitchen with microwave, oven, hob, cooker,
fridge, freezer, washer-drier, dishwasher, etc.
Spacious lounge with feature fireplace, TV, VCR.
Conservatory and patio windows with a clear view of the sea.
Central heating.
Prices from £322 per week
No pets.
Click here for online brochure
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Booking Hotline: 0845 268 1383
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Cottages4You
Selection of log cabins & cottages ranging from 1 to 6 bedrooms.
Locations including Fort William, Banavie,
Road to the Isles.
Web site with virtual tours and instant online booking.
Short breaks and late deals often available.
Click here for online booking
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Self Catering Listings:
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Arisaig:
Knoydart:
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Mallaig:
Morar:
Near Glenuig / Lochailort:
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Also see Accommodation in Fort William & Area
Hostel / Camping / Caravans
- Sheena's Backpackers Lodge at Harbour View has mixed sex dorms (bedding provided) for 12 people, cooking facilities and lounge. Located close to the railway station ferry terminal. Tel: 01687 462764. The Tea Garden cafe and restaurant serves food all day.
- Camusdarach camping/caravan site is 4 miles north of Arisaig on the old coastal road. Just 3 minutes walk from the famous sandy beach used in the film 'Local Hero'. Facilities include midge-eater machines, a toilet and shower block, laundry with washing and drying machines, washing-up areas and facilities for the disabled and babies. 42 pitches and 16 electric hook-ups. Green Tourism Gold Award. Open from March 15th to October 15th. Self catering properties also available. Contact Andrew & Angela Simpson. Tel: 01687 450221.
- Invercaimbe Caravan & Campsite is 1.5 miles north of Arisaig on the old coastal road to Mallaig (8 miles). Facilities include a payphone, a shower and toilet block, laundry room and facilities to wash dishes. Electrical hook-ups available. The croft has a beach front location and features Highland Ponies and Cattle. Open from Easter to October. Self catering properties also available. Contact Joyce and Ruaridh Ormiston. Tel: 01687 450375 / Mobile: 07919872309.
- Kinloid Farm campsite & caravans near Arisaig. Tel: 01687 450366.
Where to eat
Meals are available in Mallaig at the Marine Hotel
and West Highland Hotel, also
The Fish Market Restaurant (Station Road)
The Cornerstone Restaurant on the Main Street has a good reputation for fresh seafood.
Take-away food is available from the Spar shop and The Cabin café.
In Morar, meals are available at the Silver Sands Restaurant in the Morar Hotel.
Sunset Guest House operates a Thai Food take-away (tel: 01687 462259).
In Arisaig, meals are available at the Arisaig Hotel and Old Library Lodge.
In Glenfinnan, meals are available at Flora's Restaurant at
The Prince's House Hotel (tel: 01397 722246)
and also The Dining Car at Glenfinnan Station (tel: 01397 722400).
For lots of local information, visit
the official Road to the Isles web site
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