Gaelic name | Eilean nam Muc |
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Meaning of name | "sea pig", from Gaelic muc, "pig", a short form of muc-mhara, "whale". |
Port Mòr, from the harbour |
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Location | |
Muck shown within Lochaber
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OS grid reference | NM408794 |
Coordinates | 56°50′N 6°15′W / 56.83°N 6.25°W |
Physical geography | |
Island group | Small Isles |
Area | 559 ha (2.2 sq mi) |
Area rank | 70 |
Highest elevation | Beinn Airein 137 m (449 ft) |
Administration | |
Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
Country | Scotland |
Council area | Highland |
Demographics | |
Population | 27 |
Population rank | 61 |
Population density | 4.8people/km2 |
Largest settlement | Port Mòr |
References |
Muck (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean nam Muc, pronounced [ˈelan nə ˈmuʰk]) is the smallest of four main islands in the Small Isles, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland.
Muck is adjacent to the other Small Isles (Canna, Rùm and Eigg). It measures roughly 2.5 miles (4.0 km) east to west. The island's main hill is Beinn Airein (137 metres (449 ft)).
The island's population was 27 as recorded by the 2011 census four fewer that the 31 usual residents in 2001; during the same period Scottish island populations as a whole grew by 4% to 103,702. The populace mostly live near the harbour at Port Mòr. The other settlement on the island is the farm at Gallanach. The island's only road, about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) long, connects the two.
Muck is also known for its seal population, and for the porpoises in the surrounding waters.
A causeway and slipway were built at Port Mòr in 2005. This allows vehicles to be driven on and off the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, MV Lochnevis, which links Muck and the neighbouring Small Isles with the mainland port of Mallaig (2½ hours away). However, visitors are not normally permitted to bring vehicles to the Small Isles. During the summer months the islands are also served by Arisaig Marine's ferry MV Sheerwater from Arisaig, 10 miles (16 km) south of Mallaig. It is featured in the on-line newspaper West Word.