Camp by singing sands, hike craggy peaks, and watch for minke whales on peaceful Eigg.


Common to many small Scottish islands, the centre of action on Eigg is where ferries from Mallaig, Arisaig, and the other Small Isles arrive and depart. Galmisdale, in Eigg’s southeast, also sports two big, grass-backed bays around which wild camping is possible, plus some community-owned camping pods furnished with sleeping platforms, fridges, basic kitchen supplies, and cooking shelters. The bay also features a convenient and idyllically located café near walks to the island high point of An Sgùrr.
Eigg’s only organised camping is in the Cleadale area in the island’s northwest, at Eigg Organics, where field pitches overlook Rum’s mighty mountains. But the two sandy half-moon bays of the Bay of Laig and Camas Sgiotaig provide special settings for wild camps too. Camas Sgiotaig has singing sands (the sand makes a squeak under your bare feet as you walk), plus several caves and waterfalls.
Rum, the largest and wildest of the Small Isles, is ideal for wild camping. A National Nature Reserve known for its birdlife, red deer, and cetaceans, it’s all wilderness outside Kinloch where the ferry from Eigg comes in. Several paths and tracks bisect the Rum Cuillins, and the best pitching places are typically found around the coast at places like Kinloch and Kilmory. Get advise on camping and hiking from the ranger station near the ferry terminal.
Low-lying Muck is the smallest and southernmost of the Small Isles, and it is the easiest to access from Eigg, via a 30-minute ferry ride. The arrival point is Port Mòr in the southeast, but wild campers should head northwest to Gallanach and pitch around the big sandy beach there. For a completely quiet escape, this is the place: swim off the coves and skerries, then wildlife-watch for porpoises, dolphins, otters, seals, and eagles.