Guidebook to 25 coastal and mountain walks on the Small Isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, suitable for a range of abilities. Explore this wild and rugged archipelago off Scotland’s west coast, where volcanic peaks, dramatic cliffs and quiet shorelines offer some of the Hebrides’ most rewarding walking. Highlights include the towering Cuillin of Rum, the pitchstone ridge of An Sgùrr on Eigg, Canna’s spectacular sea cliffs and Muck’s fascinating coastline.

The routes range from short rambles to longer treks, including a challenging three-day, 41km (25 mile) circuit around the coast of Rum. Walks vary from 3–41km (2–25 miles) and can be completed in 1 to 3 days, depending on the route. Many walks are circular, while others link key island features or viewpoints. The varied terrain includes rough mountain paths, moorland, open pasture and coastal tracks.

• 1:50,000 OS mapping included for each walk
• Step-by-step descriptions with distance, ascent, time, difficulty and terrain
• Includes transport, accommodation and trip-planning advice
• Background information on geology, wildlife and local history
• GPX files available to download

Route summary table

Introduction

When to go

Getting there

Maps and route-finding

Access

Safety and emergencies

What to take

Using this guidebook

Rùm

Walk 1: A round of the Rùm Cuillin

Walk 2: The Dibidil Horseshoe

Walk 3: Askival and Hallival from Kinloch

Walk 4: Hallival and Barkeval from Kinloch

Walk 5: Around the coast of Rùm

Day 1: Kinloch to Dibidil

Day 2: Dibidil to Guirdil

Day 3: Guirdil to Kinloch

Walk 6: Kinloch to Guirdil

Walk 7: The Guirdil Horseshoe

Walk 8: Orval and Àrd Nev

Walk 9: Kinloch to Harris Bay

Walk 10: Kinloch to Kilmory Bay

Walk 11: Port na Caranean

Eigg

Walk 12: Uamh Fhraing and Uamh Chràbhaichd

Walk 13: Grulin from Galmisdale

Walk 14: An Sgùrr and Grulin

Walk 15: Beannan Breaca and the south-west

Walk 16: The Beinn Bhuidhe plateau from Galmisdale

Walk 17: Sgorr an Fhàraidh

Walk 18: Camas Sgiotaig and the north-west coast

Walk 19: Around the north-east coast of Eigg

Canna and Sanday

Walk 20: A’ Chill, Compass Hill and Black Sand Beach

Walk 21: Around Canna

Walk 22: Around Sanday

Muck

Walk 23: Around Muck

Walk 24: Beinn Airein and Camas Mòr

Walk 25: Caisteal an Dùin Bhàin and the far south coast

Appendix A: Useful websites

Appendix B: Further reading

Seasons

Spring, early summer and early autumn are the best times to walk in the Small Isles – when the weather is mildest and the midges are in abeyance. High summer is the busiest season and midges can be a nightmare on Rùm particularly. Winter days are short and storms are frequent, but the grandeur of the islands in winter weather – when few visitors are around – is ample reward for the well-prepared walker.

Centres

Kinloch, Dibidil, Kilmory, Harris, Guirdil (Rùm); Galmisdale, Cleadale (Eigg); Port Mòr (Muck); A'Chill (Canna)

Difficulty

Routes range from the challenging – the Rùm Cuillin traverse, a physically demanding mountain walk where good navigation skills are essential – to the relatively undemanding shorter walks on low-lying Muck and Sanday. Whether walking in the mountains or along sandy beaches, the weather can change suddenly in the Hebrides – be prepared for wet, wild and windy conditions.

Must See

The towering volcanic peaks of the Rùm Cuillin, Kinloch Castle, Harris Bay and Kilmory Bay on Rùm; the jutting pitchstone summit of An Sgùrr and the Beinn Bhuidhe plateau on Eigg; Canna's towering cliffs and Sanday's sea stacks; the verdant pastures and sandy shores of Muck. The Small Isles have an abundance of spectacular wildlife, geological features, ancient monuments and stunning coastal landscapes throughout the islands.

It is essential that you have the appropriate maps for the walks described in this guidebook. There are few waymarks, signposts or paths of any kind, making accurate route finding all the more important. A degree of navigational proficiency is indispensable.

This guide incorporates Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping with highlighted routes. These should be used in conjunction with OS Explorer 1:25,000 maps because of their greater topographic detail. Do not rely solely on the maps in this guidebook as it is essential that you are able to ascertain your position in the wider context, should you need to abandon your walk and make for the nearest road or habitation. The walks described in this guidebook are covered by the following Ordnance Survey maps:

• OS Explorer 1:25,000 sheet 397 Rum, Eigg, Muck, Canna and Sanday
• OS Landranger 1:50,000 sheet 39 Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna

A compass is indispensable and a ‘wristwatch’ altimeter is also very useful for navigation, especially on the hills of Rum. It’s not quite so easy to get lost when walking along the island coastlines, but it is important that you know exactly where you are, especially in poor weather/visibility and if for any reason you need to head inland from the coast.

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