Closer the small isles of Rhum, Canna, Eigg and Muck appear, lying very low, just above the waves. As we head west from the Sound of Mull and around the Ardnamurchan Headland., the island of Muck appears like the giant head of a crocodile. Its name comes from the Gaelic 'Eilean a muic' - the island of the pig. During the Napoleonic wars 280 people lived here and worked in the kelp industry, but this collapsed in 1826 along with their economy. A walk across the land along farm tracks brings you to the west coast with incredible views of Rhum and Eigg.
Many birds are to be seen, puffins nest here as well as manx shearwater.
A stop here is very relaxing and gives just a glimpse of the islanders remote lifestyle. We often motor along close to the shore here. Here are occupied shearwater burrows and the unoccupied townships of Upper and Lower Grulin. The island now has a small but strong population who bought the island outright a few years ago. The red deer have been studied here for years to try and improve venison production on the mainland .