Campsites in Isle of Eigg
Camp by singing sands, hike craggy peaks, and watch for minke whales on peaceful Eigg.
- Isle of Eigg
Popular camping styles for Isle of Eigg
Campsites in Isle of Eigg guide
Overview
Eigg is a cross between its mountainous northerly neighbour Rum and the other two, flatter Small Isles members, Canna and Muck. It’s accessed from mainland ports Mallaig and Arisaig, and its highest peak, An Sgùrr, makes a beautiful hike from arrival port Galmisdale. Meanwhile Eigg’s gentler, sandy side is best experienced from stunning Cleadale in the northwest, where the island’s best-known attraction, the singing sands beach, is located. Campers can also explore Eigg’s sea caves and waterfalls, wildlife-watch for minke whales, or venture to still-lonelier island coastlines on a boat trip. The best camping is at Cleadale: either at Eigg’s only organised campsite or wild camping near the singing sands.
Where to go
Galmisdale & Around
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.
Cleadale & Around
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.
Isle of Rum
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.
Isle of Muck
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.
