Mallaig by Boat – An Hour Off Knoydart
A few hours, from Mallaig pier and back.
The route
An hour on the water from Mallaig's busy fishing harbour is one of the easiest ways to see the Small Isles.
Western Isles Cruises' boat crosses the mouth of Loch Nevis to Green Island off Knoydart, with Skye, Rum and Eigg out to sea, and a fish lunch at the Tea Garden waits a minute from the pier. It suits families, dog owners and anyone arriving on the train.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Western Isles Cruises' one-hour wildlife cruise online for the 12.45pm, 2.20pm or 3.30pm sailing, every day from April to October: it needs at least 10 passengers to sail, and a full refund needs more than 24 hours' notice.
The day
Mallaig
An hour at sea with binoculars ready and the islands lined up beside you, then kippers or fish and chips a minute's walk from where the boat ties up.
About two and a half hours
Western Isles Cruises
Western Isles Cruises' one-hour wildlife cruise leaves from Mallaig pier, beside the company's Pier Office, at 12.45pm, 2.20pm and 3.30pm every day from April to October. If you're driving in, park in the West Bay car park, a council car park on the left as you come into the village, next to the community centre and public toilets, about five minutes' walk from the pier. East Bay car park, through the village, is 10 to 15 minutes' walk. Spaces can't be reserved and there's no public parking on the pier, so allow time in summer. The MV Western Isles heads out with Skye, Rum and Eigg on the left, crosses the mouth of Loch Nevis and runs over to Green Island off Knoydart. Birds, seals, porpoises and dolphins visit these waters, and now and then whales and basking sharks, though nothing is promised. It's £20.52 for adults and £10.26 for children of 5 to 14 at the time of writing, and under-5s and dogs go free. Dogs stay on the outer deck on a short lead, and in very rough weather may not sail. There are toilets and a whisky bar on board. The boat needs at least 10 passengers to sail, and the 12.45pm is back in plenty of time for the trains to Fort William.
The Tea Garden, Mallaig
Lunch
Back on the pier, it's a minute's walk up Station Road to the Tea Garden, a café on the corner covered in flowers, with a coal fire inside and tables in the garden. It serves cooked meals all day, with fish fresh from the boats: Mallaig kippers, prawn rolls, pints of prawns, sherried herring, fish and chips, filled rolls and baked potatoes, then cream scones and shortbread. It's licensed and welcomes dogs, with a doggie ice cream. It usually opens Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, and shuts on Sundays, so ring 01687 462764 to check. On a Sunday, Western Isles Cruises suggests taking fish and chips or a sandwich from the village on board instead.
If it rains
The MV Western Isles has a cabin, so a shower is no reason to stay ashore; rough weather may stop the boat or the dogs, and the Tea Garden's coal fire is the place to dry off.
The Cabin Restaurant and Takeaway, a restaurant in Mallaig.
The Chlachain Inn, a restaurant.