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Isle of Eigg

Galmisdale

The bay where you land on Eigg, with the ferry pier, the old pier and An Laimhrig, the island's community hub.

Welcome

Galmisdale is where you land on Eigg: the bay at the south-east corner of the island, with the ferry pier, the old stone pier and, at the head of both, An Laimhrig, the island's community hub.

Above the wooded shore, An Sgùrr fills the skyline.

Almost everything a day visitor needs is gathered here. An Laimhrig holds the Isle of Eigg Shop, the Galmisdale Bay Café and Bar, the craft shop and Eigg Adventures, who hire out bikes, e-bikes and kayaks. Next door, Taigh Nighe has toilets, showers and a laundry, open all year. Visitors cannot bring cars, so the island is seen on foot or by bike: the road runs about four and a half miles north to Cleadale, and An Sgùrr and the ruins of Grulin can be walked from the pier. The CalMac ferry comes from Mallaig all year, and in summer the Sheerwater sails from Arisaig.

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The Daily for 14 November, from Scotland with love. A red kayak beached on a loch shore beneath sunlit rocky hills, Sutherland

Before you go

The CalMac ferry sails from Mallaig; in summer, from April to September, the Sheerwater runs from Arisaig and must be booked.

There is a stone waiting room at the end of the ferry pier to leave luggage. Taigh Nighe has toilets, showers (£3 for five minutes) and a laundry, open around the clock all year.

Getting there
CalMac ferry from Mallaig; the Sheerwater from Arisaig, April to September. No visitor cars.
At the pier
Shop, café bar, craft shop, bike hire.
Luggage
Waiting room on the ferry pier.
Taigh Nighe
Toilets, showers, laundry, 24/7.

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Did you know

A cluster of white buildings set beside a calm sea loch, hills rising behind
Did you know

The valley of the roaring surf.

Galmisdale is a Norse name, from galmr, roaring surf, and dalr, a valley.

Soft toys and framed prints line a sunlit gift shop's shelves and central table.
Did you know

A safe haven.

An Laimhrig means the anchorage, or safe haven. The building is owned by the community and holds the island's shop, café, craft shop and bike hire.

Small boats moored along a calm sea loch, hills rising behind autumn trees
Did you know

Two piers.

The long pier belongs to the Highland Council and takes the CalMac ferry. The smaller old pier is owned by the community and used by passenger boats and yacht tenders.

A sign welcoming visitors to the Isle of Eigg beside a Big Green Footsteps noticeboard, a distinctive peak rising behind
Did you know

Bought by its people.

On 12 June 1997 the Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust took ownership of the island. Members of the public gave the whole purchase price of £1.5 million.

Fishing boats moored along a calm sea loch, hills rising behind bare trees
Did you know

Water, wind and sun.

Eigg is not on the mainland grid. Since 2008 its own community company has made around 95 per cent of the island's electricity from water, wind and sun.

A sign welcoming visitors to the Isle of Eigg beside a Big Green Footsteps noticeboard, a distinctive peak rising behind
What is on

What is new across Eigg, day by day.

New places, news and stories, as we find them.

What is on on Eigg
01 / 06

Where it is

Galmisdale Bay, the south-east corner of the Isle of Eigg, PH42 4RL.

Close byBy the pier.
  1. Tables by a wide window looking out over the rocks and the bay.Galmisdale Bay Café & BarThe café and bar at the head of Eigg's piers, with homemade food, big windows over the bay and island beer.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. A hire bike leaning on a grassy bank on the moor, the ridge of An Sgùrr beyond a conifer wood.Eigg AdventuresBike, e-bike and kayak hire from the Adventure Shed at the pier, with maps, helmets and a safety talk.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. An SgùrrAn SgùrrThe mile-long pitchstone ridge over the south of Eigg, the largest of its kind in Europe, climbed from the north to 393 metres.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. Tables of knitwear and soft toys in the sunlit craft shop, shelves of cards and books behind.Eigg Craft ShopThe island makers' cooperative at the pier, with Eigg crafts, artwork, knitwear, books and maps.Under a mile 1 min by road
  5. GrulinGrulinThe ruins of two townships under the southern cliffs of An Sgùrr, cleared for sheep in 1853.Under a mile 1 min by road
  6. Grulin BothyGrulin BothyThe one roofed house left in the cleared township of Grulin on Eigg, a whitewashed shepherd's cottage under An Sgùrr.Under a mile 1 min by road
Directions
Curved white sand bay meets turquoise water below coastal hillsAttractionsSanna Bay12 miles

Recommend to a friend

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bay, and when each is next free.

The house's gabled wing with a decked terrace and two chairs, solar panels along the roof, seen across a grassy slope.Borradill House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 17 miles from Galmisdale
Free 22–25 NovBorradill Cottage, ArdnamurchanBorradill Cottage
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Glenborrodale
  • 17 miles from Galmisdale
Free 15–18 NovCoruisk House's white harled exterior shows dormer windows and clustered chimneys against a grey sky.Coruisk House
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgol
  • 19 miles from Galmisdale
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on EiggAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here

Read on

What we have written about it and more on Eigg.

From the magazineDocumenting the Small Isles
More on Eigg

Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .