I had the chance to go to the Isle of Muck last week, one of the smaller of the Small Isles.It is owned by Lawrence MacEwen . The whole MacEwen family are extremely friendly and welcoming , very down to earth and hardworking. I have been to islands where one gets the impression that the inhabitants are there to get away from the rest of humanity, where there is an undercurrent of unhappiness and loneliness. Maybe my impression of Muck was coloured by it being a lovely sunny day but everybody I met seemed contented and happy with their lot. I'm sure it is different in the depths of winter but last week it seemed an idyllic place. I would love to spend more time on the island although being only one mile by two and almost entirely lacking in hills it would become frustrating for an ultrarunner after a while!
The boat trip on the Sheerwater from Arisaig is always a great experience with a chance to see birds, seals and whales . The Sheerwater is a small boat so the crossing can be rough but on Friday it was calm . Returning in the afternoon across a glittering sea, the islands of Eigg and Rum were grey silhouettes on the horizon, the sky, previously a brilliant azure blue, was full of drama as the sun dipped low and clouds built up - it was a beautiful end to a wonderful day.
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| On the Sheerwater |
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| Quick sketch of the distinctive profile of the An Sgurr of Eigg |
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| The Sheerwater moored at the slipway on Eigg ( it stops here for half an hour on the way back from Muck) |
Polly Pullar has written a book about Lawrence MacEwen and Muck called
A Drop In The Ocean , it is well worth reading.
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