| Muck | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
  Muck
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| Muck shown within Scotland. | |
| OS grid reference: | NM408794 |
| Names | |
| Gaelic name: |  Eilean nam Muc (help·info)
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| Meaning of name: | "island of the whales", from Gaelic muc, "pig", a short form of muc-mhara, "whale". |
| Area and Summit | |
| Area: | 559 ha (2.2 sq mi) |
| Area rank: | 70 |
| Highest elevation: | Beinn Airein 137 m (449 ft) |
| Population | |
| Population (2001): | 30 |
| Population rank: | 60 out of 97 |
| Main settlement: | Port Mòr |
| Groupings | |
| Island Group: | Small Isles |
| Local Authority: | Highland |
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| References: | [1][2][3][4] |
| If shown, area and population ranks are for all Scottish islands and all inhabited Scottish islands respectively. | |
Muck (Scottish Gaelic: Eilean nam Muc, pronounced [ˈelan nə ˈmuxk]) is the smallest of four main islands in the Small Isles, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. It measures roughly 2.5 miles (4 km) east to west and has a population of around 30, mostly living near the harbour at Port Mòr. The other settlement on the island is the farm at Gallanach. The island's only road, about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in length connects the two.
Photo: David Crocker
A causeway and slipway were built at Port Mòr in 2005. This allows vehicles to be driven on and off the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, MV Lochnevis, which links Muck and its neighbouring Small Isles of Canna, Rùm and Eigg, with the mainland port of Mallaig (2 1/2 hours away). However, visitors are not normally permitted to bring vehicles to the Small Isles. During the summer months the islands are also served by Arisaig Marine's ferry MV Sheerwater from Arisaig, 10 miles south of Mallaig.
The island's main hill is Beinn Airein (137m). Muck is also known for its seal population, and for the porpoises in the surrounding waters. The name may derive from the Gaelic word for porpoise. An earlier owner, who disliked the name, attempted to persuade Samuel Johnson and James Boswell that the authentic name was Isle of Monk.
References
- ^ 2001 UK Census per List of islands of Scotland
- ^ Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands. Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN 1841954543.
- ^ Ordnance Survey
- ^ Iain Mac an Tailleir. "Placenames". Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/gaelic/pdfs/placenamesK-O.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
External links
Coordinates: 56°50′3″N 6°14′56″W / 56.83417°N 6.24889°W
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