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Mallaig is a Port Village 42 miles northwest
of Fort William, 26 miles northwest of
Glenfinnan via the A830 road.
The Village is the main Ferry Port for a 5
mile crossing to Armadale on the south side of the
Isle of Skye. There is also a
Heritage
Centre, short Boat Tours for
wildlife, and the popular Steam Trains
that run through the Mountains and over large
Viaducts between Fort William, Glenfinnan,
and Mallaig in summer. There is also the good
Silver Beach at Morar 3 miles
south by the main road.
For Images on Mobile swipe right
Click On Map for area
Attractions
Camping & Touring Parks in
area
The image top is from the hill just
southeast of the Village with the communication
towers. The image second is of Mallaig centre
with small Shops, Cafes, and Restaurants.
The West Highland Hotel is
the largest in the Village, a short walk from
the Harbour.
Western Isles
Cruises provide short Wildlife Cruises on
their Boat, or on their fast RIB. This company
also provides a Ferry Service to remote parts
of Western Scotland and small Islands.
The Larger Ferries
run between Mallaig and Armadale on the south
side of the Isle of Skye. The crossing is 5
miles taking about 35 minutes. This has
remained a popular route to travel to Skye,
even though the Skye Bridge was completed in
1995. The Bridge crosses over to the east side
of Skye. Both routes from Fort William to
Potree on Skye are about the same distance.
The Mallaig Heritage
Centre is next to the Train Station. This
gives information on how the Village evolved
over the years through farming and fishing The
Centre also gives information on old Mallaig
Ferries and Lifeboats.
Morar Beach is 3 miles south of Mallaig, you
get a good view of the Beach when crossing the
new large flat Bridge on the main road up to
Mallaig.
Large
Images.
Loch Morar is 4 miles south of Mallaig by
the real small village of Morar, where you can
find the Grave of David Sterling, founder of
the SAS, and walk along the north side of the
Loch for amazing views. Loch Morar is the
deepest Loch in Scotland, the road to the small
car park down at the loch is real narrow, not
suitable for large vehicals.
Large
Images.
Mallaig History
1840s - the Village of Mallaig was founded
after Lord Lovat of North Morar Estate
encouraged some of his Tenants to begin Fishing
as a way of life.
1901 - the Train Station opened in Mallaig,
leading the the Village expanding with a larger
Fishing Fleet using the Trains to transport the
Fish around the UK.
The Rail Line aslo brought in Tourists as
the trip up from Fort William was described as
one of the Top Rail Journeys in Scotland.
A number of Steamers began operating out of
Mallaig at that time, providing a Ferry
Services througout the Western Isles for locals
and tourists.
Ferries still run from Mallaig to Armadale
on the Isle of Skye, Inverie in the remote area
of Knoydart, and
the small isles of Rum, Eigg, Muck, and
Canna.
1960s - Mallaig was the busiest Herring Port
in Europe. The Village is known for its
traditionally Smoked Kippers.
The area can be busy in summer with tourists
on trains, on the scenic drive on the good road
up through mountains, past Glenfinnan Monument
and huge Viaduct, past a scenic Silver Beach at
Morar 3 miles south, and traveling over to the
Isle of Skye by Boat / Ferry.
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