The Small Isles by Train and Ferry
The Small Isles have ferries from two stations: Mallaig, with a crossing of 1hr 20min to Eigg, 1hr 25min to Rùm, 2hr 20min to Muck and 2hr 50min to Canna, and Arisaig, with a crossing of 1hr to Eigg and 2hr to Muck from mid April to the end of September.
Askival, 812m, is the highest of the Small Isles' 15 listed hills.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How to get to the Small Isles by train
The train takes you to the ferry port, and the ferry carries foot passengers, so you can walk on with a rucksack and no car.
Train and CalMac ferry
Train to Mallaig, ferry to Eigg, Muck, Rùm and Canna
Crossing: 1hr 20min to Eigg, 1hr 25min to Rùm, 2hr 20min to Muck, 2hr 50min to Canna
The ferry terminal is a short walk from the platform. Mallaig station
Train and Arisaig Marine ferry
Train to Arisaig, ferry to Eigg, Muck and Rùm
Crossing: 1hr to Eigg, 2hr to Muck
The ferry terminal is a short walk from the platform. Sailings run from mid April to the end of September only. Arisaig station
Walking distances are estimates from the straight-line distance and the type of ground, not a measured route. Check a map before you set off.
Train times to the ferry from Glasgow, Edinburgh and more
The quickest train from each city to the ferry port. Then add the crossing: 1hr 20min from Mallaig, 1hr from Arisaig.
Hills you can walk to from the ferry
4 listed hills lie within 3 miles of the Rùm terminal as the crow flies, so you can start walking straight off the ferry.
- Hallival722m · 2.1 mi (about 3 to 3.5 mi on foot)
- Mullach Mor304m · 2.1 mi (about 2.5 to 3 mi on foot)
- Barkeval591m · 2.6 mi (about 3.5 to 4 mi on foot)
- Askival812m · 2.7 mi (about 4 to 4.5 mi on foot)
Hills on the Small Isles
The Small Isles have 15 listed hills, including 8 Marilyns. Askival is the highest at 812m.
Marilyns on the Small Isles
- Askival812m
- Ainshval781m
- Trollabhal702m
- Orval571m
- An Sgurr394m
- Sgorr an Fharaidh340m
- Mullach Mor304m
- Carn a' Ghaill211m
Protected places on the Small Isles
Protected places that lie mostly on the Small Isles, each with its own page.
National Nature Reserves
National Scenic Areas
Special Areas of Conservation
Wild Land Areas
Can you visit the Small Isles without a car?
Yes. The ferries carry foot passengers, so you can arrive with a rucksack and no car. 4 listed hills start within 3 miles of the terminal. We don't list island buses, so for anywhere further from the ferry, check local transport before you travel.
More Scottish islands by train and ferry
- Isle of SkyeTrain to Mallaig, 30min ferry to Armadale
- Isle of MullTrain to Oban, 50min to 1hr ferry to Craignure
- Isle of ArranTrain to Ardrossan Harbour, 55min ferry to Brodick
- Isle of ButeTrain to Wemyss Bay, 35min ferry to Rothesay
- BarraTrain to Oban, 5hr 35min ferry to Castlebay
- South UistTrain to Mallaig, 3hr 30min ferry to Lochboisdale
- Coll and TireeTrain to Oban, ferry to Coll and Tiree
- OrkneyTrain to Aberdeen, 6hr ferry to Kirkwall
- ShetlandTrain to Aberdeen, 12hr 30min ferry to Lerwick
Also by train and ferry: English, Welsh and Manx islands.