THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Board MV Sheerwater at Arisaig Marina for a one-hour hop to the Isle of Eigg, five hours ashore, and an island taste of cliffs, dark pitchstone ridge, seals and seabirds. Perfect for dog-owners and day-trippers who want remote scenery without an overnight stay.
Board MV Sheerwater at Arisaig Marina for a one-hour hop to the Isle of Eigg, five hours ashore, and an island taste of cliffs, dark pitchstone ridge, seals and seabirds. Perfect for dog-owners and day-trippers who want remote scenery without an overnight stay.
Book with Arisaig Marine Ltd
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Operated by Arisaig Marine Ltd · Arisaig, Scotland
From the slipway at Arisaig Marina, the MV Sheerwater cuts west across sun-silvered water and in an hour deposits you on the Isle of Eigg, a compact island of cliffs, sandy bays and a dark volcanic pitchstone ridge that makes for unusual, dramatic profiles on the skyline. This special anniversary ceilidh sailing is a one-way crossing with five hours ashore—enough time to stretch legs, hunt for quiet coves, and meet island life without a multi-night commitment.
The journey is straightforward: check in at the Arisaig Marina ticket office (inside the café building), arrive 45 minutes early as advised, and hand over any prebooked luggage tokens. The vessel carries sheltered indoor seating and open deck room for dogs (must be booked and kept on a short lead on the outer deck); crew scan QR tickets at boarding. Capacity on MV Sheerwater is limited by weight and passenger numbers, so luggage beyond one small day bag must be reserved in advance.
Eigg's coastline alternates grassy slopes and pebbled beaches; the island's dark pitchstone ridge stands out against the North Atlantic, and you’ll likely spot grey seals slipping along the shore and colonies of guillemots and kittiwakes working the thermals. Local cafés and a small shop provide simple meals—pack a day bag with water and layers, but know you can buy tea and snacks at the marina or on the island.
Practical perks make this sailing a favored choice: dogs travel free when booked, parking is available at the marina (day parking is free; overnight island permits are required), and the refund policy allows cancellations up to 24 hours prior. Skippers can alter plans for weather—safety is paramount—so stay flexible and follow crew guidance.
For people short on time or aiming to add a remote island to a wider Scottish Highlands itinerary, this short-hop to Eigg delivers an intense taste of the Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rum) without an overnight stay. Photographers will love low, moody light on the pitchstone, while families and dog-owners appreciate the easy boarding and short passage. If you prefer longer exploration, the booking system lets you purchase return sailings or arrange luggage for overnight stays.
This sailing isn’t just transport—it's a focused reminder that remote landscapes can be accessible with thoughtful planning. Come prepared, respect island rules, and you’ll leave with a few hours of island air, uncommon coastal scenery, and the memory of the sheening sea between Arisaig and Eigg. Bring waterproof layers, stout shoes for rocky shorelines, and a charged phone; plan for limited mobile signals, and ask the ticket office about bike or luggage limits when you check in—these small steps keep your visit smooth and help protect fragile island habitats for future visitors.
easy.
6–7 hours.
Low-to-moderate: able to stand on deck and walk uneven shoreline for a few hours
Scheduled sailings run from April through the end of August, with special sailings advertised depending on weather and wildlife.
Yes—dogs are permitted at no cost but must be booked in advance, kept on a short lead on the outer deck, and are not allowed inside the cabin.
Only one small day bag is included; additional luggage must be prebooked due to weight and passenger limits and requires a luggage token at check-in.
Bikes are allowed at a cost (typically £5 per journey) with a maximum per sailing; electric bikes are not accepted.
Advance booking is advisable—sailings can fill quickly in peak season, though there may be tickets available on the morning of departure.
There is parking at Arisaig Marina; day parking is free for day-trippers. Overnight island permits must be purchased if staying overnight on the islands.
Eigg is one of the Small Isles and offers a compact example of Hebridean island life accessible directly from Arisaig.
Limited luggage, booking caps, and crew guidance help manage visitor impact; follow island rules and pack out what you bring in.
Arisaig Marine Ltd operates passenger boat services and sightseeing cruises around the Small Isles, using vessels including MV Sheerwater and MV Briscoe. The company offers a mix of landing and non-landing trips that call at or sail between Arisaig, Eigg, Rum, Canna and Muck. Services include one-way island transfers (Arisaig > Eigg, Arisaig > Rum, Muck > Arisaig, Muck > Eigg, Rum > Eigg, Eigg > Arisaig) and day trips such as Canna Puffins (departures from Rum and from Canna) and Jacobite sail excursions from Arisaig. Non-landing cruises are offered aboard MV Briscoe in 1.5 hour and 3 hour formats. Passengers can choose to disembark and explore islands for set periods—typically three hours—or remain on board for extended sightseeing. Many sailings allow dogs to travel free of charge with requirements that pets stay on the deck and remain on a short lead. Several services are scheduled on specific days, for example weekday sailings listed as Tuesday, Friday or Thursday for certain routes, and seasonal runs from April to August with additional June sailings. Skippers are mentioned in trip descriptions, and safety and sightseeing are combined on historic and wildlife-focused itineraries, such as the Jacobite route through Loch nan Uamh and the puffin-focused trips near Canna. Typical crossing and cruise durations described across trips include 30 minutes, one hour, 1.5 hours, 2.25 hours, three hours and four-hour sailings, depending on route and whether landings are included.
Book with Arisaig Marine Ltd