main entrance into Gordon Street, turn right (east) along Gordon Street, continue across Union Street and Mitchell Street into Buchanan Street. Turn left (north) and continue until you reach St Vincent Place. Cross St Vincent Place here, turn right and follow the left-hand (north) side of St Vincent Place till you reach George Square. Turn left and continue to the crossing on West George Street. Cross West George Street and continue up a slight slope and then steps into the Queen Street station concourse.)
The Small Isles are usually accessed from Mallaig. Coll and Tiree are reached by ferry from Oban.
Glasgow to Mallaig
By train
The direct service between Glasgow Queen Street and Mallaig takes 5hrs 20mins. The train connects with the Saturday afternoon sailing in summer. Take the train the previous evening to connect with the early ferries. Alternatively, it is possible to take the train from Fort William to Mallaig to connect with some ferry crossings on the morning of departure. See www.scotrail.co.uk for timetable information.
By road
Take the A82 from Glasgow (or the Erskine Bridge, if bypassing Glasgow on the M8) towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Keep to the A82 until Fort William. From Fort William, continue west along the A830 to Mallaig. The drive takes around 3½–4hrs. Long stay parking is available free of charge around the bay in Mallaig.
By bus
Scottish Citylink operates a coach service between Glasgow and Mallaig, changing at Fort William, taking around 5hrs. Travel to Mallaig the evening before to make the early morning ferry. Alternatively, it is possible to take the coach from Fort William to Mallaig to connect with the ferry on the morning of departure. Consult the relevant timetables at www.citylink.co.uk or contact the travel centre at Buchanan Street Bus Station on 0141 332 7133.
Glasgow to Oban
By train
The direct train service between Glasgow Queen Street and Oban takes around 3hrs 5mins. Except for the Tuesday service in summer, it is necessary to take the train to Oban the previous evening to make the early ferry departure. See www.scotrail.co.uk for timetable information.
By road
Take the A82 from Glasgow (or the Erskine Bridge, if bypassing Glasgow on the M8) towards Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Keep to the A82 until Tyndrum. At Tyndrum head west along the A85, passing through Dalmally then along the north shore of Loch Awe, through Taynuilt and along the south shore of Loch Etive before arriving at Oban in around 2½–3hrs.
By bus
Scottish Citylink Coaches operates an extensive bus service between Glasgow and Oban that takes around 3hrs. Except for the Tuesday service in summer, it is necessary to take the coach to Oban the previous evening to make the early morning ferry departure. Consult the relevant timetables at www.citylink.co.uk or contact the Travel Centre at Buchanan Street Bus Station on 0141 332 7133.
Boarding the MV Lochnevis, Canna
Caledonian MacBrayne operates the principal ferry service from Mallaig to Rum and the Small Isles every day except Sunday, year round.
Ferries and flights
Rum
In summer there is one crossing a day Monday–Thursday, with two crossings on Friday and Saturday. In winter there is one crossing a day. The crossing takes 1hr 15mins direct, 3hrs 40mins via Eigg and Muck and 3hrs 20mins via Canna.
Eigg
In summer there is one crossing a day to Eigg Monday–Friday (no sailing on Wednesdays) with two crossings on Saturdays. In winter there is one crossing a day with no crossings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The crossing takes 1hr 20mins direct and up to 5hrs via Canna, Rum and Muck.
Muck
In summer there is one crossing a day to Muck on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and two crossings on Saturdays. In winter there is one crossing a day on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The crossing takes 2hrs via Eigg and 4hrs 50mins via Canna and Rum.
Canna
The dramatic cliff top of Am Beannan on Canna with north-west Rum beyond (Walk 10)
In summer there is one crossing a day to Canna on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and two crossings on Saturdays. In winter there is one crossing a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only. The crossing takes 2hrs 5mins direct and 3hrs 55mins via Eigg and Rum.
There are various crossings between the islands on the outward and inward sailings from and to Mallaig. Visit www.calmac.co.uk for timetable details or call the port office in Mallaig on 01687 462403. Bicycles are carried free of charge. Cars are only permitted for residents.
A ferry service is also run by Arisaig Marine, which operates the MV Sheerwater between Arisaig and the Small Isles during the summer months. For details visit www.arisaig.co.uk or call 01687 450224.
AquaXplore operate a fast RIB (rigid inflatable boat) service from Elgol on Skye to Rum and Canna. Advance booking recommended. Tel 01471 866244.
Coll and Tiree
Caledonian MacBrayne operates the car ferry service between Oban, Arinagour (Coll) and Scarinish (Tiree). There is one crossing each day in summer, Monday–Sunday, with an extra service from Barra in the Outer Hebrides on Thursdays. In winter the service is reduced to one crossing a day on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays only. You can also take the ferry between Coll and Tiree, which is a journey of around an hour.
The crossing from Oban to Coll takes between 2½hrs and 3hrs (depending on the vessel).
The crossing from Oban to Tiree goes via Coll and takes between 3½hrs and 4hrs (depending on the vessel).
Check the Caledonian MacBrayne website – www.calmac.co.uk – for timetables or call the port office at Oban on 01631 566688.
Flybe fly to and from Tiree from Glasgow Airport every day except Sunday; flights take approximately 50mins: www.flybe.com. Hebridean Airways fly to and from Tiree from Connel Airport near Oban on Monday, Wednesday and some Fridays. Flights take 35mins direct or 1hr via Colonsay: www.hebrideanair.co.uk, or Tel 01236 780120.
Maps, route finding and access
Heading north-east along the coast of Rum, Bloodstone Hill in the background (Walk 3, Day 3)
This guidebook includes detailed descriptions of 16 coastal and hill
