Things to do on the Small Isles with children

Wondering what there is to do on the Small Isles with children?

There are no manufactured attractions here. Much of the fun comes from being outdoors: finding cowries, watching seabirds, making sand sing, spotting animal tracks or seeing what happens when you take a compass up Compass Hill.

Here are a few ideas for exploring the Small Isles with primary-school-aged children. What is available will vary by island and season, so use this guide as a starting point and check opening times, activity availability and local information before setting out.

Things to do with children on Muck

Muck is the smallest of the four Small Isles and much of the island is a working farm. Its beaches, wildlife and relatively compact size give families plenty to explore.

• Hunt for cowries at Shell Bay

See who can find the first tiny cowrie shell among the sand and stones at Shell Bay. These glossy little shells were once used as currency in different parts of the world and make a satisfying island treasure hunt. Please take only a few shells and leave living creatures and occupied shells where you find them.

• Paddle at Gallanach Bay

The pale sand and clear water at Gallanach Bay make it a beautiful place for paddling, picnicking and playing by the shore. As with any beach, children should be supervised and local conditions checked before entering the water.

• Explore Muck’s rock pools

At low tide, look carefully in the rock pools for small crabs, anemones, shells and other marine life.

• See life on a working farm

The landscape children see on Muck is also a place of work. Spring can be an especially interesting time to visit, when lambing is under way. Remember to keep dogs under close control, avoid disturbing livestock and follow any local signs or requests.

• Look for wildlife

Bring binoculars and watch for seals, seabirds and other wildlife around Muck’s shoreline. A wildlife or bird identification book can turn a walk into a family spotting challenge.

• Events

Depending on when you visit, you may also find a ceilidh, raft race or another community event taking place.

Things to do with children on Eigg

From singing sand and rock pools to cycling and paddleboarding, Eigg offers plenty of choices for active families.

• Make the sand sing at the Singing Sands

Walk or shuffle across the dry quartz sand and listen carefully. In the right conditions, the beach makes a distinctive squeaking or singing sound beneath your feet. The beach is reached on foot or by bike and has beautiful views towards Rum.

• Explore Laig Bay

Laig Bay is a good place for a picnic, beach games and rock-pool exploring. Children can search for shells, examine patterns in the sand and look across the water towards the Rùm Cuillin.

• Explore Eigg by bike

Families can hire bikes from Eigg Adventures and travel farther across the island. Book in advance.

• Try paddleboarding

Eigg Guiding offers paddleboarding sessions when conditions allow. Contact them before your visit to ask about availability, age requirements and what to bring.

• Join a wildlife walk

Look out for guided walks and family activities led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust ranger. These can help children learn more about Eigg’s wildlife, habitats and changing seasons.

• Walk to Grulin or climb An Sgùrr

Families with older children could walk to the abandoned crofting settlement of Grulin. An Sgùrr, Eigg’s distinctive pitchstone ridge, offers a more demanding walk for suitably experienced and prepared families. You can book a guided walk with Eigg Guiding.

Things to do with children on Rum

Rum is the largest of the Small Isles and a National Nature Reserve. Families can discover its wildlife, history and landscape without venturing far from Kinloch.

• Walk to the otter hide

Follow the nature trail from Kinloch to the otter hide and settle down quietly to see what appears. Otters cannot be guaranteed, but the walk offers other opportunities to look for birds, tracks and signs of wildlife.

• Go wildlife spotting

Pack binoculars and encourage children to keep a list of what they see. Look along the shoreline, in the woodland and over the hills for seabirds, deer and birds of prey.

If you visit during October, you may hear the distinctive roars of red deer during the annual rut. Watch and listen from a safe distance without approaching or disturbing the animals.

• Visit the Heritage Centre

Rum’s Heritage Centre introduces visitors to the island’s people, natural history and changing way of life. Open 24 hrs a day.

• Explore Kinloch

The paths around Kinloch offer family-friendly opportunities to explore the village and shoreline. Look for shells, animal tracks and seabirds, or turn your walk into a photographic scavenger hunt.

Things to do with children on Canna and Sanday

Canna and neighbouring Sanday are linked by a bridge, allowing families to explore two islands during their stay.

• Test your compass on Compass Hill

Compass Hill contains magnetic rock that can cause compass readings to behave unexpectedly. Take a compass with you and see what happens as you climb.

The walk crosses uneven ground, so check the route and weather and make sure it is suitable for everyone in your family.

• Follow the Puffin Trail on Sanday

From late April into July, families can follow the trail across Sanday towards the sea stacks at Dùn Mòr, where puffins nest. The birds are viewed from the land rather than approached. Bring binoculars, keep children away from cliff edges and follow local guidance to avoid disturbing nesting seabirds.

• Find the Punishment Stone

Search for the Punishment Stone and discover its rather gruesome history. According to island tradition, people being punished had their thumbs wedged into the hole in the stone.

• Play on Sanday’s beach

Stop at the sandy beach on Sanday to paddle, build sandcastles or examine what the tide has left behind.

• Join Canna Nature Festival

Canna Nature Festival brings together wildlife walks, talks and family activities. The programme changes from year to year, so follow Canna_NTS on Instagram for the latest dates and information.

• Visit the community shop

Call in at the community shop for supplies and locally made souvenirs. Canna’s community shop is an honesty shop, open 24 hours a day.

Join an island event

Community events can become some of the most memorable parts of a family visit. Depending on the island and time of year, these might include:

• raft races

• beach barbecues

• Fèis Eige

• the Small Isles Games

• Canna Nature Festival

• ceilidhs and live music

• Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations

Events and dates vary from year to year. Check island noticeboards and local social-media pages during your stay, and ask locally about anything that may be taking place.

What can families do on rainy days and dark nights?

Rain does not necessarily mean losing a day. Pack waterproofs and make the most of short walks, rock pools and shoreline searches when conditions are safe.

You may also be able to:

• find books or games in a community space

• browse craft shops and honesty stalls

• keep a family nature journal

• draw or photograph the things you have found

• play cards or games in your accommodation

• wrap up warmly and go stargazing

  
  

Away from large towns and cities, the Small Isles have exceptionally dark skies. On a clear night, families may see the Milky Way, familiar constellations and, when conditions are right, the Northern Lights. Rum is recognised as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary.