Success Stories

Arisaig Marine
Connecting people with their marine heritage....

"We aim to give our passengers a memorable experience of our fantastic marine heritage and island culture."

Murdo Grant, Arisaig Marine Ltd.

The sea round Arisaig and the ‘Small Isles’ of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna has one of the richest collections of marine and other wildlife in Europe. Its waters are used by several kinds of dolphin, porpoise and whales and the islands are home to both sea and golden eagles, red deer and otters.

Arisaig Marine has been operating a summer ferry service to the Small Isles for over 25 years and provides an essential lifeline for residents as a ferry of people and provisions. Over that time they have built up a tremendous experience of the area’s wildlife and culture. This specialist knowledge allows Arisaig Marine to give visitors a great deal of ‘added value’ to their sailings and turn a boat trip into an educational adventure. The crossing is often lengthened as whales and dolphins are seen near the boat and speed is reduced to allow passengers to see these creatures and take photographs.

During the winter months Arisaig Marine are involved in various maintenance tasks. In the winter of 2001/2002 a very important project was the replacement of the company’s Small Isles ferry "Shearwater". The "Shearwater" started life as a Harbour Defence Vessel and was used in the D Day landings, she remained in active service until 1958. Murdo summed up many peoples thoughts when he said:

"The Shearwater has provided countless visitors and locals with many happy memories."

The new ferry "Sheerwater" is only three years old and has been refitted to carry 89 passengers in comfort and will give a new generation of wildlife watchers memories of their own.

  Just to the south of Arisaig is the Sound of Arisaig. This area is particularly rich in marine life and part of it has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) under the EU Habitats Directive. The designation recognises that the richness of the marine life found within the Sound of Arisaig is of international importance.

Arisaig Marine is working with Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council and other organisations to help conserve this remarkable site for future generations. For example, information leaflets about the SAC are available to visitors in the Arisaig Marine office. In this way the partners involved aim to promote, through partnership, a wiser use of the natural resources of the area in the interests of the economic and social needs of communities and the environment.

One specific way Murdo Grant is helping is through support for the Scottish Marine Wildlife Operators Association (SMWOA). This association has been set up by wildlife tour operators who take their visitors to view marine wildlife by land or by sea. It is made up of businesses who are dedicated to introducing customers to the marine wildlife of Scotland in an environmentally sustainable way. For example, Arisaig Marine will always give wildlife space and go slowly and quietly. Murdo also lets the whales, dolphins and porpoises decide if they want to come close as they very often do of their own free will.

Arisaig Marine also helps the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust by assisting this conservation charity with research into cetacean numbers and the education of visitors via the distribution of leaflets about the work of the Trust and the need for conservation of the marine environment.

Cultural links are explained at the Land, Sea and Islands Centre in the village of Arisaig and the Sheerwater complements the centre by giving visitors the opportunity to visit the islands and experience the local environment for themselves. Of particular interest are the links made between the areas wildlife and culture by the Gaelic language. For example, the island of Muck gets its name from the Gaelic "Eilean a muic" which translates to "the island of the Dolphin". The Gaelic translation of Canna means porpoise. 

The centre was opened in July 1999 on the site of a derelict smiddy as a community project. The centre has an exhibition that celebrates the social and natural history of the area through photographs and artefacts. A small shop at the Centre sells local and island crafts and cards, as well as books on natural and local history, and provides information for visitors on what to see and where to stay in the area. The Centre and Arisaig Marine are both linked via the internet. This integrated approach makes it easier for visitors to find out more about the Arisaig area.

For further information please contact:

Arisaig Marine Ltd.
Arisaig Harbour
Inverness-shire, PH39 4NH
Tel: 01687 450224
Email: info@arisaig.co.uk

Or visit the Arisaig Marine website at www.arisaig.co.uk

last updated 02 October 2002

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