The Ultimate Mingulay Travel Guide (2026)
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Wondering whether Isle of Mingulay is worth visiting? Then this post is for you.
There is not much information on Mingulay. What does the island look like? Should you book a day trip? To save you time in trying to piece together the information from many different websites I put together this post after a recent visit.
Let me right away give the answer to the question whether a day trip is worth it: Yes, it is! It will likely be one of the most memorable experiences you will have in the Outer Hebrides.
The scenery is incredibly varied. On one side is green hills and a large sandy beach, on the other side are sheer cliffs plummeting into the sea. But the best thing of all, are the puffins.
There is a whole section below on when to go to see the puffins and how to get the best views of them.
Where is Mingulay Island?
Far south in the Outer Hebrides is the small island of Mingulay. Scotland has many islands where life has become too hard for people to live and this is another example.
Today, nobody lives on the island but it is a great day trip from Barra or South Uist.
The two markers on the map shows:
- Mingulay Beach
- Where to see the puffins
What Time of Year to Visit?
“Puffin season” is the best time of year to visit. The puffins arrive between late April and early May.
Exactly when they leave depends on the weather and when the pufflings are strong enough to fly out over the Atlantic Ocean.
They normally start leaving during the second half of July. By the second week of August they will all be gone.
When it comes to weather the summer is the best time to visit.
Visiting between April and end of September you have a higher chance of nice weather – just be aware that in Scotland “nice weather” means “no rain”, not “blue sky”.
Pack suitable clothing for rain and wind since there is nowhere to shelter on the island.
How Do You Get To Mingulay?
The only way to get to Mingulay island is by boat. Most people join an organised boat trip from Barra or Isle of Eriskay.
A trip to Mingulay is one of the best things to do in Barra. It is also one the top things to in South Uist and one of the best activities on North Uist.
Whether you are staying in a hotel in North Uist or accommodation on Eriskay and South Uist this should be on your list of things to do.
If arriving on your own boat you can moor in the bay in front of the main sandy beach on the eastern side of the island.
Should I Book in Advance?
Yes, you should book in advance. Trips to Mingulay often sell out in high season. Unfortunately this means taking a gamble on the weather.
Keep in mind that the weather forecast in this part of the world is not the most reliable. Even if BBC weather says it is going to rain, it might not.
The weather changes quickly and clouds and rain sometimes blow over the island. As the saying goes, “if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes”. Nowhere is this more true than on Mingulay.
What to Expect From a Boat Trip?
- There is no entrance fee to Mingulay
- Boats are for up to 12 people
- It takes one hour by boat to get to Mingulay. The final landing is made by tender
- You will have 3 hours on the island to explore
- When the sea is calm enough boats take a route back exploring the sea cliffs on the western side of the island. This means that the return takes between 1.5 and 2 hours
In high season at least two boats from different operators travel to the island on the same day.
The good thing is that they don’t arrive on the island at the same time. Therefore you are likely to only share the island and the puffins with your own group.
From Barra boats leave from Castlebay and trips are operated by Mingulay Boat Trips and Hebridean Sea Tours.
From Eriskay boats leave from Eriskay floating dock and trips are operated by South Uist Sea Tours.
Eriskay is connected to all the islands up to Isle of Berneray by causeways so getting the boat from Eriskay is convenient.
Are There Toilet Facilities on Mingulay?
The boats have toilets but there are none on the island.
How Rough Is the Sea?
Mingulay is often sold as the “near St Kilda” given the much shorter boat trip. That is true but the sea can get rough here as well.
When travelling to St Kilda you are on the Atlantic Ocean so there are often big swells. Travelling to Mingulay you have the islands of the Outer Hebrides protecting you against the large swells – but the sea can still be rough.
The good thing is it is a much shorter journey to Mingulay. The journey to Mingulay takes 1 hour whilst it takes 3 hours to St Kilda.
When the sea is calm enough boats take a route back exploring the sea cliffs on the western side of the island. This means that the return takes between 1.5 and 2 hours depending on what wildlife you see on the way.
What to Bring With You?
Day trips only include the boat services to and from the island. Everything you want to eat or drink during the day you will need to bring with you. There are no shops on the island.
- Waterproof/windproof jacket (and trousers, depending on the weather forecast)
- Appropriate footwear
- Lunch
- Water
- Camera
- Binoculars
Wildlife
Puffins
Mingulay is one of the best places in Scotland to see puffins since you can get close to them on land.
Two other places in the Outer Hebrides that have puffins are the Shiants and St Kilda.
On the Shiants you can only see them bobbing on the water or on land from a distance (by boat).
St Kilda has one of the largest puffin colonies in the UK but you don’t get the same close-up views as you do on Mingulay. A trip here to St Kilda is more about the scenery and the history of the islands.
When Is Puffin Season?
Puffins arrive at the end of April or early May. At some point, in late July or August, they fly off and don’t come back until next year. Visit between May and mid-July to ensure you see the puffins.
Where to Find the Puffins
Boats moor in front of the large sandy beach on the eastern side of the island. The puffin colony is on the northern end of this beach (standing on the beach looking out to sea it is on the left).
A clear path runs at the back of the beach and up to the burrows.
Continue walking until you see a couple of metal gates as shown in the photo below. The gates have been put up to protect the puffins from bird flu.
I was a bit worried they would block the views but they don’t. You still get very close to the burrows and the birds.
The best place to see the puffins is next to the final gate. This is also where the path stops. Should you want to look up the location in advance it is close to the what3words location of expose.relies.beards.
Tips for Getting the Best Views of the Puffins?
I found the best viewing time was before the rest of the group from the boat arrived and after they had left.
Some of the puffins are quite nervous. They can be reluctant to enter or exit the burrows closest to you when there are lots of people around.
When there was a group of people present, one bird kept on landing, hopping a bit closer, surveying the area, and then hopping away again. When most people left and I sat down it finally dared to come closer. It came down to its burrow right in front of me.
Patience will be rewarded with close-up views of the puffins.
Interesting Puffin Facts
- They only have their large, colourful beaks in breeding season. During the winter their beaks reduce in size. Puffin season on Mingulay is breeding season so they all have the large, colourful beaks which everyone associates with puffins
- A group of puffins is called a circus. This is a fitting name when you watch them fly overhead, crash land close to their burrows and hear them honk
- The Latin name for puffins means ‘little brother of the north’. This is because the black and white pattern of their feathers look like the clothing of a certain order of monks
- Only 10% of puffins are found in the UK. The rest are mainly found in Iceland and Norway (80%)
- Puffins can dive down to 60 metres to catch sand eels
- When watching the puffins, you might start to wonder how they can collect all those sand eels in their beak. They have serrated beaks and therefore can hold several fish at once before making the trip back to the nest
- A bit of a sad fact to end on but the number of puffins are expected to decline by 90% over the next 30 years. That is because they are impacted by climate change and over-fishing
Golden Eagles
Of the circa 400 pairs of golden eagles in Scotland, 90 live in the Outer Hebrides. They are a rare sight but during our trip a couple of the group saw one.
The best way to see them is by scanning the skies above the hills. They normally soar high above the ridges.
White Tailed Eagles
White tailed eagles are also called sea eagles. They are much easier to see than golden eagles.
In the summer months they mainly feed on fish, sea birds or steal food from otters.
A trip to Mingulay, the Shiants Islands or St Kilda gives you a very good chance of seeing one.
Seals
Travelling to the western side of the island by boat you are very likely to see seals.
There are no large seal colonies but normally a couple of seals will be basking on the rocks or bobbing in the water.
The ferry from Eriskay to Barra is a more reliable way to see seals. On the journey you pass close to a large colony outside the harbour at Ardmhor.
Dolphins
Dolphins are seen fairly often on boat trips. Having said that, don’t come expecting to see any.
Dolphins are easiest to spot when the sea is calm and their breaching the surface is more visible.
If dolphins are what you want to see keep a look out when getting the ferry to the Outer Hebrides. Dolphins are often seen on these journeys.
In the past I have had particularly good sightings when travelling to ferry from Skye to Harris and when taking the ferry to North Uist.
Basking Sharks and Other Whales
You might hear about people having up close sightings of basking sharks. It is a possibility but it is very rare.
The same goes for sightings of other whales but minke are one of more more common to be seen in the area.
Don’t expect whales or dolphins on your trip. Any sighting of these animals is a bonus.
Other Things to See and Do on the Island
Mingulay Beach
You can’t miss the beach since it is where the boats moor. This beach is not often mentioned when reading about the best beaches in the Outer Hebrides, but it should be.
From the puffin burrows you get one of the best views of the beach. Looking down on the bay you can see the full length of the beach.
Hiking
There are lots of hills to climb but no paths so just aim for the top. Hecla is the tallest hill at 273 metres. Or climb the second tallest which is called Macphee’s Hill.
Macphee’s Hill has an interesting story on how it got its name: between the 15th and 19th Century Mingulay was owned by the MacNeils, who also owned Barra.
When locals stopped making the journey from Mingulay to Barra the chief of MacNeils was wondering why.
He sent a group of men to investigate. A young boy was sent ashore to see what had happened.
Walking around the village he found dead people in every house he entered. In distress he shouted to the others “they are all dead!”
Rather than being rewarded for his bravery the other men feared a plague would break out and immediately set sail, leaving the young boy on the island to fend for himself.
By eating sheep and shellfish some stories say he survived for a year, others for six weeks.
After being rescued by his father the family was allowed to live rent free on Mingulay and together they rebuilt the village.
They also gave their name to the second highest hill, Macphee’s Hill. Whilst stranded, the story says the boy climbed the hill every day to look for ships coming to rescue him.
Village Ruins
After the island was abandoned in 1912 the 28 old stone houses in the village have gradually been reclaimed by the land. They are located where the beach goes the furthest in.
Today they are difficult to spot unless you are specifically looking for them.
The schoolhouse and chapel are the only two houses that are still standing. They are above the beach on the eastern side (the opposite direction to the puffins).
The chapel has since lost its roof and front wall but the views out to sea from here are fantastic.
History of Mingulay
The MacNeils of Barra owned the island until 1840 when it was sold to Colonel John Gordon of Cluny Aberdeenshire.
He is remembered for his lack of concern for his tenants. Many were evicted to create sheep farms, a period often described as the “highland clearance”.
Strangely enough this had a positive effect on Mingulay. Families evicted from Barra would rather resettle here than go to North America.
At its peak in 1881, 150 people lived on Mingulay. It was a thriving village with 28 houses. Islanders lived off fishing, agriculture and livestock with early crofters having sheep, cattle, ponies, chickens and pigs.
The island would have felt less remote then than it does today. Inhabitants worked in the herring industry on the east coast of Scotland and the fish was sold in Glasgow and Ireland. Food was regularly brought in from the mainland.
However, in the 20th Century life gradually got more difficult and people started leaving in 1907. The last few families left in 1912 when the population had become so small it was no longer viable.
Some of the islanders went to Barra, others to Island of Vatersay. A big legal case followed when the landlord tried to evict these new squatters. At Eorasdail on Vatersay you can still see the ruins of the houses the fishermen from Mingulay built.
Between being abandoned in 1912 and the National Trust of Scotland taking ownership in 2000 the island went through many different owners.
It came into National Trust ownership through a bequest by Mr Fawcitt. He wanted to preserve the area of natural beauty, which is exactly what it is today.
FAQ
Can you visit Mingulay?
Yes, you can visit Mingulay by boat. Day trips are available from Barra and Eriskay. You get 3 hours on the island. When the weather permit boats also visit the western side of the islands to see the sea cliffs.
Can I bring my dog with me to Mingulay?
It depends on the boat company you are going with. Most companies do not allow dogs onboard their boats.
Are there puffins on Mingulay?
Yes, there are puffins on Mingulay at certain times of year. Puffins start arriving in late April or early May and fly off in late July or early August. May to mid-July is the best time to visit to see puffins.
Does anyone live on Mingulay?
After 2000 years of people living on Mingulay it has been uninhabited by Gaelic speakers since 1912. The only person who has lived on Mingulay since then was one of the later owners. He was a sheep farmer and lived here for seven years from 1919-1926.
Why was Mingulay abandoned?
Mingulay was abandoned because life became too hard. The population peaked in 1881 at 150 people and it is believed the island had more people than the land could sustain. The combination of long periods of bad weather and no sheltered harbour meant people started to leave in the 1900s.
Who owns the island of Mingulay?
Since 2000 National Trust of Scotland has owned Mingulay. From the 15th to the 19th Century it was owned by the MacNeils of Barra who also owned most of Barra. Through the 20th Century it had several owners before being left to the National Trust of Scotland through a bequest.
How tall are the cliffs on Mingulay?
The cliffs on the western side of Mingulay are up to 215 metres tall. They can only be seen from a boat and most day trips include a trip to this side of the island. On the cliffs are nesting kittiwakes, razorbills, guillemots and puffins.
How big is Mingulay?
Mingulay is a small island. It is 4 km long and 2.5 km wide.
What does Mingulay mean?
Mingulay means “Big Island”. It comes from the old Norse name of Mikil-ay which became the Gaelic name of Miughalaigh.
Who erote the Mingulay boat song?
Sir Hugh S Roberton wrote the Mingulay Boat Song. It is a traditional Gaelic rowing song. The lyrics are about fishermen sailing home to their families who are waiting for them on Mingulay.
Final Thoughts
Mingulay is often called “near St Kilda” and trips are advertised as being for people who want to experience a remote and uninhabited island without the long boat journey. This is completely underselling this fantastic island!
Mingulay is very much worth a trip in its own right, not just because it is a shorter boat trip. I would even go as far as saying that this is a hidden gem. St Kilda has become very popular but far fewer people visit Mingulay.
The up-close views of the puffins and the varied scenery makes this one of the most interesting islands to explore in the Outer Hebrides.
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