Mallaig was founded during the 1840s when the owner of the North Morar Estate, Lord Lovat, divided a farm into parcels of land. He encouraged his tenants living around Loch Morar and Loch Nevis to resettle in what became Mallaig and establish a fishing village.
Today, Mallaig is a busy fishing port and ferry terminal with services to Skye and the Small Isles. We are here to take a 30 minute ferry ride from Mallaig to Armadale, Isle of Skye.
I think the 173 population almost doubles when the Jacobite or Hogwarts Express arrives with all its passengers. Roundtrip passengers have 1-1/2 hours to walk around, and enjoy the atmosphere before they return to Fort William.
Mallaig Restaurants
Mallaig basically has 8 restaurants, some of which serve takeaway, cakes and coffee only. The most highly rated are:
- The Bakehouse;
- Cornerstone Restaurant;
- Chlachain Inn;
- The Steam Inn;
- Terrace Restaurant;
- The Cabin;
- Tea Garden Cafe; and
- Fishmarket Restaurant.
Jaffy’s is the place to go for take-away Fish and Chips. You will see it as soon as you get off the train. The third generation has been serving fish and chips for a gazillion years, and I am told they are the best of the best in Mallaig.
The Steam Inn
We make e-mail reservations at The Steam Inn. The Steam Inn is a family run gastro pub and restaurant. They have a varied menu, staff is pleasant and obliging.
We order a starter of squid rings with yummy chili sauce and I then order fresh haddock. The haddock is crumbed in oatmeal and comes with chips (French Fries to us Americans), a gigantic serving of peas, and a small salad. Marine Steve orders Barbecue Chicken with chips.
I don’t want to hear another word about American portion sizes. The chicken dish is humungous.
TIP: I strongly suggest visiting restaurant websites to browse menus before making a decision.
Though the two of us are stuffed to infinity and behind, we manage to split a Sticky Toffee Pudding with ice cream before toddling off to bed.