But this time was different.

Megan, one of our expedition guides, was actually from Eigg. She’d grown up there, still had family on the island, and now lives in Hawaii. Thanks to her personal ties and our travel network’s commitment to responsible tourism, the island opened its arms to us, even on a Sunday.

E-Bikes, Unexpected Views & Instagram-Worthy Beaches

As soon as we got off the Zodiac, our friends waved us over. “Want to rent an e-bike?” they called. Um… yes! Within minutes, we were zipping away from the tiny pier towards the destinations recommended by Owen of Eigg Adventures. He pointed us toward scenic stops: the local church, a stunning overlook marked with a yellow box, and a beach that, in his words, would make our Instagrams very happy.

He wasn’t wrong.

We got a little lost on the way, missing the red box that was supposed to mark the beach turn-off, but even that led to more beauty. We stumbled across a modern gray home perched high with sweeping sea views. Later, we found out the owner, Ben (who Megan knew), who pointed us in the right direction, and eventually we made it to the beach—steep climb, worth every step.

At the bottom, a man sat outside his tiny seaside cottage, the red Royal Mail truck parked in front, just soaking in the view. He looked completely at peace; I couldn’t blame him.

The Brewery, the Taxi, and the Town Character

After climbing back up, we stopped at the island’s tiny brewery—opened just for us thanks to our onboard expedition lead Megan and her powers of persuasion. Stu, the brewer, welcomed us with open arms. We practically wiped him out of beer and merch. That’s when Charlie showed up.

Let me tell you about Charlie. He’s the island’s only taxi driver, a known personality, and apparently the subject of a 60 Minutes segment. He strolled into the brewery wearing a shirt with his own face on it and the words “Don’t trust this man.” He was hilarious. Later, we learned he handed our CEO a communal glass and said, “There’s whiskey in the door—pour some and pass it around.” That’s Charlie. That’s Eigg.

Local Crafts, Big Impact

Back at the pier, most shops had already closed. But one, the craft shop, stayed open. I was expecting basic souvenirs, but instead, I walked into a brand-new building filled with stunning jewelry, fine art, and photographs. The man working there (Ted?) was gracious, passionate, and deeply proud of the island and its artisans. I bought a photograph of the beach (called “Laig”, pronounced “leg”) that will hang in my house forever.

When I thanked him for the hospitality, he replied, “Today has made my year.” That hit me.

Eigg: Community-Owned, Sustainably Run, Full of Heart

Eigg is unique—not just because of its beauty, but because of its people. The island is community-owned, bought collectively by its residents in 1997. They are self-sustaining, environmentally conscious, and protective of their home, as they should be. It’s not just where they live, it’s who they are.