Road permits for the Small Isles and Knoydart

Permit information - Amendment 2010

There is a Prohibition Order which restricts vehicular access to the Small Isles and Knoydart. This has been in place since 2003. This Order was driven and is supported by the Small Isles and Knoydart communities who wish to maintain their tranquil lifestyle as well as protecting the fragile road infrastructure.

Permit types

Resident permits (green)

If you are 'ordinarily resident' (meaning you live for at least 8 months per calendar year) on the Island of Muck, Eigg, or the Knoydart Peninsula, and you own or operate a vehicle that will be driven on any Council-managed public road, you are required to display a Resident Permit on your vehicle’s windscreen at all times.

There is no limit to the number of vehicles per property that can be registered for a resident permit under the current regulations.

Holiday home owners permits - Knoydart (green)

Non-resident holiday home owners on Knoydart are currently covered in the order; they are permitted 1 permit per year for a vehicle based at their property. These applications are available by email.

Temporary permits (red)

Exceptions are made for other essential services required to the Small Isles and Knoydart by the way of a temporary permit.

The exceptions are:

• registered contractors or utility companies carrying out work on the island
• Blue Badge holders
• emergency services or local authority (The Highland Council) vehicles
• doctors, dentist, funeral undertakers and essential vehicles in connection with a wedding
• transporting equipment for agricultural or forestry use
• licensed goods vehicle or a light goods vehicle for delivery goods, material or livestock (but not passengers or a caravan) to or from the island
• to convey essential heavy equipment which cannot be transported without the use of a vehicle for a pre-arranged community event, i.e. a pre-arranged event which has been organised by The Knoydart Foundation, The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust or The Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Ltd, and is of benefit to the community and residents, but not individual businesses of the Small Isles and Knoydart. Applications for this type of permit must be made and approved in writing by 2 officials of one of the three named representative bodies

Maintenance permit (red)

For a vehicle registered to a person who owns, but does not ordinarily reside in their property on the Isle of Eigg or Muck to carry out maintenance to their property (maximum stay of 14 days per permit - two per calendar year). Proof of status will be required along with the application form.

If you are arranging for a contractor to come over to carry out essential work, advise them that they will need to apply and collect their permit before departure. The permit disc must be displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle for the duration of the visit.

Community event permit

The Small Isles and Knoydart community event permit is designed to regulate and manage events on the isle of Eigg, Muck, and the Knoydart peninsula. Organisers planning events must apply for a community event permit.

Two signatures are required per application from authorised officials of The Knoydart Foundation, The Isle of Eigg Heritage Trust or the Isle of Muck Community Enterprise Ltd. The permit disc must be displayed on the windscreen of the vehicle for the duration of the visit.

Vehicle restrictions