Calmac ferry worries

[chelsea1]

We are planning ahead to a 3 week tour of the Outer Hebrides and had some questions about the ferry. I am not a good traveller (car, plane or boat) and I know how bad the weather can be in this region. Planning to drive to Skye (Uig) and ferry across to Tarbert.

I haven't been on a ferry since school and wondered what type of ferries they are... I can vaguely remember on a ferry to Holland once that the car deck was so jammed packed that you hardly had room to get out of your vehicle to get onto the passenger decks, are these ferries the same?

Has anyone travelled on one in really bad weather?

Also a bit puzzled about their dog ruling....it's a bit contradictory saying they allow pets in "designated" areas for dogs and in the next sentence it says "leave in your car". We will be in a motorhome so really don't want to leave the dog inside.

Any comments/tips regarding the ferry much appreciated!

 

[ed1]

hello chelsea..

we should have done the same trip last year but unfortunately didnt..all i can comment on is the dog issue how i saw it..i emailed calmac with regard to the confusing information, and they replied with each boat has a different policy, so i thought i would ring direct...i spoke to a very lovely but very annoying man, who kept saying they would prefer if you left the dogs in the car, but i pointed out that there were designated areas for dogs, but he would not confirm we could take them on deck, and as we then had 2 old english sheepdogs i was not prepared to leave them in the car...so didnt book, but as i said couldnt make the trip anyway, but did have a conversation with a lady at one of the camp sites on western isles and she said some get round it by going on as a foot passenger...we should be taking the trip in august this year, and have no intention of leaving the now 1 dog in the car...so i would be interested how you go on, both with the ferry, and the trip, hope you enjoy it...( we have friends on south uist and they do the 5 hour trip from oban with 3 dogs on deck, and have no problems, )

 

[BobC]

Hi, what time of year are you travelling?? Weather does vary a lot, and obviously sea state can become a bit rough in Winter, but in Summer I wouldn't worry too much; if it's too rough they won't sail! Not so much worried about sinking, but that they can't dock! Sit as low down as possible and as central as possible to minimise roll, and have a cuppa..

Calmac ferries are different on almost each route; phone the departing terminal and they will be helpful I find. On arrival at terminal chat to the guy on dock, he will set you right. None of the ships are brand new, but most are reasonably good.

As to how busy or how much space - depends on time of year and time or day or week. Usually early or late sailings are full, mid day are quieter, but crew are used to sorting everyone out. As well as tourists the ferries are the main highway for commerce and commuting.

I have seen dogs on Mull and Arran crossings on deck. If the sailing is busy it can be a nuisance if owners don't keep them close.

Have a great time.

 

[dougie201]

Hi Chelsea.

Dont worry about Calmac ferries, if sea is to rough they DONOT SAIL. For safety reasons and docking problems. If you are sailing from Uig in north Skye there is a good chance the ship will not be full but do suggest that you book. I have sailed with calmac for 40 years and there personnel are excellent. The ferry on this route is not massive but not small, if memory is correct i think it can carry around 80 vehicles. As for your dogs they may have to stay in car during journey, but suggest you check at terminal when you arrive there. As you know on a car ferry there is no dog walking areas!!. The designated area could be your vehicle like it or not.

Hope this has been a help.

Dougie..........

 

[Mel]

Chelsea, you don't say how old you are so I can't tell how long ago school was. Judging by your name my guess would be that you are no more than 35, but almost certainly younger than me! (abject apologies for any presumption on my part). I haven't travelled on Calmac but generally ferries are massively improved from even 10 years ago. Much more comfy, better equipped and more passenger friendly. Of course there is nothing they can do about Mal de mer, but the advice to stay in the centre of the ship is good. Some folks rate the wrist pressure bands you can get from Boots. Not tried them myself as I'm generally not too bad. Hope you and your dogs have a lovely time.

mel

 

[Barkas]

Hi chelsea. As from last year The Scottish Parliament use the RET or Road Equivalent Tariff on all ferries to the western Isles, this means reductions of 25% in the fares for all vehicles using their ferries as they were the most expensive ferries in Europe mile for mile. The RET scheme started last year , and as a result huge numbers of caravans and motor homes visited the western isles taking advantage of the reduced fares, as a result locals complained about hundreds of vans being parked in every available spot across the island as there are few designated areas and the roads were swamped with tourist traffic setting up on grassy knolls so be aware of that in high season, I would recommend spring or autumn for a off peak visit.