Motorhome up through Western Isles

[stevel]

Might be a bit late in the day for this year but would really like to travel up through Western Isles (Arran, Islay, South Uist, Harris and Lewis) coming back on to the mainland where necessary this July and/or August. Not too worried about the availability of campsites but I have more concerns about the ferries between the islands (direct and indirect via mainland) at that time of year. I don't think I would be able to book ahead by much more than a week but we would have some flexibility. Would we find it really difficult getting a ferry at that time of year? Another potential issue is our motorhome is 7.4m long.

 

[PaulC70]

Ah 7.4m you'll be paying the 6m+ new tax there then where your extra 1.4m will cost nearly as much as a 6m motorhome :-(
Personally I'd be avoiding it this year and hope that they sort out the ferries by next years, they are very much behind on the new ferries and the older ones keep breaking down.

 

[CWH]

Lots of disruption to the ferry services Steve, constant breakdowns with consequent re-routing which often means reduced capacity; and when that happens, motorhomes & campervans go to the back of the queue as we have living facilities that we carry with us. There's usually no compensation available.
Some routes are cancelled for a few weeks if not months.
The service is currently not reliable. It's fine if you have an open-ended schedule.
But you will need to book as early as possible. A few routes are turn-up-and-go but most you now have to book, and mohos aren't allowed in the standby queue.
Go to the CalMac website and click through to the Service Status page for the latest information on each route.

 

[CWH]

new tax

(Not relevant to the question I know, sorry, but it's not a new tax, it's a reduction in subsidy.)

 

[PaulC70]

(Not relevant to the question I know, sorry, but it's not a new tax, it's a reduction in subsidy.)

Indeed, but only for those more than 6m

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[CWH]

Indeed, but only for those more than 6m

Sure; because they were more heavily subsidised. <6m are usually local or trade and imo shouldn't be subsidising tourist trade. HGV's have their own troubles.

 

[DavidG58]

We have done the western isles and Arran and Islay in our 8.2m motorhome, no issues there

But check your routes, there is no ferry from Islay north , you have to return to the mull of kintyre and drive a long way to Oban

The ferry to Islay and out to the western isles is a long crossing and expensive

Worth it though but not maybe in a single trip to all of them

 

[Gellyneck]

As PaulC70 and CWH say I'd give it a miss this year given the unreliability of service.
Even made a lead article on Jeremy Vine Radio 2 show yesterday!

 

[Otter Spotter]

Trying to book ferries within 2 weeks of journey will be nigh on impossible as any cancellations will be offered to Locals with CalMac already banning Motorhomes from some ferries, see my other thread Broken Link Removed

Personally I have decided to not visit the Western Isles both Inner and Outer Hebrides for this year because of the hit and miss management by CalMac.

 

[WillH]

I agree with most of the above posts, the ferries are no longer reliable. This will be the situation until well into next year.

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[EuroTrotters]

Our friends live on Islay. I am on the website trying now. But limited Availability

 

[CWH]

CalMac already banning Motorhomes from some ferries

an isolated incident where repairs were needed to decking; it lasted just a few hours

 

[Gellyneck]

Our friends live on Islay. I am on the website trying now. But limited Availability

Think the LOTI, which normally serves South Uist, has been transferred to run the Islay route giving the issues being touched on here Broken Link Removed as the normal vessel, Finlaggan, is in for service. The LOTI is smaller than Finlaggan.

 

[Otter Spotter]

an isolated incident where repairs were needed to decking; it lasted just a few hours

Done it once, they will do it again I have sympathy for the Islanders.

 

[CWH]

Done it once, they will do it again I have sympathy for the Islanders.

In the case of MV Hebrides I don't see what option they had - the deck was broken, they had to move 18 cars somewhere, the only way to transport the cars (islanders or tourists) was to remove people travelling with their own accommodation ie motorhomes. They fixed the deck and opened up to all travellers.

The problem is not with CalMac. The problem is years of underinvestment and consequent lack of maintenance. The fleet is well past its use-by date. Limited resources (in this case, space) requires compromise and prioritisation. Islanders must have priority over tourists, and safety has to have priority over capacity. CalMac staff are trying to deal with the mess they're presented with and have no option but to move vessels between routes, which often reduces capacity. The compromise then has to be with those travelling for leisure and those taking up more than average space. The ferries are designated a LIFELINE service; any additional usage is a bonus, not a right.

Don't get me wrong: I agree the whole situation is an absolute shambles and a disgrace, and the government's mismanagement is causing awful problems and in some cases real hardship.

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[Otter Spotter]

In the case of MV Hebrides I don't see what option they had - the deck was broken, they had to move 18 cars somewhere, the only way to transport the cars (islanders or tourists) was to remove people travelling with their own accommodation ie motorhomes. They fixed the deck and opened up to all travellers.

The problem is not with CalMac. The problem is years of underinvestment and consequent lack of maintenance. The fleet is well past its use-by date. Limited resources (in this case, space) requires compromise and prioritisation. Islanders must have priority over tourists, and safety has to have priority over capacity. CalMac staff are trying to deal with the mess they're presented with and have no option but to move vessels between routes, which often reduces capacity. The compromise then has to be with those travelling for leisure and those taking up more than average space. The ferries are designated a LIFELINE service; any additional usage is a bonus, not a right.

Don't get me wrong: I agree the whole situation is an absolute shambles and a disgrace, and the government's mismanagement is causing awful problems and in some cases real hardship.

Fully understand this and agree with you.
I was affected earlier this year when we travelled up to Harris and Lewis for a photo workshop I think I paid £120 for the return tickets, but because the Uig terminal wasn’t finished for our trip over we had to shoot over from Broadford to Ullapool and Calmac paid us £85 compensation for our trouble.
I believe that money came from CalMac not CMAL so would not have had a direct effect on whether new ships could be afforded as some have suggested.

I will be glad when the new ships arrive and are working fine then the islands can settle down and we can all enjoy each others company, scenery and food without all the aggravation.

We haven’t decided on where we are going for our main trip this year, Shetland is out so is the Outer Hebrides, Dee fancies Dumfries and Galloway, I cannot make my mind up, I fancy Skye and Mull and the West coast but July and August isn’t the best time for either island if you like peace and tranquility and of course, no Midges

 

[CWH]

My neighbour did the same photo course you were on (maybe not the same date) and I think he enjoyed it as much as you did, I remember your posts about it. (And about the dash to Ullapool!)
I'm pleased you got your compensation, not everybody does. The Uig terminal thing was due to the weather: we'd had two 2-week periods of serious and unusually cold weather that meant that no work could be done; the roads were all-but undriveable; we all basically hunkered down in front of the fire. (Of course the terminal was only half-finished and will have to be closed again this winter for completion.)

I believe that money came from CalMac not CMAL so would not have had a direct effect on whether new ships could be afforded as some have suggested.

It all comes from taxpayers' pockets anyway, whether CalMac or CMAL, as does the massive overspend on Glen Sannox and Hull 802, and all the knock-on effects/ delays on current vessels and their passengers. The boats being built in Turkey seem to be on track though. "We" are paying £1m a month rent for MV Alfred!

I will be glad when the new ships arrive and are working fine then the islands can settle down

I fear they will only be taking up the slack while older vessels are being refurbed, repaired, or otherwise out of action! (me, cynical? )

We haven’t decided on where we are going for our main trip this year, Shetland is out so is the Outer Hebrides, Dee fancies Dumfries and Galloway, I cannot make my mind up, I fancy Skye and Mull and the West coast but July and August isn’t the best time for either island if you like peace and tranquility and of course, no Midges

D&G is lovely, though very different from Highland.
I tend to go south (ie england) in July for a Funsters' meet and a bit of a potter around. It's nice (if a bit scary) to occasionally see a few shops, a town, and two-way traffic!
I'm over to Leòdhas agus Na Hearadh tomorrow, if the gods are sailing with me ..... (fortunately it's only about an hour's drive home if they turn me away or the engine room catches fire again! )

 

[Revolvor]

We have just travelled Uig - Tarbert and return. We were impressed. Ferries were on time. My wife has difficulty walking far so I mentioned this when booking. At Uig we were loaded first. Had to put our hazard lights on. Directed to the bow, right by the lift. A staff member was waiting to assist us to the lift and even pressed the button for us!

There was a lady waiting at the top who escorted us to our seats. We had similar on the return too.

The café was good - especially the mac-n-cheese!

The only mechanical problem was that the coffee machine got blocked on the return trip.

 

[Jammi]

We’ve just returned too (met Revolvor in the ferry queue on the way over!)
I was slightly worried what with all the recent news about Calmac. But all was well.
Very pleasant crossing, helpful staff and all running smoothly and on time.

 

[Revolvor]

We’ve just returned too (met Revolvor in the ferry queue on the way over!)
I was slightly worried what with all the recent news about Calmac. But all was well.
Very pleasant crossing, helpful staff and all running smoothly and on time.

It was good to meet you two - and your lovely dog! I hope you enjoyed your time on Harris and Lewis. We certainly did.

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