Hello! I am hoping you wise people can help me please. We are supposed to go by Calmac ferry from Uig, Skye to Tarbert, Harris May 9 and then May 16 from Stornaway, Lewis to Ullapool. I’m just reading about all the Calmac disruptions. Thank you for posting about them!!! It looks like from the current service updates the ferries we are on could be okay but I imagine the significant disruptions could continue. I’m in Canada and it’s hard to understand from this distance the state of things. I wonder if we should radically prepare to change our plans or could things work out?
Our accommodation on Harris is non refundable. We are staying in Portree the week before we are supposed to go to Tarbert for a week.
I am new on this forum and have been reading a lot of old posts which have really helped to plan our trip. I am very grateful for your advice!
Posted by
Lake District, England
11660 posts
As of today the MV Hebrides (the normal route vessel for the Uig triangle) is expected back on service on 18 April, which will remove that problem.
If something goes drastically wrong in the next week and they are still only running to Lochmaddy (Uist) then, subject to ship capacity, you could go from Lochmaddy to Berneray for the ferry to Leverburgh on Harris.
But currently we have to believe the Hebrides will be back, and there is 3 weeks after 18 April to get over any issues.
The only proviso is that serving Tarbert again rests on finding a ship for Lochboisdale, South Uist, but that is meant to allegedly happen after this weekend 's storms when a ship is possibly moved from Arran.
If a ship can't be found for Lochboisdale then Tarbert can't be served effectively due to the freight and islander lifeline needs on Uist.
A game of musical chairs.
The Stornoway ferry, touching a lot of wood, is one of only 4 routes not affected by the general disruption.
Possibly famous last words. But if that ship does fall sick they totally have to find a relief ship. Too much freight uses that route to leave it uncovered.
Things really "should" be OK by then. There are better than even odds it will work out on the day.
Absolute last ditch would be to drive from Portree to Ullapool for Stornoway, then to Tarbert but it should not come to that, on current expectations.
There are two other even more drastic ways to reach Harris involving flying from Benbecula to Stornoway or Inverness to Stornoway, but it really, really should not get that serious.
Posted by
OP
Canada
4 posts
Thank you so very much for your very thoughtful message isn31c! I was just looking into going from Ullapool to Stornaway if the Uig ferry gets cancelled. It’s really wonderful of you and others to post all this sage advice for everyone.
Posted by
Lake District, England
11660 posts
@Tinka,
Just an update, to keep an eye on. The last reliable ferry in the Outer Hebrides, the MV Loch Seaforth, on the Ullapool to Stornoway run, has now been taken off service, with bow door problems.
The CalMac website says she may or may not be back in service tomorrow.
However local information is that the MV Glen Sannox is being sent north from the Isle of Arran to take up service on the route. CalMac are also reportedly asking the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) for an exemption to run the Loch Seaforth single ended (which will extend turn round times).
The positive is that the route stays open when there is a problem (although there is now a 2 1/2 day backlog of traffic to clear), but it shows how fragile the network remains, and that you need to remain very flexible. The priority when the route resumes will be moving freight traffic.
The alternative route from Tarbert (via Lochmaddy/Leverburgh) is also disrupted as the MV Loch Bhrusda has broken down. Currently there is a passenger charter and a separate vehicle charter (with reduced capacity)- no scheduled return date currently.
Posted by
Delaware
1716 posts
Hi, Stuart,
This situation sems to be getting worse daily. If the Loch Seaforth sails single ended, does that mean that cars will have to reverse off of the ship?
I was feeling really badly about having to postpone my biennial trip until 2027, but the way things are looking right now, it may have been a blessing. CalMac has always been an integral part of my holidays.
Thanks for keeping everyone posted!
Best wishes,
Mike (Auchterless)
Posted by
Lake District, England
11660 posts
Yes they will either have to reverse on or off. It will be more fun for the big trucks if they have to do that!!
EDITED- The Loch Seaforth has had a partial repair and is temporarily back in service, running single ended. What is interesting is they are running with reduced capacity, to enable vehicles to turn on the car deck, as opposed to reversing on or off. So it will just take longer to clear the backlog.
The Glen Sannox is standing by to run a two ship service, if required.
The second new Turkish ship for Islay is due in October, then the first of the Turkish pair for the Uig triangle next Easter.
So next year the triangle should be broken into its two legs, each with a dedicated ship.
They still seem to expect the Glen Rosa towards Christmas.
So 2027 should be an awful lot better.
I was meant to be on the new Isle of Islay to Islay, but now she's on the Barra run that's a bit pointless. You can be sure that if I chase her to Barra she will be redeployed elsewhere.
Posted by
OP
Canada
4 posts
Thank you so much for the update! I guess we are in for an adventure!