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Ferry - Uig to North Uist, and South Uist to Mailaig.

Hello RS Friends,

I am planning a golf trip in May/June that will involve traveling between the Uist islands and the Mainland. I plan to using the following ferry routes:

  • Uig (Isle of Skye) to Lochmaddy (North Uist island)
  • Lochbolsdale (South Uist island) to Mailaig (on the mainland).

One of our guys has a history of getting sea-sick Are these ferries in rather calm water? Reason to have concern for sea-sickness?!!

I'd also appreciate links to ferry schedule and cost information for these routes.

Many thanks!
Ron

Posted by
8125 posts

Uig to Lochmaddy Timetable and Fares- https://www.calmac.co.uk/summer-timetable/uig-lochmaddy

Lochboisdale to Mallaig Timetable and Fares- https://www.calmac.co.uk/summer-timetables/mallaig-oban-lochboisdale#9%20Apr%20-%2015%20Oct

Pre booking of cars is essential.

Both sailings are in open water and can be quite lively, even in summer. If it is too bad sailings will be cancelled or retimed, sometimes earlier than scheduled and/or diverted and the Lochmaddy service combined with the Harris service leading to an extended passage time. Keep a close eye on CalMac updates.

In particular note that Mallaig is a difficult berth, and sea conditions can be too bad. In those circumstances sailings are rerouted to Oban via the Sound of Mull. Even in Summer this is not especially unusual.
Once you are in the shelter of Mull it's always calm.
Sometimes such re-routed sailings are combined with the Castlebay (Barra) sailings. This is an extended passage time with or without a Castlebay call, and depends on berth availability at Oban.
This is not to discourage you in any way, but to give you realistic expectations.

Posted by
2320 posts

isn31c has beaten me to a reply. Calmac runs the ferry service.

I've done the Uig to Lochboisdale crossing several times. I've had some lovely calm crossings BUT also experienced quite rough seas on some sailings. There was one crossing that was so rough even the locals were turning green. Mind you the later sailings were cancelled because of the wind. There's no guarantee of a calm crossing I'm afraid.

Posted by
8153 posts

Ron, there are remedies that people who are prone to seasickness can take, and I would suggest that he definitely bring some along some dramamine and/or PSI bands. I would imagine he knows what to bring but it wouldn't hurt to let him know he may need something.

Posted by
67 posts

Thanks everyone... terrific advice!!! Many thanks, Ron