More questions about ferries (and CalMac has updated timelines)

Mardee, I can't answer your questions but I want to thank you for posting this. I need to make reservations from Armadale to Mallaig when booking opens up on January 31. Did you find the online booking system easy to use?
Thanks!

Yes, kmkwoo, it was very easy to use! The booking system is separate from the timetables, so I went first and looked at the timetables then figured out which ferries I wanted. After that, I registered to create an account and that's what I used to book the ones that are available now.

Here's what it said about the Mallaig route. Note that you can access the summer timetables for Maillag but you just can't book yet, although it looks like there is a possibility it might open up before the 31st.

Bookings will open in a phased approach from Friday 20 January. Phase 1 will cover all routes up to 15 October except for those services to and from Mallaig, which will open by 31 January. The final week of the summer timetable, 16-22 October inclusive, will be released when the vessel deployment plan for the start of the overhaul period is confirmed. Opening timetables to/from Mallaig by 31 January will allow us the necessary time to confirm tidal amendments in this area. These also need to be managed within the context of operating three services from one berth in Mallaig

Hi, Mardee,

Relax! All will be fine!

In answer to your questions, yes, if you arrive at the ferry terminal prior to the ferry departure on which you are booked, CalMac will definitely let you board if there is space. That means that there will be extra space on the next ferry for someone who shows up without a reservation. I doubt very much that they would charge you the 10 pound fee.

The alternative is true as well. If you miss your scheduled ferry, you can catch the next one, provided there is room on that next one. If you will have a mobile (cell phone) with you that works in Scotland, make note of the CalMac reservations number, so that you can ring them if you're going to be running late. I've had to do this. I wanted to take an earlier ferry from Craignure to Oban, and initially they said that I'd have to take my scheduled ferry. When I rang them back for the third time, they had a slot for me.

You should be able to get from central Glasgow to Ardrossan in two hours. There are several ways to get there. Although it's not the most direct route, I'd recommend taking the M77/A77 to Kilmarnock, then the A71 to Irvine and the A78 to Ardrossan. The alternative would be to take the M8 past the airport, then the A737 to Ardrossan.

Uig to Tarbert and Stornoway to Ullapool are not heavily travelled routes. CalMac uses their largest ferries for those routes, and they are usually full, so good job getting those reservations in order! CalMac does throw on an extra ferry on the days around the HebCelt festival in Stornoway in July. How long do you plan to spend on Harris and Lewis? Just make sure that you arrive in Uig and Stornoway half an hour before sailing time.

Which are the ferries you're referring to as ferry one and ferry two?

There are lots of ferry departures from Mallaig to Armadale, so you shouldn't have any problems scheduling one. Kilchoan to Mallaig can probably be done in about 90 minutes, but there are so many places where you'll want to stop and take in the scenery that it's most likely going to be at least two hours.

Although you won't know what vehicle you'll be getting until you arrive at the rental agency, unless you asked for a larger vehicle, you'll most likely get one about the size of a VW Golf. The ferries cost the same for all four wheel vehicles, unless you have some huge monstrosity. About 85% of rentals in Scotland are manual transmission, unless you specify otherwise.

As always, best wishes! Keep asking questions - just about everyone on this forum is an experienced traveller in Scotland!

Stay warm!

Mike (Auchterless)

Mike, I'm spending 3 nights on Harris & Lewis. And the Ferry Ones are the ones leaving from Lochranza and Tobermory (see below).

I have 2 options for Lochranza - I can take the 8:50 ferry and arrive in Claonaig by 09:20 OR take the one that leaves at 10:05 and arrives at 10:35. I would need to be in Oban by 14:15 to get the ferry to Craignure.

No. 2 - I would leave Tobermory at 09:30 and arrive in Kilchoan by 10:05, then calculated that I could leave Mallaig by 3 pm to get to Armadale.

I've calculated the drives on Google maps, and added extra to allow for slow vehicles and sightseeing but obviously it's new to me so I want to make sure I'm allowing enough time for everything.

Mardee, take a look too at Via Michelin and their time estimates. It can't hurt to double-check two sources against each other.

Kim, for the one route I checked, it looks like both Michelin and Google are giving me the same 3 routes that are pretty close in time and mileage. But I will check the others as well - thanks!

Hi again, Mardee,

Definitely take the 10:05 from Lochranza to Claonaig. You'll be coming up from Lagg, which is a fair piece, so you don't want to leave early in the morning. You could take the road on the western side of Arran, through Blackwaterfoot, but that is a narrow single track road. Best to go by way of Brodick.

It takes about 90 minutes to travel from Claonaig to Oban if you don't stop. However, you're going to want to stop! The road from Claonaig to Kennacraig is pretty rough (loose chippings), but once you hit Kennacraig, it's an easy drive.

You should have plenty of time to get from Kilchoan to Mallaig in time to catch your 3:00 p.m. ferry. If you're staying in Tobermory, all the better. From previous experience, you can pay ahead but not specify which ferry you want to board out of Tobermory. If you can't get on the ferry which will provide you with enough time to get to Mallaig, hustle down to Fishnish and catch the ferry for Lochaline. It runs about every 45 minutes.

As always, relax and enjoy the planning!

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)

Thanks once again, Mike - I'm glad to know that about the route from Lagg Hotel up to Lochranza, as taking the western route was my first inclination.

And yes, I'm staying in Tobermory, very near the harbor.

Hi, Mardee,

I would say to check with the folks at the Lagg Hotel to see what they think.. The road through Brodick would be easier, but the western approach to Lochranza along the coast would be shorter. Your other option would be to take the B880 from Blackwaterfoot to Brodick, then the main road from there.

Let the folks at the hotel know what your plans are, and they should definitely be able to let you know how long each route would take.

Best wishes once again!

Mike (Auchterless)

That's a very good idea - thank you!

Mardee,
Just to say that the ferries from Uig to Tarbert and Stornoway to Ullapool do get fully booked in the summer. I've just made a booking myself for a July summer break and I fully expect the ferries to be rammed full! There are few crossings each day because the routes are longer crossings and also because the Uig to Tarbert ferry also runs the Uig to Lochmaddy route (it's called the Skye Triangle informally).

Don't worry about vehicle size unless you have selected car and you turn up in a massive van! The staff are used to dealing with rental cars.

As for getting on an earlier ferry - on the Mallaig to Armadale route this is heavily dependent on how busy the ferries are when you are travelling. If it's high summer then certainly don't count on getting on an earlier sailing. I've been disappointed myself trying that - even having tried to play the 'locals' card!

Good luck
Jacqui (skyegirl)

Thanks, Jacqui! I've already booked the Uig ferry and the Stornoway ferry so I'm good there. I'll be traveling from Mallaig to Armadale on Sunday, May 14, but that is one that I don't expect to get an earlier booking on since it will be my 2nd ferry of the day. I just want to make sure I get there in time (from Kilchoan) to catch the one at 15:00. 😊

Mardee
That is great - you've got it worked out perfectly. Happy travels.
Jacqui

The road on the western side of Arran used to be part of the main road on the east of the island, the A841 and was a standard rural road, two lanes separated by white paint. It was down graded by North Ayrshire Council to save themselves a bit of money on the upkeep, so by and large it should be ok but some of the maintenance may leave a lot to be desired. As said above ask at the hotel if in doubt.

Heading to Ardrossan I would echo the points about taking the M77/A71 route down. As it is also largely motorway and dual carriageway once on the motorway it would give you a chance to get to know the car before you start to face single carriageways and single track roads plus roundabouts. If you want an automatic, you need to ask for one specially. Driving an automatic is still rare here and the default will be a manual.

Some of your routes will also be single track. These need extra care, but there is advice on how to drive on them

When you are collecting the hire car, it is quite far out and there are a couple of Arnold Clark dealerships so make sure you have the address for the taxi driver if taking a taxi. Heading to Arran from there you will need to take the Clyde Tunnel. The junction is clearly marked on the A814, but is quite tight so keep below the limit. It will also be signed 'QEUH' or Queen Elizabeth University Hospital' which is along side it on the south. At the south end, you will then need to head back into the city on the M8 before following Kilmarnock and M77. The time you are travelling it should be ok, but the area where the M8 and M77 meet can clog up. It, Plantation / Junction 22, is a bit complicated so I would recommend 'driving' through it a few times on Google street view.

MC-Glasgow, thanks for the info about the Arran road, and all the other tips, especially about reaffirming the M77/A71 route. That is good to know since I will have a manual transmission. I drove one in Okinawa in the late 70's (in fact, that's where I learned to drive with manual transmission). When I first got to Okinawa, everyone drove on the right and then Japan took it back over and in one night, it all switched over to the left. Traffic signals and signs were changed and cars were ordered off the road that night (except for emergency vehicles). The next morning was interesting, to say the least. Luckily there were no major accidents. So I drove on the left side of the road for several years (I was in the military). At any rate, I drove a manual most of my life until about 18-20 years ago when I switched to automatic. But from everything I've heard, it's muscle memory and it should come back.

With regards to Arnold Clark, the woman from Celtic Legend told me that she is arranging a shuttle from my hotel to the dealership on South Street. So that will hopefully alleviate any confusion, although I already have the address memorized. And thank you so much for the detailed instructions about the drive to Arran - I will definitely "drive" the route using Google - that's a good idea. I will be traveling there on a Sunday (right before the May 8th Bank Holiday) so I'm hoping that there will not be too much traffic that day - I'm counting on the fact that people who are traveling that long weekend will already be where they are going and anyone else will be at home. Of course, the best laid plans...