Dog on Calmac Ferries

Vanbirds68
Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
edited March 2018 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

We are planning a six week trip to Scotland to include the Outer Hebrides. Has anyone taken a dog on the Calmac Ferries? We’re thinking of starting with the Oban-Barra route, but five hours seems a long time to be shut up in a crate in the back of the car. I understand that some of the larger ships allow dogs in some parts. What have others done with dogs on these island routes?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #2

    Calmac say the pet facilities vary ship to ship so you really need to find out the arrangements on the crossings you plan. I would ring the company and ask.

    https://www.calmac.co.uk/on-board/facilities

     

    PS. We're going to do the route north to south. Starting Ullapool - Lewis and finishing Barra - Oban.

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited March 2018 #3

    Generally dog facilities on Calmac are excellent - would that P&O, Stena etc were as good. 

    Every Calmac ferry we've been on had a reasonably comfortable inside area where you could sit with your dog (probably in the company of other dogs and owners smile), plus much of the outside deck is also open to them, so you can take them for a stroll if you want.

  • Kennine
    Kennine Forum Participant Posts: 3,472
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    edited March 2018 #4

    We use Calmac often, It is a dog friendly ferry company. We enjoy the Hebrides and have been on all the ferries which travel between those beautiful islands. Our dog really enjoys being with us on boats.

    I would always do the tour in a clockwise direction starting with the Oban to Castlebay ferry ( the dog has freedom to sit with you on deck and also inside in the dog friendly areas)  then touring northwards through the Uists over to Harris and up through Lewis returning to the mainland on the Stornoway to Ullapool ferry.  

    When in Barra the small island of Vatersay ( connected by causway) is well worth the visit. 

    Enjoy your tour there is lots to see.

    K

  • Brian1
    Brian1 Forum Participant Posts: 242
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    edited March 2018 #5

    A couple more tips:

    - In Barra, go and see the Vatersay Boys perform if it's a Saturday and they're on in the local pub in Castlebay (forget it's name)

    - If a ferry can be booked (smaller ones can't), book it.  Even in shoulder season we found they tended to be full if you just rolled up

    - Take it very slowly going on/off the ferries, some of the linkspans are at an angle to the ground which makes it easy to bottom out your 'van back end

    - fill up with fuel beforehand - it's pretty expensive on the islands

  • Vanbirds68
    Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited March 2018 #6

    Thanks for this Tw - we’re planning to do it the other way around, mid/end of May, maybe our paths will cross? 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #7

    I think you'll be 2-3 weeks ahead of us, VB, but who knows?

    Are you booking any sites? I’m trying to book the first one on Lewis and intend to play it by ear after that.

  • Vanbirds68
    Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited March 2018 #8

    Thanks K that’s very encouraging. (I got the impression they would prefer pets to stay in vehicles which is why I asked the question). We’re planning our trip exactly as you describe. 

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,065 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #9

    Cal Mac have always seemed very dog friendly to us, although we have only done short hops such as Oban to Mull, Gourock to Dunoon, Portavardie to Tarbert. Only reason we use them is because you don't have to leave dogs in cars. Have a good trip, sounds very nice.

  • Vanbirds68
    Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited March 2018 #10

    We were planning this trip last year but sadly had to cancel. We had booked in at Eilean Fraoich Campsite http://www.eileanfraoich.co.uk/ on Lewis and will try to get in again this year. If we had a motorhome and could wild camp we wouldn’t book sites but with the caravan...

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #11

    I’m booking the very same site!

    After that, with so many (legal) wild camping opportunities, I don’t feel we'll be stuck if we can’t get on a site.

  • Vanbirds68
    Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited March 2018 #12

    Thanks for the tips, all booked up now and six weeks have grown to seven. Can’t wait. 

  • Vanbirds68
    Vanbirds68 Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited March 2018 #13

    We will be on Barra on a Saturday night so the pub it is - cheers for the tip!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,150 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #14

    I spoke to the lady at Eilean Fraoich today, VB, and she said it’s been a lovely sunny day there. Here’s hoping. smile

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