Calmac Ferries

Dr_Nickcp · June 2007

In two weeks time I'm off on a two week adventure in the Western Isles. It occurs to me I've never actually been on a ferry with a bike before. Do I just cycle on with the cars? Is it ok to leave panniers attached to the bike during the crossing? Do you have any other seafaring advice?

skink2020 · June 2007

The guys at the terminal will tell you when to board. You pretty much walk your bike on the ferry and tie it up to some bars that have rope spliced onto them already.
The bigger ferries don't allow people to stay on the car deck so its fine to leave panniers on the bike.

The large print giveth and the small print taketh away. TW.

Tail end Charlie · June 2007

I have just come back from the Outer Hebrides. As skink says, just turn up with your biked and the staff tell you when to get on. They are very efficient. You will have a great time. I left my panniers on, but took bar bag off which had camera etc in it because I wanted to use camera etc.

Hairy Jock · June 2007

On most ferries you have to walk on and off with bike, the staff get a wee bit upset if you try to ride for some reason. There is usually a place at the slip way to line up when waiting to get on, try not to jump the queue, it is not appreciated by other cyclists. Generally there is no problem with leaving panniers on the bike.

A hirsute Scotsman.

**************

Best advice I ever got was "better get a bike then"
Cycle commuting since 1994. Blog with cycle bits.

chuggalong · June 2007

As said above the staff will tell you when to board but it will almost certainly be after the vehicle traffic.

I always take a piece of bungee chord or suchlike with me. It's not absolutly necessary but generally allows you to attach the bike to something solid. It can get rough at times!

No problem with your panniers but you may want to remove items of value although on the smaller ferries your bike is usually in sight.

Have a good holiday.

r800sport · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by chuggalong

As said above the staff will tell you when to board but it will almost certainly be after the vehicle traffic.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
On the larger Cal Mac ferries, the cyclists are usually first on last off. It means you can be at the front of the queue for breakfast [:p].
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
I always take a piece of bungee chord or suchlike with me. It's not absolutly necessary but generally allows you to attach the bike to something solid. It can get rough at times!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The larger Cal Mac ferries have lashing points with rope to secure your bike.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
No problem with your panniers but you may want to remove items of value although on the smaller ferries your bike is usually in sight.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Security is not a problem. The car decks are secured when sailing, and the locals are very honest anyway. In Stornoway, people don't seem to bother locking their bikes and leave them like that for hours on end.

If off to the Western Isles myself in a couple of weeks too(going to Coll & Tiree first, and then getting the Thursday ferry to Barra). If you see a guy riding a light blue Hewitt Cheviot - that'll be me.

Edited to add:
If you are travelling on the Oban -> Uist (Lochboisdale) ferry, then you need to complete a boarding card (from the ticket office) - You need to hand one part of it over with your ticket, and the other part when you get off. If you do not have one, then you will not be allowed to board. I believe that there are a few other Cal Mac ferries that require you to have one (but most of them don't).

Will

daowned · June 2007

I have allways found Calmac to provide a good service when it comes to bikes on the ferrys, as allways first on before the cars (unless your late) and last off after the cars is how they do it.

If your doing a few islands ask about a Hopscotch ticket, might save you a few quid.

gordycp · June 2007

They don't like you riding onto the car deck 'cos the ramps are steel. Imagine cycling over an immense soaking-wet manhole cover and you get the idea. Your bike will fall over and you'll look like a pratt.

(I know...)

Dr_Nickcp · June 2007

Thanks to everybody for all the advice. r800sport - I'll be going from Oban to Barra on 17 June, so if you see someone on a green bike from Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative that'll be me.

maryinoxford · June 2007

I'm bound from Ullapool to Stornoway later in June, with my Brompton and Cyclone trailer. I e-mailed Calmac a while ago about the trailer, and they told me "no charge for a cycle trailer". I wouldn't mind paying a reasonable ticket price for it, I just didn't want to find I would be charged at car trailer rates.

Mary

The older I get, the better I used to be.

Calmac Ferries

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