Uploaded May 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
CORRECTION: The Observation Lounge is at the Forward End of Deck 5, not Deck 4 as per the narration.
MAY 2023: Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries of Scotland, more commonly known as CalMac Ferries, has had more than its share of bad press recently. Struggling to maintain lifeline island connections with an aging and partly life-expired fleet, the West of Scotland's Ferry Operator has suffered multiple breakdowns as it waits for mis-procured new tonnage, some of which is now FIVE YEARS behind schedule.
But is it all that bad? As an Islander myself who lives in North Uist, I've had my fair share of cancelled, re-routed, retimed, and unavailable ferries. But I also travel with other ferry operators throughout the UK, and compared to some of the big names, there is a LOT to love about CalMac. In this video I take a trip aboard the MV Clansman from Lochmaddy in North Uist to Uig in the Isle of Skye.
Normally this route is served by the CalMac Ferries MV Hebrides, sister ship to the Clansman, but she was on her annual overhaul at the time of sailing.
The Clansman normally plies the routes between Oban, Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay, and on Summer Wednesdays her Coll and Tiree sailings are extended to Castlebay in the Isle of Barra to maintain a direct connection between the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - Fares and ticket flexibility
01:15 - CalMac's new ticketing and reservation system
01:58 - Vehicle marshalling area at Lochmaddy
02:06 - About the MV Clansman, and driving aboard with a vehicle
03:43 - A tour of the passenger facilities aboard the MV Clansman
04:45 - Travelling with a dog with CalMac
05:17 - Continuing the tour of the passenger facilities aboard the MV Clansman
08:28 - Arrival in Uig, and the drive to Uig Bay Campsite
09:00 - Outtakes
09:22 - Outro
Please also check out my Ferry Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A5_7NxNKJCi3ZdNYbYJ8rFMPRp93DL0
To see my video from 2016 about the Clansman's Sister ship the MV Hebrides, please see: youtu.be/92_rwJl_Yv4
If you like Ferry Reviews, check out Steve Marsh's Channel @steve-marsh
youtube.com/@steve-marsh
===========================================================
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Please Like, Subscribe, and use the Share arrow to share with your friends.
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============================================================
OPERATOR WEBSITE
CalMac Ferries: calmac.co.uk
===========================================================
GEEKY TECH STUFF
This video was filmed mostly on a DJI Action 3 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Outro on a Sony A7C.
========================================================
FOLLOW US!
Please check out my newsletter, Streamlining:
andrewditton.substack.com
If you'd like to know more about touring with an Electric Vehicle, please check my newsletter Electric Touring:
electrictouring.substack.com
Join us on Instagram at instagram.com/andrewjditton
CORRECTION: The Observation Lounge is at the Forward End of Deck 5, not Deck 4 as per the narration.
MAY 2023: Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries of Scotland, more commonly known as CalMac Ferries, has had more than its share of bad press recently. Struggling to maintain lifeline island connections with an aging and partly life-expired fleet, the West of Scotland's Ferry Operator has suffered multiple breakdowns as it waits for mis-procured new tonnage, some of which is now FIVE YEARS behind schedule.
But is it all that bad? As an Islander myself who lives in North Uist, I've had my fair share of cancelled, re-routed, retimed, and unavailable ferries. But I also travel with other ferry operators throughout the UK, and compared to some of the big names, there is a LOT to love about CalMac. In this video I take a trip aboard the MV Clansman from Lochmaddy in North Uist to Uig in the Isle of Skye.
Normally this route is served by the CalMac Ferries MV Hebrides, sister ship to the Clansman, but she was on her annual overhaul at the time of sailing.
The Clansman normally plies the routes between Oban, Coll, Tiree, and Colonsay, and on Summer Wednesdays her Coll and Tiree sailings are extended to Castlebay in the Isle of Barra to maintain a direct connection between the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
00:00 - Introduction
00:53 - Fares and ticket flexibility
01:15 - CalMac's new ticketing and reservation system
01:58 - Vehicle marshalling area at Lochmaddy
02:06 - About the MV Clansman, and driving aboard with a vehicle
03:43 - A tour of the passenger facilities aboard the MV Clansman
04:45 - Travelling with a dog with CalMac
05:17 - Continuing the tour of the passenger facilities aboard the MV Clansman
08:28 - Arrival in Uig, and the drive to Uig Bay Campsite
09:00 - Outtakes
09:22 - Outro
Please also check out my Ferry Playlist: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8A5_7NxNKJCi3ZdNYbYJ8rFMPRp93DL0
To see my video from 2016 about the Clansman's Sister ship the MV Hebrides, please see: youtu.be/92_rwJl_Yv4
If you like Ferry Reviews, check out Steve Marsh's Channel @steve-marsh
youtube.com/@steve-marsh
===========================================================
DID YOU ENJOY THIS VIDEO? IF SO, PLEASE SUPPORT US AND HELP US MAKE MORE!
Please Like, Subscribe, and use the Share arrow to share with your friends.
If you are in a position to do so, then you may if you wish BUY ME A COFFEE using this link:
buymeacoffee.com/andrewditton
Many thanks for your support.
============================================================
OPERATOR WEBSITE
CalMac Ferries: calmac.co.uk
===========================================================
GEEKY TECH STUFF
This video was filmed mostly on a DJI Action 3 and an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Outro on a Sony A7C.
========================================================
FOLLOW US!
Please check out my newsletter, Streamlining:
andrewditton.substack.com
If you'd like to know more about touring with an Electric Vehicle, please check my newsletter Electric Touring:
electrictouring.substack.com
Join us on Instagram at instagram.com/andrewjditton
