 CROSSINGS
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 Main
Crossings
Oban - Scarinish - Bágh
a'Chaisteil (Castlebay) |
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Oban - Scarinish -
Bágh a'Chaisteil
Oban - Scarinish - Castlebay
SEASONAL (Summer) |
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Crossing Time: 6 Hours 20 Minutes |
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Regular Ship: Clansman
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ROUTE TIMELINE:
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 Ships to Serve:
To date: Clansman
/ Lord
of the Isles
Additional Ships:
Hebridean Isles (relief in August 2005)
Various fleet
members on relief duties |
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Terminal Facilities:
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Oban: A new terminal building is under
construction. There is currently one linkspan, although a second is
planned for later in 2004, subject to permission being granted. There is a
mobile, powered passenger gangway which can be shifted depending on the
next vessel due in. Upon completion of new terminal building, the already
large vehicle marshalling area will be extended.
Tiree:
Ferry terminal comprises the office, vehicle marshalling area,
pier, linkspan and passenger gangway. The main village on the island is
Scarinish.
Castlebay:
Vehicle waiting area located adjacent to terminal office. Linkspan
installed in 1989 so that ferry lies along the face of the pier as it
always did. Terminal office houses a passenger waiting area, ticket office
etc.
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Route History:
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The link to Tiree and Barra was originally part of the old mail run from
Oban to Lochboisdale, which also included calls at Coll. With the coming
of the 'Marine Motorway' in the 1970s this link was severed in favour of
faster direct sailings using the IONA
and then through into the 1980s, the CLAYMORE.
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It was not until very recently that the link from Tiree to Barra was
reintroduced, albeit on a seasonal and once weekly basis. For the last few
summer seasons the 1998-built CLANSMAN
would leave Oban at 9.00am on a Thursday morning and sail to Tiree via the
Sound of Mull. From Tiree she would then pass through the Gunna Sound;
that narrow stretch of water which separates Tiree from neighbouring Coll,
and out into the exposed Minch for a three hour crossing to Barra.
It was the presence of the third major vessel based in Oban which
allowed this link to be reintroduced. While CLANSMAN
would sail to Barra and back on her thirteen hour round trip, LORD
OF THE ISLES would provide additional services from Oban to
Colonsay and then a late afternoon sailing to Lochboisdale and Barra.
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Clansman passing through the
Gunna Sound
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Clansman in the Sound of Mull,
heading for Tiree
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The long haul crossing has proved popular since it was introduced and indeed
in recent summers it has been marketed as one of the many 'Day Sails'
available from Oban and the other mainland ports in the network. The Tiree -
Barra crossing now provides the basis for two such 'Day Sails'. One of these
is a non-landing cruise to Barra and back, taking in the full day on the
ferry. The other takes in a sail to Tiree and seven hours ashore - with an
opportunity to take a guided tour of the windy isle before rejoining the
vessel for the return crossing.
Given its success and the continued presence of three ferries in Oban, it
is likely that this crossing will remain a feature of the summer timetables
for some seasons to come.
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 Images from Ships of CalMac Collection |
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 SoC Useful Links:
To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit
Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place. |
SoC
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