 CROSSINGS
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 Main
Crossings
Uig - Tairbeart (Tarbert) -
Loch na Madadh (Lochmaddy)
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Uig - Tairbeart / Loch na Madadh
(Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy) |
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Crossing Time: 1 Hour 45 Minutes |
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Regular Ship: Hebrides
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ROUTE TIMELINE:
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 Ships to Serve:
1963 - 1983:
Hebrides
1984:
Hebrides /
Columba
1985:
Columba /
Hebridean Isles
1986 - 1999:
Hebridean Isles
2000 - Present:
Hebrides
Additional Ships:
Lord of the Isles /
Pioneer /
Iona |
Uig - Tarbert
Lochmaddy - Uig |
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TERMINAL
FACILITIES:
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Uig: Ferry berth is located at the end
of the long pier which projects out into Uig Bay. Vehicle queuing area is
back on the land, giving around a half mile drive from the lanes to the
ferry for traffic waiting to board. Tarbert
(Harris): Linkspan
set along the face of the pier in East Loch Tarbert. Passenger loading
ramp located on the face of the pier. Close by is the information office
and facilities such as waiting room, toilets and ticket office etc.
Vehicle waiting area is also located adjacent to this.
Lochmaddy: Linkspan and passenger
gangway on the face of the pier. Information office and vehicle waiting
areas located adjacent to this.
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ROUTE HISTORY:
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For
many years the northern Outer Hebrides were served by traditional mail.
Things all changed in 1963 when the first of three revolutionary new
ferries were introduced into service. Operating out of Uig on the Isle of
Skye, the HEBRIDES commenced a twenty year career as the dedicated
ferry on what became known as the ‘Uig Triangle’. Her ports of call
were Lochmaddy in North Uist and Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. |
The
new ferry brought for the first time substantial vehicle capacity and all
of a sudden the islands became readily accessible for motorists. Vehicles
were loaded by the same means as had been introduced on the Clyde ferry
routes almost ten years previously – by hoist and side ramps.
The HEBRIDES became a much-loved ferry
during her time on the Triangle. She served faithfully from her
introduction in 1963 until her eventual withdrawal at the end of the 1984
season. The only time she ever deviated from her designated crossing was
for her annual overhaul, at which time she would often be relieved by her
sister COLUMBA. In fact it was the COLUMBA that kept the
routes open in the winter of 1984/5 before the new HEBRIDEAN ISLES
was able to relieve her in 1985. |
Hebrides seen leaving Tarbert,
Harris
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With the new ferry came a radical shake up
of the Uig – Tarbert / Lochmaddy services. For the first time ever,
drive-through operation was a reality on the crossings with the HEBRIDEAN
ISLES using her stern ramp at Uig’s long and sometimes exposed pier;
and her visor and bow ramp at Tarbert and Lochmaddy. Once she settled into
her new career, the new vessel brought about vast improvements in both the
frequency of services and also levels of passenger comfort. One thing that
did not change however, was the absence of Sunday sailings. Residents of
the islands were, and are to this day strongly opposed to ferry crossings
being provided on Sundays for religious reasons. |
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Sundays aside, the HEBRIDEAN ISLES
continued to ply her way across the Minch on a day to day basis, usually
giving one return crossing to Harris and then one return crossing to North
Uist or vice-versa each day. As with the majority of routes over time,
traffic levels grew. Perhaps the biggest single event that could have
contributed to this on the Uig crossings was in October 1995 when the
infamous Skye Bridge joined the island to the mainland once and for all.
1996 saw another change take place. The new Sound of Harris ferry, LOCH
BHRUSDA entered service, linking North Uist and Harris directly on a
shorter service.
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Hebrides departing Lochmaddy
for Uig
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The Fleet Flagship leaving
Uig Bay for North Uist
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HEBRIDEAN ISLES was released from her regular
Tarbert – Lochmaddy sailings and all crossings could now be based from
Uig.
As traffic demand grew as the end of the
millennium approached it became inevitable for a new and larger capacity
ferry to be brought in. In 2000 this happened and the HEBRIDEAN ISLES
left for pastures new. The new ship brought back memories of an old
favourite as she was christened HEBRIDES. She quickly took her
place as the flagship of the fleet and apart from overhauls, like her
namesake did all those years ago, she has not deviated from the route for
which she was intended.
|
 Images from Ships of CalMac Collection |
|
 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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