Will this route be OK at 9m Scottish Ferries?

[ceejayt]

Planning to take my Grandson for a tour of Scotland at Easter. I am not worried about narrow roads but I do need a few ferries in the Western Isles and I wondered if they were all going to be able to cope.

This is a link to the route...

https://goo.gl/maps/K6ERVshrmzt

The ferries are:

1. Tabert to Portvadie Ferry
2. Craignure to Oban
3. Fishnish to Lochaline
4. Mallaig to Armadale

And I suppose the other question is - will I have to book in advance?

Thanks in advance

Chris

 

[Puddleduck]

Why not phone CalMac and ask their advice about length and overhang?

At Easter you may be better to book a day or two in advance.

 

[ceejayt]

So, being less lazy, and having a look at their website...

1. Tabert to Portvadie Ferry Yes up to 10m
2. Craignure to Oban Yes
3. Fishnish to Lochaline Yes up to 10m
4. Mallaig to Armadale - yes - upon to 10m

Will probably just book a day or so in advance and amend plans if necessary as we are going to be very fluid with our plans

 

[funflair]

Being on an IVECO chassis you will have a lot more clearance than a lot of Fiats with a much shorter overhang, @DavidG58 might have some "local knowledge"

Martin

 

[DavidG58]

I had just been looking at the route

Never used the Tarbet route, but would guess it will be a very small ferry, if that part of the journey is just for fun I would suggest sticking to the main road and missing that crossing

SO much depends on tides at the time, you can go from virtually level entry to what feels like 45 degrees

All the ferries I have used on these crossing are very helpful and patient, they use a variety of objects, from blocks to ropes to place very precisely under rear wheels to lift the rear if needed

We do now have adjustable rear air, which we have used a lot to raise our rear end on these ferries and we are only 8.2m

With care I would say you will be OK but if you are very precious about grounding the rear end prepare yourself and your nerves

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[Bdeners]

I take it you know the road from Glendaruel to Portavadie is single track?, I would advise continuing on the A83 to Lochgilphead via Inveraray and missing out Portavadie. If you really want to go that way then there is the option the Western ferry from Gourock to Dunoon cutting out going via Cairndow.
http://www.western-ferries.co.uk/

 

[poacher]

All proposed ferries are do’able at 12+ metres
You will need ability to raise suspension (ferry lift), planning or luck with tides, nerves of carbon fibre
As others have said, tide state helps tremendously but always found ferry / port crews most helpful
(loading / unloading manoeuvres best tackled with eyes closed )

 

[ceejayt]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions - much appreciated.