Got stuck on Coll for 4 days way back in 1976, the weather was to rough for the ferry to dock, whenI the rest of the staff and 14 pupils from the west of scotland finally got away it was the roughest crossing ever , a trailer load of cattle and sheep on the foredeck got soaked everytime we caught a big wave and squealed and bellowed like crazy, still it took the kids minds off the fact that they were seasick, 10 days on coll was one of the best holidays I've ever had , wanting to go back soon after watching this clip, a truly magical wee island .😀
What TV do you have 😂 I watch them on my OLED phone. Love these sorts of videos and not interested in normal TV but find motion makes me dizzy with these kind of videos on a TV.
Self funded really does make your videos very honest and is why I love your channel Mark. Taking the ferry has to be more stunning than the plane. Seeing all those trucks and vans shows just how much of a lifeline it is for the island. £19 is quite reasonable for a foot passenger, I've went on CalMac Largs to Cumbrae about 10 years ago and was about £20 for car and myself then had to pay another £5 for my wife to travel over too 😬 However that's another great little island that I recommend you check out one day if you already haven't
I love a Calmac journey! Was last on LOTI back in October for a sailing between Mallaig and Lochboisdale - only the second time in my life I've ever been seasick! The staff were lovely though - I was on a tour that included food and when I couldn't eat inside they boxed it up for me so I could eat it outside in the fresh air. I spent most of the journey outside as that was the only way I could handle the seasickness, but it would never put me off a sail.
Went to Coll twice back in the 80s via the Calmac ferry. Stayed for a week on both occasions. We did some sea fishing and enjoyed the spectacular beaches on the west coast. Arinagour doesn’t look to have changed much. Great memories. Thanks.
Really interesting video Mark. In 2018 myself and late wife were staying in fort William for the week. We had breakfast in the Oban spoons certainly one of my favourite spoons then took the car on the ferry to Mull. We loved Tobermory even had lunch in the Bakery. Did a couple of ferry trips that week. Really nice part of the world
Fantastic again Mark, thank you. I lived in Oban until about 8 years ago, beautiful place. Began my bus driving career there in fact. LOTI was always one of my favourite vessels to see coming in and out of Oban, there’s a certain ‘finesse’ with the way she sails I think. Brilliant once again, thank you, can’t wait til next week!! Cheers for now
Expertly presented as always - the use of music is especially creative with the superb vistas on the sail out of the harbour the cheery greeting that you received sums up the people of Calmac (despite the many challenges they face) friendly and welcoming. Highly enjoyable video - you really excel with these "ferry" trips !
Thanks for the kind words. I agree with the CalMac staff - everyone was great. Really improves the experience actually and I look forward to doing many more.
My claim to fame I have been in the Wetherspoons seen at the start ( sad eh ). There is also a fresh seafood place just a bit further along the pier, it does excellent crab and lobster salad lovely sat outside on a summers day. Think we were on a round Britain cruise and were tendered into Oban for the day. I also have an ex colleague and friend that lives on Mullwho we have visited a few times. It’s a beautiful part of the UK people that have never been up there are missing a trick.
Tbh, if I wasn’t on a meal deal at the hotel in Oban, I’d have been in Wetherspoons too - it was proper rammed every time I walked past. Plenty of other options in Oban but money talks these days doesn’t it especially when you’re always on a budget like me!
Yes, only Bolsøy and Veøy of the Norwegian ferries come close to the CalMac ferries when it comes to being attractive. The main problem this year is that the CalMac fleet is too old and the fleet is down to the bare bones.... I mean; the last tonnes of steel. Two routes has closed for this year. People on the islands cannot come the dentist and hospital appointments on the mainland and we are not even in the main season yet. Two ferries ordered for 2018 summer season have yet to be put into service. Next summer.... fly to Edinburgh and go to Oban for a very cheap hotel, ferry and bus holiday.
Interesting. I’m sure the modern ferries are much more efficient but for me, the older the better! I’m on the look-out for a few more classic ships tbh 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Agree. I could recommend the summer-season ferries in Norway, usually run by classic ferries. Summer-season routes like in Geriangerfjorden, Nærøyfjorden and Lysefjorden.
As someone who lives in Scotland and travelled all of these crossings you are a very lucky guy to be able to experience this trip as quite something to see and it truly is a magical region of the UK and although not that warm it's gorgeous but don't tell anybody.
Brilliant wee video Mark. I'm planning a 3 night trip to Oban later this year and intend that same foot passenger trip to Coll one day and a voyage to Colonsay the next. Thanks for showing me what to expect.
No probs mate. I was there for 3 nights which I reckon is the minimum you need tbh. Just because there’s so much to do. I’ll definitely be back this year at some point 👍
CalMac are an excellent company they get a lot of bad press but there front line staff from skipper to shore team are excellent they provide a lifeline to the isles. Its my mission to travel on every CalMac vessel The food on board is normally very good !
Great video again Mark, fantastic experience. When I do manage to make a trip to the UK, I take the train from Euston to Glasgow, stay overnight in Glasgow, then by train to the beautiful and unique station of Wemyss Bay, then take the MV Bute to Rothesay, the best part is definitely the ferry crossing. Seeing you on the ferry to Isle of Coll was just so enjoyable to watch, thank you😊
Great video as always. Heb isles is a special ship, taken me on many holidays to Islay back in the day and has had a lot of recent issues. Lord of the isles is great for desk space indeed, always enjoy being on this one.
My idea of the perfect day. Oban is one of, if not my favourite place on Earth. The LOTI is a wonderful vessel and the Scottish islands are a magical place. Great video!
Magical is a great way to describe it Craig - especially when the weather’s kind. Just can’t wait to get back up there and do some more of these trips. Loved it!
It's lovely living here but the amount of rain is getting worse. This august it was 300mm for the month. London gets 600mm for the year, Skye had 600mm for august alone
We love your videos, Mark, and Oban is a favourite place of ours too. Going there again in May. We’ve been to Mull and Iona before, taking the car on the ferry when we can, but not to Coll - definitely one to add to the list. I liked the Devil’s Seat story! Have heard that Tiree has beautiful beaches too.
Indeed these ferry trips are those you need to take at least once in a lifetime. I would love to explore the Scottish islands, and really experience such realities which do not really get far from my own, living myself in Malta, a small (albeit smaller than many Scottish isles, but much more populated)
Yes though I did enjoy my trip to Gozo a couple of years back. That was great! Plenty of choice for you on the west coast though Enrico, even from Oban itself 👍
Hi Mark and great video as usual,loved the views of the islands as you cruised along and you where blessed with smooth seas. Would love to visit Oban one day it has always held an intrigue for me but who knows what the future holds, take care and stay safe and thanks again.
Cheers Simon. I definitely recommend Oban. Been a while since I was last there but there’s so much to do. I love it and I’ll definitely be back sometime soon 👍
Great vid. Just a teensy correction for you. The ferry was built in Port Glasgow, not port of Glasgow. Unintentional inference is Glasgow is a port. Port Glasgow is down river from Glasgow before Greenock and Gourock (where i live) where you can get a choice of ferries to Dunoon! Great stuff 👏👏
Thanks for the correction- duly noted for future reference and interesting too as I never realised there were two different places. It’s good to get some local insight 😊
A lovely wee video Mark and in many ways you were lucky, both with the weather and the lack of tourists. The island does really need more time to explore of course. I followed the same route two years ago and continued to Tiree along with my Brompton and tent. I arrived in a terrible storm ... blowin a hoolie it was !! It was not a pleasant experience pitching a tent in such weather. However, the next morning and for the next two days, the sun shone and the sky was blue. A marvellous time. Tiree is another beautiful island if you ever get the chance to visit. In fact, all the islands you can access from Oban are worth a visit - check out the timetables, the summer ones may be published by now.
Cheers mate. I am thinking about taking a bike on some of these trips and I think a tent would be a sensible option compared to accommodation prices. Need to get it sorted and it may be a thing for future videos (evolving the trip content and all that). 😊👍
I have traveled to Barra on clansman and had breakfast on her and the food was excellent and I do a lot of holidays based on the calmac ferry routes from Oban.
It's heavily subsidised; There's always a core traffic of freight and essential traffic, that's what these ferries mainly exist for. You could see that the vehicle deck seemed to be pretty well loaded
Cheers Paul. Yep plenty of vehicles on deck - mainly vans and Lorrys with supplies/services and, like the air services, heavily subsidised this part of the world.
Just watched this. Great as usual. Nice to see Mull where my eldest was working for West coast buses last summer. Usually a border bus boy, with his dad!
Have done the Colonsay sail a couple of times. 2.5 hours each way and only £16 return. Next sail ison Waverley at end of May when she does her Oban cruises.
A great video - and LOTI is one of my favourite vessels to travel on, I used to travel on her to Barra in my younger years. You're right in that she has cabins - I don't think they can be booked by the public anymore, but back in the day the timetable had a few overnight crossings, for which they were appreciated and well worth the ££s! Later, as the timetable changed, when there was very early morning departures from Castlebay you could board the night before and stay in the cabins. I have to say CalMac is currently going through some torrid times in terms of fleet availability, but their crews are always fantastic. Visit Barra if you get the chance!
Cheers Ian, I have been to Barra on the plane with the classic beach landing. A few years before doing this RUclips thing tbh so maybe I’ll have to go back one day. The overnight ferries must’ve been really useful because these days, with all the early morning departures it means an overnight stay in Oban before you get there. That’s fine but it’s an extra day and of course extra money.
@@s125ish Castlebay / Lochboisdale to Oban (sometimes vv) - if I remember, it used to be leaving Castlebay about 23:00/00:00, getting into Oban about 05:00 the next morning. The cabins were basic but comfortable enough, on a par with what B&I offered on the Leinster. When LoTI was used as an overnight "B&B" for an early morning departure, you used to be able to get on board after it had arrived and discharged the inward crossing.
Wow, seems a great and cheap day out. Seems a good service to these small isles, when compared to the Isles of Scilly for example, which doesn’t have a ferry in Winter and the plane is ridiculously priced.
It is great value Daz you’re right. I’m (hopefully) doing the IOS run in couple of weeks time weather permitting so we’ll see how it does. Cheers mate.
Nice one mate! I did this exact trip back in 2016 (on the Clansman). Back when the kids were into the TV show "Katie Morag" set on Coll (but filmed elsewhere).. I have pictures of them with the gun emplacement, no rust on it then! Thanks!
I read that stuff about Katie Morag and then forgot to put it in! Never mind. The gun x the only one I came across thought it was there to possibly guard the harbour but I don’t think I’ve had a definitive answer yet…..
Hi Mark Lovely video thanks,my friend and I did a tour of Scotland 18 months ago and used the ferries quite a lot,we took a trip on the MV Loch Seaforth Ullapool to Stornoway,we got 1 hour in Stornoway because the boat had to back for servicing,but the Loch Seaforth is a beauty with a great observation lounge to spot dolphins in the Minch.Would really like to visit and explore more of the Hebrides some time,plus St Kilda.Alan
I think you had a much better experience in the winter than had it been packed in the summer. The subsidies certainly help on the price, I am often shocked by how much the bus fares are in the highlands which are not subsidised. Glad you enjoyed the trip and I have heard very good things about the food. You mostly lucked out on the weather and much better than Steve Marsh on Tiree 😳
Cheers mate. It’s such a gamble travelling at this time of year but I much prefer to take that risk with the weather than travelling when it’s packed. Maybe it’s just me but crowds are not really my thing. Avoided the midges too! 😂
If you want to watch some top-class reverse manoeuvres into port, try the Helsinki-Stockholm route and make sure you're on deck when the ship calls at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands ;)
Wow what an amazing trip, an absolutely stunning part of the UK that few know about... You could never move to Cull tho, as there's no Costa! Great job mate ❤
It looked a beautiful trip. Very chilled. Nice ship. 🚢 Shame it had to end with a soggy bottom 🤣 Yes it would be great to see you make another visit sometime.
I had a spare pair with me Linda so no worries 😂 just never know with the weather at this time of the year but it was pretty good overall and made for a great trip yes 😊👍
Great video as always, Mark. I nearly spat my tea everywhere when you told the llama story. 😂 Your videos are always packed with interesting information and facts, including the Devil stone that soaks trousers 😂 Andy.
Hi Mark Another great trip when in Scotland have a look at the trips out to the whirlpools of Corryvrekan from Craboh Haven check best tides with boatman take care.
Nice 1 Mark great cheep ferry ⛵ peanuts for a lovely day out did you stay in Oban overnight And where thanks for the 🎥 m8 thumbs up for mark to get his New laptop 🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Beautiful Mark, that scenery is just breathtaking, so many Islands to choose from my friend, I'm fortunate enough to have done lots of them, Oban to Castlebay and Uig on Skye to Tarbert are my favourites, so many beautiful places to explore bud, keep them coming Mark, thank you, your content is fantastic 👍
Scenery looks incredible. Lovely trip. Unfortunately feel I've been spoilt by my trip on the Manxman. Such a lovely ship. So nice to sit in the lounge area and watch the Irish Sea roll by! Are there any other ferry journeys you recommend that are on nice ships and longer duration?
Ullapool to Stornoway on the CalMac MV Loch Seaforth,a fairly new ferry ,2014 I think,and the largest in the CalMac fleet,it's a lovely ship with a great forward observation lounge for spotting sealife,the trip one way is about 2 and a half hours and it's possible to return in one day
Yep and it’s all very compact isn’t it. When I was researching the folly I noticed the locals call it a tower (though it doesn’t really look like a tower, once I’d found that out, I had to call it a tower too!).
I did Tarbet to Islay waaaay back in 1989. Went there for the photography opportunities. The voyage back I'll never forget - through a F8-9 storm in an elderly round bottomed ferry (not the one it should have been) with Scots lorry drivers 'greeting God down the big white telephone' all the way back! I stayed out on deck clinging to the rails so I didn't join them 😂 What was meant to be a 2.5hr crossing ended up being 7-8 hrs and I gave 3 people a lift to Glasgow as they'd missed the last coach and had to be at work the next day. During that same storm, on the other side of Islay, a Korean oil tanker was lost with all hands (about 20 crew) when it was swamped by a huge wave. The storm force out there was more like 10-11 so I counted myself lucky....
Sounds absolutely dreadful that mate! I certainly don’t want to be faced with anything as severe as that. Great for views no doubt but I’d rather nice calm seas and sunshine tbh!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Mark, it was ..... 'an experience' and not one I'd like to repeat to be honest. It was bloody frightening at the time and I was much younger and still felt immortal! Now.... I'd check myself in at the nearest bnb and say Sod that! 🤣
While there are a few Tarbet's as a place name on the West coast (e.g. Arrochar, Mallaig), the direct mainland port route to Islay is, coincidentally enough, a place called Tarbert (with an 'r'). Possibly that's the one you mean given the ferry travel time is the same. I've done that one quite a few times, though fortunately never in a storm. Well done putting up with that storm. Dramatic photos though I'm sure. Hopefully some Jacob's Ladder's poking through.
Destinations from Oban you forgot is Lismore. And the CalMac food is actually very good. Their fish and chips are very good. If you feel like you want a challenge, you can actually collect all the CalMac ferry routes... I am halfway through my list and must now make a bigger effort next year when the new ferries come on stream. At the moment, the chances of a Robinson Crusoe experience (read: being stranded on an island because of a broken down ferry) are too big for my liking. As always... a great video and I will follow in your wake next year.
Cheers mate. Thought I’d remembered Lismore. I did want to go over there the next day but the weather put a stop to that! I will try and do a few more this year if I can. Watch this space!
In that case a trip to Islay is essential as there are nine distilleries. Need to stay at least three days minimum though and also take the short ferry to Jura while there. @@LetsMakeaTrip
last time I was in Oban there were a bunch of middle class female teachers from Southern England openly offering their bodies to the fishermen, really trying to go for it, it was absolutely hilarious to watch
Up until the Lord of the Isles, all Calmac's ships were British built; now, when they *do* try to have one built in Scotland, it runs about five years late. And it's a fairly small ferry for the Firth of Clyde; it's not a 200,000 ton cruise ship 😂
Always amused by those no smoking notices on a windswept open deck, a far better place to smoke than an enclosed smoking area. Did once encounter a Captain ignoring them walking around the ship puffing away on his pipe, but he is the law on a vessel.
This ferry trip makes an absolute mockery of wightlink,isle of wight ferries where i live,£230 day return atm for one car,plus driver,for a 40 minute trip,most expensive crossing on the planet 😡
Can I suggest that you advise viewers that it is "free" to subscribe to the channel.
Regards Mike
Yes good point Mike, thanks 👍
Got stuck on Coll for 4 days way back in 1976, the weather was to rough for the ferry to dock, whenI the rest of the staff and 14 pupils from the west of scotland finally got away it was the roughest crossing ever , a trailer load of cattle and sheep on the foredeck got soaked everytime we caught a big wave and squealed and bellowed like crazy, still it took the kids minds off the fact that they were seasick, 10 days on coll was one of the best holidays I've ever had , wanting to go back soon after watching this clip, a truly magical wee island .😀
@@jimdevlin2138 I go camping quite often with my bike , it's realy cheap on the ferry now due to it being 'ret' this makes it under £30 return
Hi Mark. Watch every one of your great videos on my 43 inch TV and they are great. Much better than regular programming.Take care
At this point, RUclips IS my regular programming.
What TV do you have 😂 I watch them on my OLED phone. Love these sorts of videos and not interested in normal TV but find motion makes me dizzy with these kind of videos on a TV.
Cheers David and I appreciate your support. I’m the same, hardly ever watch normal TV anymore. There’s nothing on!
@@bradbelsame here 👍
@@alextoft9199that’s interesting, didn’t realise 🤔
Self funded really does make your videos very honest and is why I love your channel Mark.
Taking the ferry has to be more stunning than the plane.
Seeing all those trucks and vans shows just how much of a lifeline it is for the island.
£19 is quite reasonable for a foot passenger, I've went on CalMac Largs to Cumbrae about 10 years ago and was about £20 for car and myself then had to pay another £5 for my wife to travel over too 😬
However that's another great little island that I recommend you check out one day if you already haven't
I love a Calmac journey! Was last on LOTI back in October for a sailing between Mallaig and Lochboisdale - only the second time in my life I've ever been seasick! The staff were lovely though - I was on a tour that included food and when I couldn't eat inside they boxed it up for me so I could eat it outside in the fresh air. I spent most of the journey outside as that was the only way I could handle the seasickness, but it would never put me off a sail.
Went to Coll twice back in the 80s via the Calmac ferry. Stayed for a week on both occasions. We did some sea fishing and enjoyed the spectacular beaches on the west coast. Arinagour doesn’t look to have changed much. Great memories. Thanks.
Really interesting video Mark. In 2018 myself and late wife were staying in fort William for the week. We had breakfast in the Oban spoons certainly one of my favourite spoons then took the car on the ferry to Mull. We loved Tobermory even had lunch in the Bakery. Did a couple of ferry trips that week. Really nice part of the world
You always choose beautiful music Mark. Another brilliant video.
Thanks Jane, glad you enjoy this aspect of it 😊
Fantastic again Mark, thank you. I lived in Oban until about 8 years ago, beautiful place. Began my bus driving career there in fact.
LOTI was always one of my favourite vessels to see coming in and out of Oban, there’s a certain ‘finesse’ with the way she sails I think.
Brilliant once again, thank you, can’t wait til next week!!
Cheers for now
Cheers mate. Oban was one of those places where you think ‘I could live here’ definitely! I will be back someday soon for sure. 👍
Expertly presented as always - the use of music is especially creative with the superb vistas on the sail out of the harbour the cheery greeting that you received sums up the people of Calmac
(despite the many challenges they face) friendly and welcoming. Highly enjoyable video - you really excel with these "ferry" trips !
Thanks for the kind words. I agree with the CalMac staff - everyone was great. Really improves the experience actually and I look forward to doing many more.
That was lovely - Scotland is so beautiful
Thanks and I totally agree 👍
Free of what? The money the English shovel in? Carry on my friend, carry on.
@@herenow6953 Oh dear.
My claim to fame I have been in the Wetherspoons seen at the start ( sad eh ). There is also a fresh seafood place just a bit further along the pier, it does excellent crab and lobster salad lovely sat outside on a summers day. Think we were on a round Britain cruise and were tendered into Oban for the day. I also have an ex colleague and friend that lives on Mullwho we have visited a few times. It’s a beautiful part of the UK people that have never been up there are missing a trick.
Tbh, if I wasn’t on a meal deal at the hotel in Oban, I’d have been in Wetherspoons too - it was proper rammed every time I walked past. Plenty of other options in Oban but money talks these days doesn’t it especially when you’re always on a budget like me!
Beautiful light throughout this video. Thank you
Cheers Willie and thanks a lot for leaving a comment 😊👍
I like the fact that in Scotland they still use their good old ferries. Here in Norway the old ferries get scrapped and replaced by electric ferries.
Yes, only Bolsøy and Veøy of the Norwegian ferries come close to the CalMac ferries when it comes to being attractive. The main problem this year is that the CalMac fleet is too old and the fleet is down to the bare bones.... I mean; the last tonnes of steel. Two routes has closed for this year. People on the islands cannot come the dentist and hospital appointments on the mainland and we are not even in the main season yet. Two ferries ordered for 2018 summer season have yet to be put into service. Next summer.... fly to Edinburgh and go to Oban for a very cheap hotel, ferry and bus holiday.
@@progster999 Yes. I would like to add Skånevik also 😀
Interesting. I’m sure the modern ferries are much more efficient but for me, the older the better! I’m on the look-out for a few more classic ships tbh 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip Agree. I could recommend the summer-season ferries in Norway, usually run by classic ferries. Summer-season routes like in Geriangerfjorden, Nærøyfjorden and Lysefjorden.
The"good old ferries" are unfortunately letting islanders down due to their breakdowns.
What gorgeous skies you had! Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks Lauren, yes I got a bit lucky with the weather tbh 😊👍
As someone who lives in Scotland and travelled all of these crossings you are a very lucky guy to be able to experience this trip as quite something to see and it truly is a magical region of the UK and although not that warm it's gorgeous but don't tell anybody.
Cheers Tom, yes I think I was very lucky with the weather! The day after was horrendous - all sailings cancelled!
Brilliant wee video Mark. I'm planning a 3 night trip to Oban later this year and intend that same foot passenger trip to Coll one day and a voyage to Colonsay the next. Thanks for showing me what to expect.
No probs mate. I was there for 3 nights which I reckon is the minimum you need tbh. Just because there’s so much to do. I’ll definitely be back this year at some point 👍
If nobody has mentioned it before, the gun on the foreshore looks more like a harpoon gun from a whaler rather than a military piece?
It could be mate. I don’t think I’ve had a definitive answer yet and I am hopeless when it comes to identifying that kind of thing!
CalMac are an excellent company they get a lot of bad press but there front line staff from skipper to shore team are excellent they provide a lifeline to the isles. Its my mission to travel on every CalMac vessel
The food on board is normally very good !
Great video again Mark, fantastic experience. When I do manage to make a trip to the UK, I take the train from Euston to Glasgow, stay overnight in Glasgow, then by train to the beautiful and unique station of Wemyss Bay, then take the MV Bute to Rothesay, the best part is definitely the ferry crossing. Seeing you on the ferry to Isle of Coll was just so enjoyable to watch, thank you😊
Thanks Diana. I am planning to go to Wemyss Bay this year at some point so watch this space 😊
Great video as always. Heb isles is a special ship, taken me on many holidays to Islay back in the day and has had a lot of recent issues.
Lord of the isles is great for desk space indeed, always enjoy being on this one.
Thanks Sam. I reckon these CalMac ferries all have different personalities and tbh, I’m intending to go on as many as I can. 👍
My idea of the perfect day. Oban is one of, if not my favourite place on Earth. The LOTI is a wonderful vessel and the Scottish islands are a magical place. Great video!
Magical is a great way to describe it Craig - especially when the weather’s kind. Just can’t wait to get back up there and do some more of these trips. Loved it!
It's lovely living here but the amount of rain is getting worse. This august it was 300mm for the month. London gets 600mm for the year, Skye had 600mm for august alone
Outstanding Mark lad. Love that part of Scotland and the island hopping on CalMac. Cheers mate.
Cheers Garry and thanks for leaving a comment. 😊👍
We love your videos, Mark, and Oban is a favourite place of ours too. Going there again in May. We’ve been to Mull and Iona before, taking the car on the ferry when we can, but not to Coll - definitely one to add to the list. I liked the Devil’s Seat story! Have heard that Tiree has beautiful beaches too.
Thanks Jessica. Next time I go, I’ll spend longer and discover the beaches. Shame I had limited time on this trip but I will be back one day 😊
Indeed these ferry trips are those you need to take at least once in a lifetime. I would love to explore the Scottish islands, and really experience such realities which do not really get far from my own, living myself in Malta, a small (albeit smaller than many Scottish isles, but much more populated)
Yes though I did enjoy my trip to Gozo a couple of years back. That was great! Plenty of choice for you on the west coast though Enrico, even from Oban itself 👍
Hi Mark and great video as usual,loved the views of the islands as you cruised along and you where blessed with smooth seas. Would love to visit Oban one day it has always held an intrigue for me but who knows what the future holds, take care and stay safe and thanks again.
Cheers Simon. I definitely recommend Oban. Been a while since I was last there but there’s so much to do. I love it and I’ll definitely be back sometime soon 👍
Great vid. Just a teensy correction for you. The ferry was built in Port Glasgow, not port of Glasgow. Unintentional inference is Glasgow is a port. Port Glasgow is down river from Glasgow before Greenock and Gourock (where i live) where you can get a choice of ferries to Dunoon! Great stuff 👏👏
Thanks for the correction- duly noted for future reference and interesting too as I never realised there were two different places. It’s good to get some local insight 😊
A lovely wee video Mark and in many ways you were lucky, both with the weather and the lack of tourists. The island does really need more time to explore of course. I followed the same route two years ago and continued to Tiree along with my Brompton and tent. I arrived in a terrible storm ... blowin a hoolie it was !! It was not a pleasant experience pitching a tent in such weather. However, the next morning and for the next two days, the sun shone and the sky was blue. A marvellous time. Tiree is another beautiful island if you ever get the chance to visit. In fact, all the islands you can access from Oban are worth a visit - check out the timetables, the summer ones may be published by now.
Cheers mate. I am thinking about taking a bike on some of these trips and I think a tent would be a sensible option compared to accommodation prices. Need to get it sorted and it may be a thing for future videos (evolving the trip content and all that). 😊👍
Lovely Video Mark, you do the type of things I do, just go somewhere and see what happens, people watch, the journey, a cup of coffee, A good video
Yes that’s exactly it Colin. No rush, just enjoying the journey (most of the time anyway😊) cheers mate.
I have traveled to Barra on clansman and had breakfast on her and the food was excellent and I do a lot of holidays based on the calmac ferry routes from Oban.
Cheers Simon. I’d like to do more tbh. Had a great time on this one. Maybe the Outer Hebrides next?
You certainly find some interesting excursions. This ferry must lose a fortune in the winter. Thanks for the trip.
It's heavily subsidised; There's always a core traffic of freight and essential traffic, that's what these ferries mainly exist for. You could see that the vehicle deck seemed to be pretty well loaded
Cheers Paul. Yep plenty of vehicles on deck - mainly vans and Lorrys with supplies/services and, like the air services, heavily subsidised this part of the world.
Was in Oban pretty recently on a tour from Glasgow was a very nice little place
Yes definitely worth staying a few days 👍
Just watched this. Great as usual. Nice to see Mull where my eldest was working for West coast buses last summer. Usually a border bus boy, with his dad!
Thanks. I’ve been on both buses now and they are both very good (with excellent staff too) 👍
Have done the Colonsay sail a couple of times. 2.5 hours each way and only £16 return. Next sail ison Waverley at end of May when she does her Oban cruises.
I was looking at Colonsay but the timetable just didn’t fit for the time of year so I chose Coll instead. One for the future though 👍
Excellent footage 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🥂🥂🥂🥂🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾
Cheers mate 😊😊😊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️⛴️🏴🏴🏴🏴🏴
A great video - and LOTI is one of my favourite vessels to travel on, I used to travel on her to Barra in my younger years. You're right in that she has cabins - I don't think they can be booked by the public anymore, but back in the day the timetable had a few overnight crossings, for which they were appreciated and well worth the ££s! Later, as the timetable changed, when there was very early morning departures from Castlebay you could board the night before and stay in the cabins.
I have to say CalMac is currently going through some torrid times in terms of fleet availability, but their crews are always fantastic.
Visit Barra if you get the chance!
Cheers Ian, I have been to Barra on the plane with the classic beach landing. A few years before doing this RUclips thing tbh so maybe I’ll have to go back one day. The overnight ferries must’ve been really useful because these days, with all the early morning departures it means an overnight stay in Oban before you get there. That’s fine but it’s an extra day and of course extra money.
What were the overnight routes on the network?
@@s125ish Castlebay / Lochboisdale to Oban (sometimes vv) - if I remember, it used to be leaving Castlebay about 23:00/00:00, getting into Oban about 05:00 the next morning. The cabins were basic but comfortable enough, on a par with what B&I offered on the Leinster.
When LoTI was used as an overnight "B&B" for an early morning departure, you used to be able to get on board after it had arrived and discharged the inward crossing.
Wow, seems a great and cheap day out. Seems a good service to these small isles, when compared to the Isles of Scilly for example, which doesn’t have a ferry in Winter and the plane is ridiculously priced.
It is great value Daz you’re right. I’m (hopefully) doing the IOS run in couple of weeks time weather permitting so we’ll see how it does. Cheers mate.
Thanks Marc absolutely lovely video 👍
Thanks for watching James - appreciate it 😊👍
Nice one mate! I did this exact trip back in 2016 (on the Clansman). Back when the kids were into the TV show "Katie Morag" set on Coll (but filmed elsewhere).. I have pictures of them with the gun emplacement, no rust on it then! Thanks!
I read that stuff about Katie Morag and then forgot to put it in! Never mind. The gun x the only one I came across thought it was there to possibly guard the harbour but I don’t think I’ve had a definitive answer yet…..
Hi Mark Lovely video thanks,my friend and I did a tour of Scotland 18 months ago and used the ferries quite a lot,we took a trip on the MV Loch Seaforth Ullapool to Stornoway,we got 1 hour in Stornoway because the boat had to back for servicing,but the Loch Seaforth is a beauty with a great observation lounge to spot dolphins in the Minch.Would really like to visit and explore more of the Hebrides some time,plus St Kilda.Alan
Cheers Alan. I do want to try this route sometime. Sounds wonderful. I’ll definitely be back up there someday soon it’s a lovely part of the world.
You can't beat a trip on our Calmacs😊. Glad you enjoyed it, Mark!
I did and many more to come hopefully Sheila 😊
I think you had a much better experience in the winter than had it been packed in the summer. The subsidies certainly help on the price, I am often shocked by how much the bus fares are in the highlands which are not subsidised. Glad you enjoyed the trip and I have heard very good things about the food. You mostly lucked out on the weather and much better than Steve Marsh on Tiree 😳
Cheers mate. It’s such a gamble travelling at this time of year but I much prefer to take that risk with the weather than travelling when it’s packed. Maybe it’s just me but crowds are not really my thing. Avoided the midges too! 😂
Great video again Mark, lovely day & views :)
Thanks Andy and thanks for the comment 😊👍
What a voyage 😊
It’s lovely Richard, I definitely recommend it 😊👍
Absolutely stunning scenery matched by your engaging style. A fabulous watch.
Thanks Tim. It is great this part of the world, I’m sure you’ve been here yourself but if not, I look forward to the videos 😊😉
I went to Oban on a two hour excursion with national holidays a few years ago but I never noticed these big ships 👍
If you want to watch some top-class reverse manoeuvres into port, try the Helsinki-Stockholm route and make sure you're on deck when the ship calls at Mariehamn in the Åland Islands ;)
One for the list - thanks for the recommendation 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip you're welcome. I highly recommend stopping off at Mariehamn as well. The Åland Islands are beautiful!
Wow what an amazing trip, an absolutely stunning part of the UK that few know about... You could never move to Cull tho, as there's no Costa! Great job mate ❤
Cheers mate but you’re right no Costa, no move 😂
Excellent video as always Mark, beautiful scenery. Hope all is well, take care
Thanks Peter. Fantastic scenery I agree. I will definitely be back 👍
It looked a beautiful trip. Very chilled. Nice ship. 🚢 Shame it had to end with a soggy bottom 🤣 Yes it would be great to see you make another visit sometime.
I had a spare pair with me Linda so no worries 😂 just never know with the weather at this time of the year but it was pretty good overall and made for a great trip yes 😊👍
Ace Video Mark!..
I am back in Bute & Argyll in August, can’t wait. Hope your well
I am thanks, hope you enjoy your time up there (might be there myself around that time) 👍
Refreshing video and well done. By the way we have a Tobermory here in Ontario. :)😊
Great video as always, Mark. I nearly spat my tea everywhere when you told the llama story. 😂
Your videos are always packed with interesting information and facts, including the Devil stone that soaks trousers 😂 Andy.
Haha, cheers Andy. It’s a weird sight the Llama for sure! And I think the devil had the last laugh didn’t he!
Hi Mark
Another great trip when in Scotland have a look at the trips out to the whirlpools of Corryvrekan from Craboh Haven check best tides with boatman
take care.
Yes that would be awesome in a rib I reckon. I’ll check it out next time 😊👍
Seems like it was a relaxing sailing. Some nice footage 👍
It was very relaxing Gareth, really enjoyed it 😊👍
😊 all the best John 😊😊
Calmac breakfast and fish n chips usually excellent
Next time Richard! Everyone seems quite complimentary on here so I’ll have to try it 👍
Calmac food is excellent. I have traveled on quite a few of their routes and cannot fault their food.
I’ll have to try it for sure next time 👍
Great video Mark. Another Scottish Island added to my bucket list.
My first time there David. I’ve got plenty more on my bucket list to visit! 😊👍
Thank you mark for another fascinating Video.⛴️
Thanks for watching mate and leaving a comment 😊👍
I wonder if that canon/gun is to fire some sort of rescue line out into the bay if it's too rough for ships to come in under their own power.
Top video Mate! Looks like a great trip!
Thanks mate. Maybe a nice trip for you to try??
Nice 1 Mark great cheep ferry ⛵ peanuts for a lovely day out did you stay in Oban overnight And where thanks for the 🎥 m8 thumbs up for mark to get his New laptop 🙏👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Cheers John. I stayed at the Royal Hotel on a cheap winter deal. £135 for 3 nights dinner b&b you can’t go wrong for that! PS the laptop’s fixed atm 👍
Beautiful Mark, that scenery is just breathtaking, so many Islands to choose from my friend, I'm fortunate enough to have done lots of them, Oban to Castlebay and Uig on Skye to Tarbert are my favourites, so many beautiful places to explore bud, keep them coming Mark, thank you, your content is fantastic 👍
Thanks mate. I’ve been to Barra (on the plane though). Definitely do the Uig ferry at some point and there’s a few more I’d like to try. Cheers.
Another fantastic video
Cheers David and thanks for leaving a comment 👍😊
wow great video wild
Cheers Kevin - appreciate the comment 😊👍
While the MV Lord of the Isles was originally built with passenger cabins they are no longer in use as passenger cabins
I slept in a cabin back in the late 70s I think , which was bit creaky so didn't get much sleep.
Fab video. You'll have to do the longer trip to Tiree and on to Barra and return which takes a very long time!
Barra might be on the cards in future 👍
Yes I've heard about that one.
Nice video thanks.
You’re welcome 😊
Scenery looks incredible. Lovely trip. Unfortunately feel I've been spoilt by my trip on the Manxman. Such a lovely ship. So nice to sit in the lounge area and watch the Irish Sea roll by! Are there any other ferry journeys you recommend that are on nice ships and longer duration?
Ullapool to Stornoway on the CalMac MV Loch Seaforth,a fairly new ferry ,2014 I think,and the largest in the CalMac fleet,it's a lovely ship with a great forward observation lounge for spotting sealife,the trip one way is about 2 and a half hours and it's possible to return in one day
@alanvanallen7762 thanks so much. 😎
Well I’d definitely try the Spanish routes at some point. Not the cheapest but if you’ve got the time and the money it’s definitely worth it.
Great video Mark, always my go to choice for great travel adventures!
Cheers mate, I’m flattered 😊
Coll is an International Dark Skies Community and I have long wanted to visit but so far haven't made it.
If I go again, I’d probably stay the night and discover it properly 👍
Great video again, looking forward to the next
Cheers Paul, thanks for leaving a comment mate 😊👍
Oban's McCaig Folly , Ferry Terminal and Railway Station define the town of Oban. If you love Cal Mac you have to love Oban .
Yep and it’s all very compact isn’t it. When I was researching the folly I noticed the locals call it a tower (though it doesn’t really look like a tower, once I’d found that out, I had to call it a tower too!).
I did Tarbet to Islay waaaay back in 1989. Went there for the photography opportunities. The voyage back I'll never forget - through a F8-9 storm in an elderly round bottomed ferry (not the one it should have been) with Scots lorry drivers 'greeting God down the big white telephone' all the way back! I stayed out on deck clinging to the rails so I didn't join them 😂 What was meant to be a 2.5hr crossing ended up being 7-8 hrs and I gave 3 people a lift to Glasgow as they'd missed the last coach and had to be at work the next day. During that same storm, on the other side of Islay, a Korean oil tanker was lost with all hands (about 20 crew) when it was swamped by a huge wave. The storm force out there was more like 10-11 so I counted myself lucky....
Sounds absolutely dreadful that mate! I certainly don’t want to be faced with anything as severe as that. Great for views no doubt but I’d rather nice calm seas and sunshine tbh!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Mark, it was ..... 'an experience' and not one I'd like to repeat to be honest. It was bloody frightening at the time and I was much younger and still felt immortal! Now.... I'd check myself in at the nearest bnb and say Sod that! 🤣
While there are a few Tarbet's as a place name on the West coast (e.g. Arrochar, Mallaig), the direct mainland port route to Islay is, coincidentally enough, a place called Tarbert (with an 'r'). Possibly that's the one you mean given the ferry travel time is the same. I've done that one quite a few times, though fortunately never in a storm. Well done putting up with that storm. Dramatic photos though I'm sure. Hopefully some Jacob's Ladder's poking through.
Ah...this takes me back! To last Sunday 😉
I hope you enjoyed it as much as me 👍
Another great video. Thank you.👍
Thanks for watching Simon! Appreciated 😊👍
That is tiny compared to the one that comes to my island lol
Destinations from Oban you forgot is Lismore. And the CalMac food is actually very good. Their fish and chips are very good. If you feel like you want a challenge, you can actually collect all the CalMac ferry routes... I am halfway through my list and must now make a bigger effort next year when the new ferries come on stream. At the moment, the chances of a Robinson Crusoe experience (read: being stranded on an island because of a broken down ferry) are too big for my liking. As always... a great video and I will follow in your wake next year.
Cheers mate. Thought I’d remembered Lismore. I did want to go over there the next day but the weather put a stop to that! I will try and do a few more this year if I can. Watch this space!
Great video Mark
Thanks Robert, appreciate the comment mate 😊👍
One of the ferries Im booked on for Arran is kaput 😢 So I now dont know port or timings.
Anyway, enjoying this. Never been Isle of Coll xx
Calmac food is good 👍🏻
Thanks Clare. Arran is nice too, did a video on that a couple of years back. 👍
Yeah I've been before. I'm probably going on Alfred as in the ferry seemingly, bit no place to get breakfast or coffee
Also a distillery at Ardnamurchan.
I’m really getting into whiskey now so may have to check it out 👍
In that case a trip to Islay is essential as there are nine distilleries. Need to stay at least three days minimum though and also take the short ferry to Jura while there.
@@LetsMakeaTrip
i love ya honest reviews pal .. if i could fund you i would for great content
Don’t worry about that mate - a like, comment and sub is thanks enough! Cheers 😊👍
The Devil's Seat reminds me of some of those crappy monuments they had on Craggy Island in Father Ted 🤣
Haha, yes I think it was a ‘class 3 relic’ 😂
Fishnish is my favourite place name ever.
Probably pronounced completely different to how I said it! 😂
Not sure what can gun placement is but it's definitely not a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range.
That’s a relief!
Collab with Steve Marsh when? 😆
Don’t think that’s going to happen unfortunately.
last time I was in Oban there were a bunch of middle class female teachers from Southern England openly offering their bodies to the fishermen, really trying to go for it, it was absolutely hilarious to watch
I bet that was In Wetherspoons 😂
just outside, the poor fishermen were just trying to get on with their jobs@@LetsMakeaTrip
Up until the Lord of the Isles, all Calmac's ships were British built; now, when they *do* try to have one built in Scotland, it runs about five years late. And it's a fairly small ferry for the Firth of Clyde; it's not a 200,000 ton cruise ship 😂
And the older ships (for me anyway) are much more preferable 👍
Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky in the morning sailors take warning
This is very true!
Always amused by those no smoking notices on a windswept open deck, a far better place to smoke than an enclosed smoking area. Did once encounter a Captain ignoring them walking around the ship puffing away on his pipe, but he is the law on a vessel.
Cheers Tony. Yep, doesn’t bother me tbh and I’m sure there are designated areas somewhere on deck.
Ironically, the observation lounge doesn't seem to offer very much of a view at all
I would call it the ‘rain and wind shelter with decent WIFI’ lounge. 😂
This ferry trip makes an absolute mockery of wightlink,isle of wight ferries where i live,£230 day return atm for one car,plus driver,for a 40 minute trip,most expensive crossing on the planet 😡
They spoilt the Needles when they turned it into a theme park!
Joanne I definitely agree with that!
How much!!! Blimey!
😊 all the best John 😊😊