Over the sea to Skye (Ferry from Mallaig to Skye)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Ferry from Mallaig to Skye
Date:	10/06/08 (909 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good journey

Disadvantages: Not good in rough seas

While holidaying in Arisaig on the west coast of Scotland we decided to take the ferry from Mallaig. This was going to be a return day trip so we looked at the timetable the boat sails about every 55 minutes after 9am until 6pm.
We were not taking a car so the fare was £5.95 return each this is the price you pay for each driver or passenger. A car would have cost £32.50 return + passenger fare.
We took the grandchildren with us we did not pay for the youngest she is 2 years old but had to pay for the 5 year old.
Timetable and fares at http://www.calmac.co.uk/ summer-timetable.html?id=summer-skye--mallaig-arma dale.gif

So that the children got as much from this trip as possible we watched as the Ferry came into port. It was the MV Coruisik. This boat does the summer sailings a different boat does the winters journey. The MV Coruisik is named after a loch on Skye.
She is part of the Caledondian MacBrayne fleet
We went and bought our tickets from the booking office, you can pre-book tickets by phone or online at http://www.calmac.co.uk/book-online.html the boat docked and we watched as a few cars drove on. We then walked up the gangplank onto the deck and were able to see more cars driving onto the car deck below us. The bridge is double ended so the cars drive on one end and drive off the other. There is room for 40 cars on board.
We then watched the crew untie the mooring rope and wind it in .We set of and watched as the shore got further and further away and the houses getting smaller...
We then went to the other end of the boat the stern (I think) some but very little difference between that and the bow. The boat seems to come in to mallaig bow /front first and reverse all the way back to on Skye we climbed up some stairs to the upper deck to watch as we approached Skye. There are several rows of chairs so we sat down to view. There is seating for 115 passengers on the decks
The Island of Skye is visible all the way from Malaig. The journey takes about 25 minutes. The MV Coruisic travels about 14 knots
It was a clear day and we looked for seabirds and fish we saw other boats. The children enjoyed the sailing. We watched the view as we came nearer to Amadale we could see the Cuillin Mountain jagged peaks a few miles away and the Island beckoned us. The boat docked and we watched as the mooring rope was tied up then we got of the boat. Only one snag there is not a lot to do in Amadale the Armadale Castle Gardens & Museum of the isles where we were headed is about 2k from port about ½ hour walk for us and the littlies. As we walked we passed a tea shop and a few other "tourist"
Shops I noted a small beach area and there seem to be quite a lot of boats moored here too

After a few hours we returned and boarded the boat for our return journey. .

On this journey we made use of the facilities, the toilets adequate. . There is seating available inside with a view over the bow of the boat to the sea. there was a cafeteria area and we had a cup of tea the children juice, we also indulged in some cake.

There is also a shop selling Scottish novelties and mementoes. There is inside seating for 135 passengers. The Coruisic will carry 250 passengers in total.
There is a lift for disabled passengers the toilets had facilities for disabled users too.
MV Coruisk is a Class IV, Class V, and Class C vessel and her length is 65m, breadth 14.414m and draught 3.2m.
While we had our snack we watched out of the windows and saw the coastline getting nearer we just had to get outside on deck and watch the coastline and the islands of rum muck and egg and all the little islets are very attractive. It was a splendid feast for the eyes
We really only just had time to drink our drinks before we realized we were coming into Malaig. We berthed and landed calmly having had a good trip. The children loved traveling on the boat. much more fun than going over the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin
There is an alternate route to Skye the ferry from from Glenelg to Kylerhea a shorter quicker journey ,

If you are going to be near Mallaig I really would recommend the ferry as a trip ,there are other sailings to the other Islands and wildlife watching but for myself and my daughter with two young children this half hour crossing to Skye was ideal.

Summary: A ferry from Mallag to Skye