Uig - Harris Ferry
Uig - Harris Ferry Aiseag Uige - Na Hearadh | |||
Location Map ( geo) | |||
The MV Hebrides at Uig pier | |||
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From: | Uig (Skye) | ||
To: | Tarbert (Harris) | ||
Distance: | 44.8 km (27.8 miles) | ||
County | |||
Inverness-shire | |||
Current Operator | |||
Caledonian MacBrayne | |||
Toll | |||
£34.40 (Car+driver, 2013) | |||
On road(s) | |||
• A87 • A859 • A868 | |||
History
Uig has only really developed as a ferry port since the advent of roll on - roll off ferries. Before that, steamers sailed from Oban, Mallaig and Kyle of Lochalsh, calling at Portree and Stornoway as well as the smaller ports such as Tarbert and Lochmaddy. Today, however, the easiest and shortest crossing to the Uists is probably Uig to Lochmaddy.
Crossing
The ferry that serves Tarbert is the same one which runs the Uig - North Uist Ferry service, and in the winter there is occasionally a triangular journey. However, for the most part there are 3 crossing a day (2 out and one back, or vice-versa), except on Sundays. Due to the religious nature of Lewis and Harris, Sunday sailings are not wanted, although Calmac are currently proposing a Sunday service on the Ullapool-Stornoway service.
The ferry used on the service is the MV Hebrides, which can carry nearly 100 cars. The crossing takes about an hour and 45 minutes, and as you enter East Loch Tarbert you get a real feeling of being somewhere different, somewhere foreign! You pass through low lying islands and headlands before the hills and mountains close in. They slope right down to the water as you finally approach the pier, and it is almost claustrophobic on an evening arrival with dusk starting to cloak the island in darkness.
Ferries
Name | IMO | Operator | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hebrides | 9211975 | Calmac | 2001-present | 98 cars |
Hebridean Isles | 8404812 | Calmac | 1985-2001 | 62 cars |
Hebrides | 6401165 | Calmac | 1964-1985 | Car Hoist |
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