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Lewis Ferry

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Lewis Ferry
Aiseag an Leòdhas
Location Map ( geo)
Lewis-ferry.jpg
Cameraicon.png View gallery (2)
From:  Ullapool
To:  Stornoway (Lewis)
Distance:  83 km (51.6 miles)
County
Cromartyshire • Ross-shire
Current Operator
Caledonian MacBrayne
Toll
£55.95 (Car+driver, 2013)
On road(s)
A893, A866, A857

History

It's hard to begin any item about the Lewis ferries without first mentioning the events of December 31st 1918/January 1st 1919, when the 'Iolaire', a ferry running from Kyle of Lochalsh to Stornoway, sank in a storm on Biastan Thuilm (The Beasts of Holm), a rocky outcrop just outside Stornoway's harbour entrance. At least 205 men died that night, but since the boat was overcrowded, some deaths may not have been accounted for properly, and the actual total may have been even higher.

Crossing

The Ullapool to Stornoway service was until recently served by two vessels, MV Isle of Lewis operating the regular daytime crossings, with Muirneag providing an additional night time freight only service. However, in late 2014 the new MV Loch Seaforth is due to arrive to take over from both ships, with Muirneag already having been withdrawn in late 2013 and Isle of Lewis operating the night time freight service in the interim.

The crossing times and frequency of service, although said to be improved on the existing timetable, are not yet known. MV Isle of Lewis currently takes a little under 3 hours to make the crossing across the Minch, and whilst not the shortest distance between the mainland and Lewis, it does offer a more sheltered route with good harbours.

Ferries

Ferries

Name IMO Operator Dates Notes
Loch Seaforth 9665437 Calmac 2015 - present 143 cars
Clipper Ranger 9119402 Calmac 2013 - 2015 Freight only; 88 trailers
Muirneag 7725362 Calmac 2002-2013 Freight only; 54 Trailers
Hascosay 7120768 Calmac 2001-2002 Freight only
Isle of Lewis 9085974 Calmac 1995-2014 114 cars
Suilven 7383487 Calmac 1974-1995
Clansman 6404935 Calmac 1973-1974
Iona 7009653 Calmac 1972-1973 (Ullapool-Stornoway)
Loch Seaforth Calmac 1947-1973 (Mallaig-Kyle/Lochalsh-Stornoway) 0 cars


Additional ships since 1945 have included the Isle of Arran (Freight and relief duties) and (another) Clansman (relief duties)



Links



Lewis Ferry
Places
Related Pictures
View gallery (2)
A82 VMS - Coppermine - 9507.jpgLewis-ferry.jpg
Other nearby roads
Ullapool
Steornabhagh
Crossings to and within the Western Isles
To the IslesBarra Ferry • Lochboisdale Ferry • Uig - North Uist Ferry • Uig-Harris Ferry • Lewis Ferry
Within the IslesVatersay Causeway • Sound of Barra Ferry • Daliburgh Causeway • Druidibeag Causeway • Eriskay Causeway • Loch Bee Causeway • South Ford Causeway • North Ford Causeway • Baleshare Causeway • Berneray Causeway • Sound of Harris Ferry • Seilebost Causeway • Scalpay Bridge • Great Bernera Bridge
Other AreasIrish Sea • Inner Hebrides • Western Isles • Shetland • Orkney • North Sea • English Channel • Solent • Inland Crossings • Other Island Crossings


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