Cal(amity)Mac.

[mspenz]

Didn't realise just how messed up it all was until I tried to make some bookings today...computer said no, and so did the nice lady at their customer support centre.
Well, she didn't actually say no, said to keep trying as they have blocked everything out for now !

I'm heading to Tayvallich tomorrow for a couple of days and then I'd planned Islay...not a chance, no option to book anything either outbound or return as they still don't know if there will be a functioning vessel available.
Ok, I'll go from Oban to Craignure and have a couple of days at the lovely Fidden Farm campsite, nope, same scenario.

The Corran ferry is obviously out for some time but the single track road in from the North is really nice, well it used to be...it's now become a rat run and logging trucks rule !!

Hey tourists, Visit Scotland...It's a bit shite at the moment however

 

[Schtum]

Ok, I'll go from Oban to Craignure and have a couple of days at the lovely Fidden Farm campsite, nope, same scenario.

The Corran ferry is obviously out for some time but the single track road in from the North is really nice, well it used to be...it's now become a rat run and logging trucks rule !!

The other route would be down through Moidart from Lochailort to Salen and then out Kilchoan for the ferry to Tobermory, if it's running.

If you do make it to Fidden, I take it you know about the beautiful beach at the end of the road and down the track at Knockvologan.

 

[wilbjr21]

Seems as though Red Sky and myself need to alter our plans to have a trip to the Outer Hebrides before the Strontian gathering.

 

[mspenz]

The other route would be down through Moidart from Lochailort to Salen and then out Kilchoan for the ferry to Tobermory, if it's running.

If you do make it to Fidden, I take it you know about the beautiful beach at the end of the road and down the track at Knockvologan.

Yes, I know that area pretty well, Knockvologan is a great swim spot

 

[mspenz]

Seems as though Red Sky and myself need to alter our plans to have a trip to the Outer Hebrides before the Strontian gathering.

Fingers crossed that current problems will be resolved by then, you are both definitely coming

 

[Squonk]

Calamity MacBrainless are a nightmare, especially if you live on an island. I tried to book a return trip to the mainland mid March and was told there is nothing available until late April. Part of it is their crap booking system, they are working on a new one but it has been delayed almost as much as the boats, and it will apparently cause as many problems as it solves.

When I couldn't get on with the car I went standby on the bike, wasn't ideal as it was for work. Here's a photo of the "full" ferry ...



The main problems are down to a lack of investment - the ferries have a useful life of 25 years, the MV Isle Of Arran is 39 years old and somehow still going, and it's not even the oldest!

Don't even get me started on the 3 year / £97m project to build two new boats which is now a 9 year / £400m project which hasn't delivered a single boat yet!

 

[gerarddwatts]

It's a real nightmare for those trying to run a business on the islands....I am booked on the ferry from Mallaig to Lochboisdale on May 13th.....currently all services on that route are completely cancelled until the 12th.....will it get going again on the 13th? Who knows? When do I start looking for alternatives?
The whole operation is a shambles. Calmac bought a boat from Norway to fill in, the Loch Frisa. It is currently operating between Oban and Mull. When it was operating in Norway it needed a crew of 4. Now it needs a crew of 9!?
These new boats rotting in Greenock have to be floating hotels for the crew, including games room, leisure facilities etc, as well as their main function. Apparently the unions wouldn't let Calmac build hostel accommodation ashore. The sooner we are rid of a) Calmac b) the crap crooked administration in charge of the whole useless operation, the better.
In the meantime the Island communities are at real peril of a new 'clearances' bought about by the wholly incompetent Scottish Govt.

 

[wilbjr21]

It's a real nightmare for those trying to run a business on the islands....I am booked on the ferry from Mallaig to Lochboisdale on May 13th.....currently all services on that route are completely cancelled until the 12th.....will it get going again on the 13th? Who knows? When do I start looking for alternatives?
The whole operation is a shambles. Calmac bought a boat from Norway to fill in, the Loch Frisa. It is currently operating between Oban and Mull. When it was operating in Norway it needed a crew of 4. Now it needs a crew of 9!?
These new boats rotting in Greenock have to be floating hotels for the crew, including games room, leisure facilities etc, as well as their main function. Apparently the unions wouldn't let Calmac build hostel accommodation ashore. The sooner we are rid of a) Calmac b) the crap crooked administration in charge of the whole useless operation, the better.
In the meantime the Island communities are at real peril of a new 'clearances' bought about by the wholly incompetent Scottish Govt.

That's awful for the locals having to put up with such a shoddy service.

Things have gone downhill rapidly since I did the Island Hopscotch trip.

Yes Mike we are still coming - but not to the same places. As long as I get to the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse I'll be content.

 

[Squonk]

It's a real nightmare for those trying to run a business on the islands....I am booked on the ferry from Mallaig to Lochboisdale on May 13th.....currently all services on that route are completely cancelled until the 12th.....will it get going again on the 13th? Who knows? When do I start looking for alternatives?
The whole operation is a shambles. Calmac bought a boat from Norway to fill in, the Loch Frisa. It is currently operating between Oban and Mull. When it was operating in Norway it needed a crew of 4. Now it needs a crew of 9!?

Union rules, innit. Caledonian Isles has something like 32 staff including a carpenter. What the hell does a boat (made of metal) need with a full time carpenter? Bizarre. My neighbour's son is an engineer with Calmac, he recently got called out to do a shift on a boat somewhere up Lewis/Harris way. He got paid for a day each way travel, plus his work day, plus he got his three days of holiday back. Six days pay for a days work.

These new boats rotting in Greenock have to be floating hotels for the crew,

They've had to replace the propellors, shafts and some other bits due to corrosion ... on boats which have never moved. Unreal.

MV Loch Frisa had a warning yesterday about one of the toilets not working, now it's in Troon. That's a long way to get the shitter fixed!

 

[mspenz]

Union rules, innit. Caledonian Isles has something like 32 staff including a carpenter. What the hell does a boat (made of metal) need with a full time carpenter? Bizarre. My neighbour's son is an engineer with Calmac, he recently got called out to do a shift on a boat somewhere up Lewis/Harris way. He got paid for a day each way travel, plus his work day, plus he got his three days of holiday back. Six days pay for a days work.




They've had to replace the propellors, shafts and some other bits due to corrosion ... on boats which have never moved. Unreal.

MV Loch Frisa had a warning yesterday about one of the toilets not working, now it's in Troon. That's a long way to get the shitter fixed!

Thanks for the local and inside information, what an eye opener!

I'm in Tayvallich camping tonight and spoke to a couple of mahoosive wankervan drivers yesterday ( van , not the driver ), they were planning to meet similar friends today and Q up at Kennacraig...sort of put me off going to the islands for now.
Tayvallich has been pretty chilled and I've had a decent run around the nature reserve but, wtf has happened to pub food prices...prices start at £20 for simple main course bar food and any beer is £5 per pint !
Long way home tomorrow it is.

 

[DevonAl]

Didn't realise just how messed up it all was until I tried to make some bookings today...computer said no, and so did the nice lady at their customer support centre.
Well, she didn't actually say no, said to keep trying as they have blocked everything out for now !

I'm heading to Tayvallich tomorrow for a couple of days and then I'd planned Islay...not a chance, no option to book anything either outbound or return as they still don't know if there will be a functioning vessel available.
Ok, I'll go from Oban to Craignure and have a couple of days at the lovely Fidden Farm campsite, nope, same scenario.

The Corran ferry is obviously out for some time but the single track road in from the North is really nice, well it used to be...it's now become a rat run and logging trucks rule !!

Hey tourists, Visit Scotland...It's a bit shite at the moment however

The Craignure ferry is running from Oban, I’ve sailed past it twice today near Lismore Island, or is it fully booked.

Al.

 

[mspenz]

The Craignure ferry is running from Oban, I’ve sailed past it twice today near Lismore Island, or is it fully booked.

Al.

Looked pretty calm out there today ?
I'm heading home, overnight temperature is too cold for tent and lightweight summer down bag !

 

[wilbjr21]

Looked pretty calm out there today ?
I'm heading home, overnight temperature is too cold for tent and lightweight summer down bag !

You're my hero Mike !!!!

I've seen the prices of the hotels there.

 

[DevonAl]

Looked pretty calm out there today ?
I'm heading home, overnight temperature is too cold for tent and lightweight summer down bag !

Flat water around 12 but up to 16 knots of breeze at times.

Al.

 

[mspenz]

Flat water around 12 but up to 16 knots of breeze at times.

Al.

I've taken part in the round Mull yacht race a couple of times ( crew member ), both times we had zero wind after the Mull / Iona section and had to motor through Torran before waiting for slack tide through Corryvreckan !
16 knots would have been perfect

 

[mspenz]

Home tonight to zero wind and cold, still a better prospect than cold winds and doubtful ferry operations to the islands, that and the threat of wall to wall camper van white hell !