Calmac ferry disruptions early April 2026
This blog was written before Easter, and unfortunately there are still ongoing disruptions. The press is full of headlines about current Calmac ferry disruptions. I wanted to write and give you some advice about how to make the best out of any inconvenient disruptions!
PLEASE REMEMBER – OBAN to CRAIGNURE is not the only ferry route we have! You can get to Mull via KILCHOAN to TOBERMORY or LOCHALINE to FISHNISH instead!
The Oban Craignure route
It is Easter weekend and at the moment we have a vastly reduced service. My own ferry home on Friday has already been cancelled. Commitments that morning mean I cannot get to Lochaline or Kilchoan in time to get in line for either of those crossings instead. I will stay with a friend and come home via Lochaline on Saturday.
This is possibly not the week to consider doing a day trip to Mull. However if you are coming to stay a few days or a week please don’t be disheartened, it is worth the effort!
Kilchoan to Tobermory route
The drive from the Corran ferry to Kilchoan is beautiful. The last bit is single track road but it follows Loch Sunart. There are cafe/tearoom/shop opportunities in Strontian, Salen and Glenborrodale (the Natural History centre).
This is a tiny ferry and a longer drive. If you can get to Kilchoan early in the day you will have a far better chance of getting across. I think a lot of disrupted travellers will be put off by the longer drive, which will play to your advantage.
When I was leaving Mull last weekend, a storm was affecting the ferries. The Oban route was cancelled because of it. I knew there would be big queues at Fishnish so I went to Tobermory and got on the lunchtime ferry – no queues. It was quite rough but the crew assured me the little boat handled that fine! And it did.
Lochaline to Fishnish route
This is our favoured route regardless of what is happening with the Oban crossing! We love the fact you don’t have to book. And that the drive across Rannoch Moor and through Glen Coe is spectacular whatever the weather. The takeaway cafe in a small caravan on the Ardgour side of the Corran ferry might be open. Also there are 2 other cafes in and around Lochaline – the Hub in the village by the shop and the Coal Shed Cafe at Ardtornish.
With the current disruptions I would advise aiming to arrive at Lochaline early afternoon at the latest and be prepared to wait. They usually shuffle this service back and forth rather than sticking to the timetable, the crew are amazing and will do their very best to get everyone across. When really under pressure Calmac will issue a message that they cannot guarantee to get everyone across after a certain time. But that is rare.
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We hope to see you soon!
