Caledonian MacBrayne

Tuesday, 8 March 2011

I've just calculated that I've visited the Isle of Mull on no fewer than 44 occasions, plus Iona, Lewis and Coll, which means around 100 journeys on the familiar black, white and red Calmac ferries.  And I'm (now) slightly ashamed to admit that I've been a little critical of Calmac in the past - mainly to do with the fact that you have to pay 20p to spend a penny at the Oban Ferry Terminal, and at Fionnphort on Mull (I know, it's a grumpy old man thing).

So today I'd like to sing the praises of Caledonian MacBrayne because they have promised to carry not just me and the bike but also the motorhome on our journeys across the Clyde (Gourock - Dunoon & Portavadie - Tarbert West), and to and from Mull and Skye.  This saves us a considerable outlay on what is fast becoming a rather expensive venture, so it's a great relief.  Special thanks go to Karen Moreland at Calmac HQ for taking the trouble to arrange things for us.

All this Scottish hospitality (which after 40+ visits to Mull is not surprising but just as welcome as ever) restores your faith in human nature, and even puts a spring in your step!

I'm been working for several days on the detailed route which is actually incredibly complicated, particularly wheh you have to factor in where to spend each night.  So often what looks like a caravan site turns out to be a static home park, which is no good to us of course.  But once again I have been really heartened by the number of site owners who have offered a free pitch for the night - my thanks to them all!