So you’ve decided to visit one or more of the islands in the Southern Hebrides and now you’re looking for a way to get there. A few islands such as Islay, Tiree and Colonsay have an airport and most of the others are served by ferries from Caledonian MacBrayne, or Calmac as they are called in Scotland. Calmac is the main operator of ferry services in the west of Scotland and this is also the case in the Southern Hebrides although the Argyll and Bute Council runs a few smaller ferry services as well. If you’re planning to visit a few islands in the Southern Hebrides and want to include one or more other islands in the west of Scotland you might want to read the Island Hopping Guide where you’ll find a lot of useful information.
The sign for the Ulva Ferry on Mull
The following islands can be reached with one of Calmac’s ferries: Islay, Gigha, Colonsay, Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree and Lismore. Argyll and Bute Council runs the Port Askaig to Jura, Port Appin to Lismore, Easdale and Cuan to Luing services. The Ulva Ferry is privately run. That leaves a lot of islands uncovered by regular ferry services. Fortunately the area has many operators of scenic and wildlife cruises and a lot of them offer on demand or sometimes regular boat services to and from the other more remote islands. Detailed information on all the aspects of travelling to, within and from the Southern Hebridean islands can be found on the Travel page. Here you will also find each individual route and timetable for all the islands served by Calmac or Council ferries. Happy Travels!
Margaret Sinclair, the relief ferry between Port Askaig on Islay and Feolin on Jura
Calmac Ferry arrives from Oban at Colonsay