Can you tell me about car ferries?

[Seagullandclouds]

DH wants to go to the Western Isles (Harris or similar) and take the car. His idea being that we’ll enjoy the trip, and if so do similar to go to Isle of White, over to Ireland etc.

The idea slightly freaks me out, but I can’t find out much about the process of taking a ferry. In my head it’s a smallish boat with about 20 cars 😅and you just sit around and wait, but I see from the pictures that they are big!

So, can anyone tell me a bit more about what they are like? Any tips or tricks? How do you load your car on (I’m worried it will be like a really tight car park). How do you get from your car to the rest of the boat? Is there anything to do? How bad is it for getting seasick? Anything you would recommend for passing the time? Anything you wouldn’t do?

Book as far in advance as you can.

You do park nose to tail, to squeeze as many vehicles on as possible but the crew are ace and direct you. Generally they'll ask the locals to squeeze into the smallest spaces, as they know they can reverse.

Turn up well before the check in closes, late comers rarely get any sympathy. Or on the ferry.

Don't bother locking your car as constant alarms going off is not fun. And who's going to steal your car, or anything put of it?

The food is epic, try the Calmac and cheese.

For the love of all things holy, if you're travelling to a Scottish island, learn the rules of driving on a single track road and make sure you can, and do, reverse when required.

This is pretty much all you need to know!

Ferries to the Western Isles are huge, they have a cafeteria, a bar, observation lounge, TV lounge and a shop so there is plenty to see and do. The crew are good and will keep you right when driving on and off, enjoy your trip! The inter island ferries between Harris-berneray and Eriskay-Barra are small and you can sit in the car or get out but the journey is a lot shorter

Lochaline to Fishnish (on Mull) is a smaller ferry where the car deck is open. You can stay with your vehicle or climb the stairs to the small deck area. There's no lounges or restaurant on board but I can recommend the cafe on the quayside at Lochaline for a venison burger.

Literally back from Stornoway last week. Big beautiful ferry, lots of seating places, things to do and pretty good food. Don't overthink, just go! Awesome island.

Not sure if others have suggested seat61.com. Fantastic website that give all sorts of info on ferries. It contains videos, cost, times etc.