[Closed] Cal Mac & Scottish Islands

Not. A. Chance.

I didn’t think Calmac were taking bookings at the moment? Only residents and essential journeys allowed.

I’m booked on the boat from Oban to Tiree for a week at the start of June. Not holding my breath.

Edit. Inclined to agree with @scotroutes.

Feels a bit early to me.

Thought so, thanks.

We're not going to see any significant change to lockdown until the next 3-weekly review. That takes us to 28th May.

The furlough scheme is in place until end June.

Scottish schools don't go back until mid-August.

I'd be surprised to see any significant change (beyond travelling within local area and  extended social groups) until July at the very earliest.

Something to keep in mind is the end of Lockdown won't mean the virus is no longer a problem, it'll just mean theres room for us in Intensive Care and another wave of infections.

Small Scottish islands don't have Intensive Care Units

Absolutely no way that’s happening. Imo it’ll be September at least before we can travel for holidays domestically. Next year (at least) for outwith the UK.

We booked a week in a place on Lewis last year. We can cancel up until Friday.

A holiday in Cambridgeshire won't be quite the same.

Rather fewer sea eagles and sea otters, but many more dead muncjaks by the side of the road.

We’re supposed to be on Barra just now for my wife’s 40th birthday 🙁

I'm worried about our cycle tour in Argyll at October half term...

Not a chance in June.

Lockdown won't suddenly end. They'll let you into Esse trial services first. Going on holiday across the country will be the last thing the let you do I reckon.

You're either part of the problem of part of the solution.

CalMac are refunding fares for trips up to 15th JULY that are deemed non-essential. Unless your bringing food, materials or medication to your relatives it's not essential travel. It's completely understandable as a healthcare system that can barely cope with Jeff's boils and Morag's bad hip won't fare well if covid19 arrives.

We had to cancel our June trip to Uist. It's okay, it will still be there next year.

It's reasonably likely those offering bookings on Airbnb are not even residents of the island.

I'm hoping that we can get to Lewis & Harris in September.

😎

That might not even happen if  there's a 2nd peak

☹️

That might not even happen if there’s a 2nd peak

Surprised if it happens with this first peak! Germany are way ahead of us in handling this and only starting to think about domestic travel from late July onwards. We will be months after that I expect.

We're selling up in June and planning to build a new house on Mull - no chance of getting onto the island soon, so nearest decent rental we've found is Speyside! Many letting agents aren't even doing viewings, even of empty properties. It's going to take months to get back to any sense of normality.

...nearest decent rental we’ve found is Speyside! Many letting agents aren’t even doing viewings, even of empty properties. It’s going to take months to get back to any sense of normality.

@dovebiker - I may well need to rent my house out and back back onsite to keep my business afloat. 3 bed detached house in Glencoe (1 hour from Oban for ferry to mull). I’d even show you the local trails. Pm if interested.

So, our ferry to the north of Spain on May 31st not looking that likely then???
This site needs the irony emojis back...

Nae danger!

We’re selling up in June and planning to build a new house on Mull – no chance of getting onto the island soon, so nearest decent rental we’ve found is Speyside!

Have you already bought the plot? I don't forsee a huge problem with you moving to Mull, the ferries are running for essential travel, and moving house is in the current legislation as an exemption - but would be worth emailing calmac so you have confirmation when the ferry guy says no! Obviously it may not be easy to get building work done, or materials there, and your own sale may not go smoothly but I wouldn't presume Mull is closed if you are not simply being tourists.

Have you already bought the plot? I don’t forsee a huge problem with you moving to Mull, the ferries are running for essential travel, and moving house is in the current legislation as an exemption – but would be worth emailing calmac so you have confirmation when the ferry guy says no! Obviously it may not be easy to get building work done, or materials there, and your own sale may not go smoothly but I wouldn’t presume Mull is closed if you are not simply being tourists.

Waiting for the proceeds of the sale of our current house before we buy anything - I had planned a trip to view some plots, but then lockdown happened. Whilst there are some vacant rental properties, agents are refusing viewings and even had one saying that we couldn't rent something because we didn't want to make a 800 mile round-trip to view it - I'd seen the photos, I just wanted to give them my money! We're still planning on moving in mid-June but don't expect we'll get over to the island until July earliest.

@dovebiker - any progress with the move?

We're still hoping to get to Lewis in September if possible.

🤞

We moved last week and we're in our rental cottage on Speyside, near Aberlour - 11 hour drive went without a hitch apart from finding they'd shut the M4 at Reading.
We'll probably wait a week after they bring in the new ferry timetable mid-month before planning a trip to Mull - the pitchfork brigade might have calmed down a bit by then.
Having to adapt to the pace of life in the Highlands a bit - everything just takes longer to get here. Hardest part is managing without a fridge, particularly with last week's 'heat wave' - it was supposed to be delivered yesterday and then got a text to say its now tomorrow.

You'll adapt in no time. People often complain about the Spanish mañana approach. It's the same in most rural areas of the UK and Ireland!