Scottish Islands Ferries: Arran, Mull, Iona, the Small Isles & Outer Hebrides
CalMac ferries to Arran, Bute, Cumbrae, Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, the Small Isles, Raasay, the Uists and Barra: crossing times and sailing patterns for 2026.
📋 Essential Pre-Departure Checklist
- ✓CalMac’s summer timetable runs to 18 October 2026; winter timetables apply from 19 October, with fewer sailings on many routes
- ✓Book vehicle space ahead on bookable routes, especially in summer
- ✓The Small Isles and Colonsay have sailings on set days only
- ✓For Iona, leave the car at Fionnphort: CalMac says vehicles need a permit from Argyll and Bute Council
Arran and the Clyde islands
Arran has two ferry routes: Ardrossan to Brodick (about 55 minutes, five return sailings most days in summer 2026) and Troon to Brodick (about 1 hour 20 minutes, three a day). In summer, Claonaig to Lochranza links north Arran with Kintyre in about 30 minutes. Closer to Glasgow, Largs to Cumbrae takes 10 minutes, every 20 minutes for most of the day; Colintraive to Rhubodach (Bute) is a 5-minute crossing every 30 minutes; and Gourock to Dunoon takes 20 to 25 minutes, about hourly.
Oban: Mull, Iona and the Inner Hebrides
Oban is the gateway to the Inner Hebrides. Iona is reached via Mull: the Fionnphort–Iona ferry takes about 10 minutes and runs frequently from 08:35. From Oban, Coll is about 2 hours 40 minutes (one sailing a day), Tiree 3 hours 20 to 50 minutes, Colonsay 2 hours 15 to 25 minutes on set days, and Lismore about 55 minutes with four sailings on weekdays. Kerrera is a 5-minute hop from Gallanach. On Mull’s north side, Tobermory to Kilchoan (Ardnamurchan) takes about 35 minutes, and Lochaline to Fishnish about 20 minutes.
The Small Isles from Mallaig
CalMac’s Small Isles ferry sails from Mallaig to Eigg (about 1 hour 20 minutes), Muck (1 hour 45 minutes direct), Rùm (1 hour 25 minutes direct) and Canna (about 2 hours 50 minutes via Rùm). Each island has sailings on only some days of the week, so plan around the published pattern.
Raasay, the Uists and Barra
From Skye, Sconser to Raasay takes about 25 minutes, and Uig to Lochmaddy (North Uist) about 1 hour 45 minutes. Within the Outer Hebrides, Leverburgh (Harris) to Berneray takes about an hour and Eriskay to Barra about 40 minutes. Mallaig to Lochboisdale (South Uist) is a summer route of about 3½ hours; Barra’s Castlebay is 4 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours from Oban.
CalMac island ferries: crossing times and sailings
From CalMac timetables (checked 29 September 2026; mostly summer 2026 patterns).
| Route | Sailings | Crossing |
|---|---|---|
| Ardrossan → Brodick (Arran) | 5 return sailings most days (summer) | about 55m |
| Troon → Brodick (Arran) | 3 a day | about 1h 20m |
| Largs → Cumbrae | every 20 minutes for most of the day | about 10m |
| Colintraive → Rhubodach (Bute) | every 30 minutes | about 5m |
| Fionnphort → Iona | frequently from 08:35 | about 10m |
| Oban → Coll | 1 a day | about 2h 40m |
| Oban → Tiree | 1 a day (summer) | 3h 20m – 3h 50m |
| Oban → Castlebay (Barra) | daily (summer) | 4h 45m – 7h |
| Mallaig → Eigg | 4 days a week | about 1h 20m |
| Sconser → Raasay | Mon–Sat, plus 3 on Sundays | about 25m |
| Uig → Lochmaddy (North Uist) | daily | about 1h 45m |
| Eriskay → Barra | 5 a day Mon–Sat | about 40m |
Checked 2026-09-29 against: CalMac: Ardrossan–Brodick · CalMac: travelling with pets · CalMac: ticket information. Policies change; confirm with the operator before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the ferry to Arran?
About 55 minutes from Ardrossan to Brodick, or about 1 hour 20 minutes from Troon (CalMac, summer 2026).
How do I get to Iona?
Via Mull: take the ferry from Oban to Craignure, cross Mull to Fionnphort, then the 10-minute Fionnphort–Iona ferry, which runs frequently from 08:35.
Do CalMac ferries run all year?
Most routes do, but CalMac switches to a winter timetable from 19 October 2026 with fewer sailings, and some routes, such as Claonaig–Lochranza and Mallaig–Lochboisdale, are summer-only.