Let me know if you agree with my choice. I haven't been on all the crossings so if there's one better I'd love to hear. I'll be going on it anyway as I jump from island to island, so I can compare. Cheers, Ix
This really looks like a lovely ferry trip. I will definitely keep this trip in mind when I finally make my way to the West of Scotland. The ferry looks incredibly good too. And yes, thank you very much for mentioning me in this video 😀 I really appreciate that 😀
@Trond_travels You’ll need to check that it’s running first tho, ha I failed to mention how unreliable it is if the wind gets up slightly ha. Yey! You had the question and I was making up the answer at the same time. Ix
@IonaMacinnes Good point. Always check the weather and if it’s running. Anyway, I have to first start with the flight to Edinburgh and the train to Mallaig 😀
@alanlister8810 hi Alan, another wee perspective of the islands for you. Glad you enjoyed it, Scotland isn't looking quite as beautiful today, in fact so wet I could hardly see anything out my car window. Drove to Eriskay and couldn't see the causeway on its approach, no ferries, nowt. I'll be out again once it dries up a bit. Ix
@dieselbushcraft1299 oh I know, its hard isnt it. I'm home sick in Uist! Where would you like to go next, back to Barra do you think? A wee cycle round the east of the Island as I only went west last time but I loved it. Hope the weather is good this weekend. Ix
@ Well I think you will get your wish for nice weather as we are set fair for a while with High Pressure stuck over the top of us and the jet stream has a large amplification so it’s well to the north of us. I think the weather will be cold but calm. The west coast of Barra can be a bit wild straight off the Atlantic. Honestly I would need to visit Barra again and possibly rent a property for six months and see how it goes. For the moment all I can do is dream, pleasant dreams though.
Stunning scenery when the weather's nice & the dolphins jumping were amazing. Maybe April/May go to see the puffins when they're breeding and CalMac should sponsor you as an ambassador, You deserve free travel. Their prices are reasonable when you consider your travelling by sea . LOTI is legendary, Loch Seaforth is the biggest in the fleet, try that one. TX
@tezzah... I know that what I was thinking too so Ive decided, I'm going to go to Lunga in July when I go to Tiree so I'll see the Puffins there then, I'm so excited about that already ha. Yeah the prices are good actually, and they do stuff like local over 60's get 3 or 4 journeys a year free, as a foot passenger, no car tho but still good. When we went on the cruise it was the Loch Seaforth then, not sure if I showed a lot of it but it's my favourite. When I hear the Isle of Lewis is on I don't sail unless it's a summers day and flat calm. The poor Barra folk have a 5hr journey on the Isle of Lewis to Oban. I'll do it but only as a last resort. Next time I'm on the Loch Seaforth I'll make more effort to film some of it for you to see again. Ix
@@IonaMacinnes Can't wait to see what 2025 has instore for you , me and your followers, You've certainly got a packed diary, and I'm loving every minute you share, I really can't thank you enough for everything you do.. ❤Tx... P.S. your next challenge for 2025 is filming both Puffins & Otters....
Another beautiful video. I've got to agree with you Iona that it's the most scenic crossing in Scotland, I would even say the most scenic crossing in the UK. I've got to do this crossing one day soon but only if it's scorching. Thanks again for another cracker Iona. x
@daviemcf yeah, I think so. Until I have crossed all the islands and cruised all the calmat ferries between them I better keep quite but itll take a lot t beat this. There are a lot of sailing this year so Im looking forward to rating them from now on, maybe against this one. Glad you enjoyed it. Mind I said I had a few up my sleeve for bad weather situations. Cheers. Ix
Beautiful crossing Iona, the weather was stunning. I think the guy fishing must have snagged his line and caused the ferry to stop😉.....oh and congrats on 1K subscribers.
@markstothard630 Hi Mark, beautiful isn't it. All the crossings out of Mallaig are pretty spectacular on a day like this. Haha what a laugh them fishing tho. Thank you, how nice to have more people on board and its nice to get to 1k. Ix
Hi, Iona, that looks like a really nice ferry trip and the scenery and wildlife, the weather was good also, i went to South Africa eight years ago in march, it was very warm even then, i enjoyed seeing the animals etc but Scotland is aways my favourite place, i hope you have a good time on your trip in march, anyway thanks again Iona. 🙂❤
@andrewmcdonald793 South Africa, amazing! I was in East Africa in '23 and had been wanting to go SA but haven't yet, brilliant! Did you love it, where did you stay? I haven't ruled it out yet. The animals are the best thing in some countries. Glad you think so, me too. Thanks for coming to chat again Andrew, hope youve had a good w/e so far. Cheers, Ix
Hi Iona, I went with a friend to South Africa, we stayed at his cousins place outside Johannesburg, he runs a business there and his wife has a office in Johannesburg, the first week we went to Sun city and stayed there, we went to Kruger national park and saw the animals there, elephant, giraffe, zebra, rhino etc, on another day we went to the crocodile park, they also had the meer cats there, at night we went to the bars etc for something to eat and a few drinks, well more than a few drinks lol, it did not cost us much to eat and drink there, the second week we went to Durbham and stayed there, it was even warmer there, it was nice to get into the pool to cool off, at Durbham we went and seen this big old ship that has tanks with different types off fish that you can whatch, we went and seen the Dolphins jump throw hoops, my friend cousins wife does not agree with keeping the dolphins in captivity to do this, if your into surfing Durbham is good place to do it on the sea, the food, the fish are really good there, yes i did love it in South Africa, I think you would love it as well Iona, I hope you had a good weekend also. 🙂❤
@andrewmcdonald793 wow that sounds super cool, how fun having friends who like to travel with you who have an added bonus of having relatives to bunk in their house haha, now thats my kind of frineds. Oh the elephants and giraffes, and all the zebras, how cool is that. I would be goign daft seeing all that. I did see some of these animals in Uganda we went on Safari there but i didnt see elephants. Ok all of this is great tips isnt it. Now did you feel safe in Johannesburg I guess would be my next question? Id be on my pwn, would that be a bad idea or would Cape Town be safer d'you think? Ill have to look up Durdham, not heard of there beofore so maybe that would be good place, near the sea. i was supposed to go to Capetown in 1998 on a Uni Elective but I went to Calgary, Alberta instead, that was pretty cool, up the rockies but i feel I've missed out not going to South Africa up unitl now even. Thanks for all your chat on it tho, great to hear from someone who has been. Ix
Congratulations on your 1000 subscribers! Great view again, I love our ferry routes and the food is good on them. On my last trip to Arran we got a replacement ferry (not Calmac) that had no canteen and I was disappointed as I was looking forward to my nice lunch on the ferry lol
@Mo_goes_miles thank you, it's lovely to have so many supportive people watch my wee videos. Oh I wonder if you had the Alfred? There was no food service on that boat, she came from Orkney on loan for a while so no CalMac & Cheese on that one. Ix
Another Norwegian here... But I live in Paisley and I am collecting CalMac ferry routes after just completing all ScotRail routes (yes, I am member of the Dull Men Club). I did Lochboisdale to Oban ten years ago but I guess I need to go back and do this one plus the small isles too. This after CalMac has sorted out the ferry chaos/got new ferries. I am halfway through the CalMac routes too. Thanx for the video. My favourite so far is Bernaray to Leverburgh. Magic.
@progster999 hello, nice to hear from another Norwegian. No way, you've done all the scotrail routes, how long have you taken to do that and which one has the best views would you say? I'll need to take some advice from you, think you're qualified to say. Have you seen my wee short of Berneray to Leverburgh? or the first video on my cruise, a lot of that is getting to Lewis from South Uist so you might like to see the weather in that one over the Sound of Harris crossing, haha. I agree the Berneray to Leverburgh is a good one too. I'll be on it soon to do a wee video so you can come back and look for that one later. Nice to chat with you, and the small isles crossings are so great, so I hope you enjoy them when you get round to it. I loved all the islands but Canna then Eigg might just have topped it for me. Cheers. Ix
@@IonaMacinnes Hi. I have been in UK for the last 28 years and it took me 25 years to complete ScotRail (after I by accident completed NorthernIrelandRail... not many routes), including the brand new River Leven railway in Fife. The best one is Glasgow - Mallaig followed by Inverness to Thurso and Inverness to Kyle Of Lochalsh. Honourable mention to the 50 minutes long new old The Borders railway line. I am planning to stay some days in Mallaig to do the Small Isles and then go to Lochboisdale and up to Stornoway by bus. I guess it will take me some years to complete CalMac. Nice to chatting to you. torodd
@progster999 I was thinking that would be the best one. I've driven but not taken this train so i'll be doing that too one time, thanks for giving me your faves, I bet a lot of folk would agree with the first one anyway. I've done the Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness before and that was lovely. I might get the train up to Thurso one time, maybe when I decide to go back to visit Orkney so that will definately be fun, maybe i jsut hire a car in orkney insteda of driving up. Ive driven it in a camper van years ago but cant really remember it so thats a good shout. Ix
I can see why you love this crossing. The views are incredible! Off topic: you mentioned trying other types of whisky to see if you found one you liked....if you see Frasier of Scotland Whisky Liqueur, you might want to give it a try. Its not a single malt, but a whisky that's infused with wild strawberries and hints of vanilla, almond, and cinnamon. Soooo tasty!
@wendym-mu5dw oh flipping heck a whisky with strawberry, vanilla, almonds are you kidding me on! oh I need to taste this somewhere, maybe when I go to Glasgow for country to country in March before the cruise. ohh good tip thanks. I haven't even tried whisky since Raasay 🥃 Cheers, Ix
I'm sure that you and mother will have an equally fun cruise in March, if had to choose, I'd choose Scotland. Still love guaranteed in the main holidays in the sun, but.......x
@ericthearfaviking7579 Mums staying firmly on Lewis soil while I go galavanting with a friend this time. I just need some sun so the Canaries are a good bet in March. I agree, nowhere will beat the views we have here. Ix
Let me know if you agree with my choice. I haven't been on all the crossings so if there's one better I'd love to hear. I'll be going on it anyway as I jump from island to island, so I can compare. Cheers, Ix
That is a brilliant crossing...seeing all the wee islands on the way.......
Beautiful weather too............
@shiskinegreenkeeper2782 isn't it brilliant, I know it was such good weather I was so lucky, dont think its been that good since I filmed this. Ix
Great video again beautiful scenery lots of wildlife.
@declanconway2903 too good not to share I thought. Yeah I know, it's beautiful, glad you watched to see it. Ix
This really looks like a lovely ferry trip. I will definitely keep this trip in mind when I finally make my way to the West of Scotland. The ferry looks incredibly good too. And yes, thank you very much for mentioning me in this video 😀 I really appreciate that 😀
@Trond_travels You’ll need to check that it’s running first tho, ha I failed to mention how unreliable it is if the wind gets up slightly ha. Yey! You had the question and I was making up the answer at the same time. Ix
@IonaMacinnes Good point. Always check the weather and if it’s running. Anyway, I have to first start with the flight to Edinburgh and the train to Mallaig 😀
@Trond_travels plenty to organise isnt it. Yes getting in to the country is a good start then you can work it all out from there. Ix
Thanks Iona, another look at beautiful Scotland x
@alanlister8810 hi Alan, another wee perspective of the islands for you. Glad you enjoyed it, Scotland isn't looking quite as beautiful today, in fact so wet I could hardly see anything out my car window. Drove to Eriskay and couldn't see the causeway on its approach, no ferries, nowt. I'll be out again once it dries up a bit. Ix
Another great video and another reason to love Scotland a wee bit more ❤😊Px.
@oupintu2071 It's spectacular on a clear day isn't it. Glad you liked it. Ix
Another lovely video, your videos make me feel home sick as I love the western isles and I want to call them my home.
@dieselbushcraft1299 oh I know, its hard isnt it. I'm home sick in Uist! Where would you like to go next, back to Barra do you think? A wee cycle round the east of the Island as I only went west last time but I loved it. Hope the weather is good this weekend. Ix
@ Well I think you will get your wish for nice weather as we are set fair for a while with High Pressure stuck over the top of us and the jet stream has a large amplification so it’s well to the north of us. I think the weather will be cold but calm. The west coast of Barra can be a bit wild straight off the Atlantic.
Honestly I would need to visit Barra again and possibly rent a property for six months and see how it goes. For the moment all I can do is dream, pleasant dreams though.
This is another wonderful video... many thanks for sharing xx
@AndrewFulton my pleasure, wanted to share it with you all, a beauty day on the ferry. Ix
Stunning scenery when the weather's nice & the dolphins jumping were amazing. Maybe April/May go to see the puffins when they're breeding and CalMac should sponsor you as an ambassador, You deserve free travel. Their prices are reasonable when you consider your travelling by sea . LOTI is legendary, Loch Seaforth is the biggest in the fleet, try that one. TX
@tezzah... I know that what I was thinking too so Ive decided, I'm going to go to Lunga in July when I go to Tiree so I'll see the Puffins there then, I'm so excited about that already ha. Yeah the prices are good actually, and they do stuff like local over 60's get 3 or 4 journeys a year free, as a foot passenger, no car tho but still good. When we went on the cruise it was the Loch Seaforth then, not sure if I showed a lot of it but it's my favourite. When I hear the Isle of Lewis is on I don't sail unless it's a summers day and flat calm. The poor Barra folk have a 5hr journey on the Isle of Lewis to Oban. I'll do it but only as a last resort. Next time I'm on the Loch Seaforth I'll make more effort to film some of it for you to see again. Ix
@@IonaMacinnes Can't wait to see what 2025 has instore for you , me and your followers, You've certainly got a packed diary, and I'm loving every minute you share, I really can't thank you enough for everything you do.. ❤Tx... P.S. your next challenge for 2025 is filming both Puffins & Otters....
Another beautiful video. I've got to agree with you Iona that it's the most scenic crossing in Scotland, I would even say the most scenic crossing in the UK. I've got to do this crossing one day soon but only if it's scorching. Thanks again for another cracker Iona. x
@daviemcf yeah, I think so. Until I have crossed all the islands and cruised all the calmat ferries between them I better keep quite but itll take a lot t beat this. There are a lot of sailing this year so Im looking forward to rating them from now on, maybe against this one. Glad you enjoyed it. Mind I said I had a few up my sleeve for bad weather situations. Cheers. Ix
Beautiful crossing Iona, the weather was stunning.
I think the guy fishing must have snagged his line and caused the ferry to stop😉.....oh and congrats on 1K subscribers.
@markstothard630 Hi Mark, beautiful isn't it. All the crossings out of Mallaig are pretty spectacular on a day like this. Haha what a laugh them fishing tho. Thank you, how nice to have more people on board and its nice to get to 1k. Ix
Hi, Iona, that looks like a really nice ferry trip and the scenery and wildlife, the weather was good also, i went to South Africa eight years ago in march, it was very warm even then, i enjoyed seeing the animals etc but Scotland is aways my favourite place, i hope you have a good time on your trip in march, anyway thanks again Iona. 🙂❤
@andrewmcdonald793 South Africa, amazing! I was in East Africa in '23 and had been wanting to go SA but haven't yet, brilliant! Did you love it, where did you stay? I haven't ruled it out yet. The animals are the best thing in some countries. Glad you think so, me too. Thanks for coming to chat again Andrew, hope youve had a good w/e so far. Cheers, Ix
Hi Iona, I went with a friend to South Africa, we stayed at his cousins place outside Johannesburg, he runs a business there and his wife has a office in Johannesburg, the first week we went to Sun city and stayed there, we went to Kruger national park and saw the animals there, elephant, giraffe, zebra, rhino etc, on another day we went to the crocodile park, they also had the meer cats there, at night we went to the bars etc for something to eat and a few drinks, well more than a few drinks lol, it did not cost us much to eat and drink there, the second week we went to Durbham and stayed there, it was even warmer there, it was nice to get into the pool to cool off, at Durbham we went and seen this big old ship that has tanks with different types off fish that you can whatch, we went and seen the Dolphins jump throw hoops, my friend cousins wife does not agree with keeping the dolphins in captivity to do this, if your into surfing Durbham is good place to do it on the sea, the food, the fish are really good there, yes i did love it in South Africa, I think you would love it as well Iona, I hope you had a good weekend also. 🙂❤
@andrewmcdonald793 wow that sounds super cool, how fun having friends who like to travel with you who have an added bonus of having relatives to bunk in their house haha, now thats my kind of frineds. Oh the elephants and giraffes, and all the zebras, how cool is that. I would be goign daft seeing all that. I did see some of these animals in Uganda we went on Safari there but i didnt see elephants. Ok all of this is great tips isnt it. Now did you feel safe in Johannesburg I guess would be my next question? Id be on my pwn, would that be a bad idea or would Cape Town be safer d'you think? Ill have to look up Durdham, not heard of there beofore so maybe that would be good place, near the sea. i was supposed to go to Capetown in 1998 on a Uni Elective but I went to Calgary, Alberta instead, that was pretty cool, up the rockies but i feel I've missed out not going to South Africa up unitl now even. Thanks for all your chat on it tho, great to hear from someone who has been. Ix
Congratulations on your 1000 subscribers! Great view again, I love our ferry routes and the food is good on them. On my last trip to Arran we got a replacement ferry (not Calmac) that had no canteen and I was disappointed as I was looking forward to my nice lunch on the ferry lol
@Mo_goes_miles thank you, it's lovely to have so many supportive people watch my wee videos. Oh I wonder if you had the Alfred? There was no food service on that boat, she came from Orkney on loan for a while so no CalMac & Cheese on that one. Ix
@IonaMacinnes yes I think it was, it was on loan from Pentland
Another Norwegian here... But I live in Paisley and I am collecting CalMac ferry routes after just completing all ScotRail routes (yes, I am member of the Dull Men Club). I did Lochboisdale to Oban ten years ago but I guess I need to go back and do this one plus the small isles too. This after CalMac has sorted out the ferry chaos/got new ferries. I am halfway through the CalMac routes too. Thanx for the video. My favourite so far is Bernaray to Leverburgh. Magic.
@progster999 hello, nice to hear from another Norwegian. No way, you've done all the scotrail routes, how long have you taken to do that and which one has the best views would you say? I'll need to take some advice from you, think you're qualified to say. Have you seen my wee short of Berneray to Leverburgh? or the first video on my cruise, a lot of that is getting to Lewis from South Uist so you might like to see the weather in that one over the Sound of Harris crossing, haha. I agree the Berneray to Leverburgh is a good one too. I'll be on it soon to do a wee video so you can come back and look for that one later. Nice to chat with you, and the small isles crossings are so great, so I hope you enjoy them when you get round to it. I loved all the islands but Canna then Eigg might just have topped it for me. Cheers. Ix
@@IonaMacinnes Hi. I have been in UK for the last 28 years and it took me 25 years to complete ScotRail (after I by accident completed NorthernIrelandRail... not many routes), including the brand new River Leven railway in Fife. The best one is Glasgow - Mallaig followed by Inverness to Thurso and Inverness to Kyle Of Lochalsh. Honourable mention to the 50 minutes long new old The Borders railway line. I am planning to stay some days in Mallaig to do the Small Isles and then go to Lochboisdale and up to Stornoway by bus. I guess it will take me some years to complete CalMac. Nice to chatting to you. torodd
@progster999 I was thinking that would be the best one. I've driven but not taken this train so i'll be doing that too one time, thanks for giving me your faves, I bet a lot of folk would agree with the first one anyway. I've done the Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness before and that was lovely. I might get the train up to Thurso one time, maybe when I decide to go back to visit Orkney so that will definately be fun, maybe i jsut hire a car in orkney insteda of driving up. Ive driven it in a camper van years ago but cant really remember it so thats a good shout. Ix
I tell you what whatever you're doing is working. You seem to have fantastic weather lately. I can't quit thinking about Muck😂
@danielchance2217 you're going to have to go to Muck arent you, ha. Well it wasnt today thankfully as the weather is pretty rubbish now. Ix
I can see why you love this crossing. The views are incredible! Off topic: you mentioned trying other types of whisky to see if you found one you liked....if you see Frasier of Scotland Whisky Liqueur, you might want to give it a try. Its not a single malt, but a whisky that's infused with wild strawberries and hints of vanilla, almond, and cinnamon. Soooo tasty!
@wendym-mu5dw oh flipping heck a whisky with strawberry, vanilla, almonds are you kidding me on! oh I need to taste this somewhere, maybe when I go to Glasgow for country to country in March before the cruise. ohh good tip thanks. I haven't even tried whisky since Raasay 🥃 Cheers, Ix
@IonaMacinnes 😄 Cheers!
I'm sure that you and mother will have an equally fun cruise in March, if had to choose, I'd choose Scotland.
Still love guaranteed in the main holidays in the sun, but.......x
@ericthearfaviking7579 Mums staying firmly on Lewis soil while I go galavanting with a friend this time. I just need some sun so the Canaries are a good bet in March. I agree, nowhere will beat the views we have here. Ix
@IonaMacinnes Totally understand, great to get guaranteed sun, change of scenery, food and seeing your tub of nuts travelling the seas lol. X 😉
Haha👍 Ix