CalMac's smallest ferry to Scotland's most underrated island? Join us on a walk around Kerrera.
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If you are ever in Oban and fancy a trip to the islands, you might end up on Mull, or even push out further to Coll or Tiree. And why not, these are all wonderful island adventures. But don't dismiss Kerrera, the closest island of them all and a place full of surprises! Caledonian MacBrayne's smallest ferry will take you there from Gallanach in little longer than it takes to boil a kettle. And when you get there you'll feel a million miles from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. Kerrera may well be Scotland's most underrated island, I'll be honest and say I'd never even heard of it until a couple of years ago. Now it's one of my favourite places in the whole country.
Hi, I’m Steve. I am a travel reviewer and post my trip reports here on TH-cam. I pay for my own travel and produce my own videos. If you have any questions about my journeys or travel advice in general, please drop me a comment - I do my best to respond to every single one. I’d also love to hear any recommendations you may have for future content, or why not challenge me to try something a little out of the ordinary! If you are looking to collaborate on any type of project, I’d love to hear from you - email me your ideas and hopefully we can work together in the future.
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#Kerrera #Calmac #Scotland
Enjoy the video and enjoy my mispronunciation of the name of this wonderful wee island :)
Fantastic video. I've sailed all round this place so many times, but never explored it on foot as you have done. Thanks for the tour.
Remember the rolling "r's" Kerrrrerrra! I was in a Polish bar in Bedford a couple of years ago, and the punters kept saying to me "Say arrr"!😀
Hi Steve, came across your video while looking up where “Ring of Bright Water” was filmed, starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, some miles north of Oban on the Isle of Seil. I did doubt my pronunciation of the isle of Kerrera, but read into the comments I was right! I noticed when you bought the ice cream tubs it says the Wee Isle which is a dairy farm in the Isle of Gigha ( ghee-ah) not jee. I haven’t scrolled down far enough in your vids to see whether you’ve been there yet. It’s on the Kintyre Peninsula 70 miles north of Oban. It is part of the Inner Hebrides and well worth a visit. Kintyre was originally the foothold of the Kingdom of Dalriada. Campbeltown in the southeast of the peninsula was the whisky capital of the world with over 30 working distilleries. Springbank Distillery and the Glen Scotia Distillery are the two that are well known for producing quality whisky to date. I look forward to watching your other ventures along with your partner. Slainte Mhath.
We have only just seen this as started following you this Spring...we thought we had seen all your Scottish ones but no! We found this one the other night. Really love the look and feel of the island and it was so relaxed. It felt like the spirit of the place really came through in the footage. Thank you.
Steve - from the US - my wife and I SO love your videos of our favorite country, Scotland, and all else. Esp. the fact that you allow the places you visit to declare themselves, versus other TH-camrs, who spend most of their time yapping and self-branding. Alicja is a brilliant and adorable companion. All the best from your fans in New England!
This was simply sublime. 27 minutes of pure indulgence but without the calories. Thank you so much.
I noticed one thumb's down for this video. I didn't know sheep had access to the Internet but it must have been No.6.
Haha I must respect him for the consistency of his hate towards us :)
My favourite place on earth is Argyll. The colours are so vivid. I love Oban and the west coast islands. Look at that blue sky.
We have 250+ channels with our TV package but preferred watching this. We have enjoyed at least four family holidays at Gallanach and often considered taking the ferry to Kerrera, now we know what we missed and hope we get another opportunity. Thanks for posting.
Keith that is so kind of you! Thanks very much :)
I'm not surprised you have had so many favourable comments. Thank you so much for putting up this delightful video. I have such happy memories of a solitary walk around part of this peaceful island when up staying with relatives living in Oban before they died. Very special.
Thanks for watching Peter! Peaceful is a perfect word to sum up Kerrera! Absolutely love it there and hard to imagine you're only a 4 minute ferry ride from Oban :)
@@steve-marsh again thanks for the reply mate. Hopefully the world and its dog will come to their senses real soon. As always great video.
what a great little island ,and a great day too, takes you away from all the madness for a day, thank you so much for that guys, God bless
Our pleasure Douglas! Thanks for coming along for the adventure :)
@@steve-marsh Aye Steve, typical sunny day in SCOTLAND, I had similar weather on my visit 5years ago. Is it gylen castle??. Nr the lovely t-room. Over FORTY years of exploring BONNIE SCOTLAND have been blessed with good weather, in all seasons, for 95% of the time!!!!.😎👍
Went on holiday with my parents to Oban as we often used to (my Mum was in the Services and there for the duration the second War and had many friends there) and one time we took our boat (around 1955), only a wee one with an outboard and circumnavigated the Island (of Kerrera) . The one thing I remember so clearly was seeing the many seals basking on the rocks, still have a photo of them, and my father also pointed out the concrete slips where the boats were hauled up during the War. Thanks again Steve, brings back happy memories. Heck, how much longer to the Ice Creams!?!?
What a lovely place, so peaceful and tranquil. The marina on Karrera was a seaplane base during WW2. I'm glad you and Alicija enjoyed your ice cream! 🍦🍦
Thank you Steve and Allicia for letting me join you on your adventures this year. As always lovely video and the snow looks great. Where I live we don't get snow(Southern Hemisphere lol). May you guys have a blessed Christmas and best regards from South Africa🌞
Memories, memories. As a family of 4 we crossed to the island to do the Island circumnavigation walk many years ago (perhaps 1(80 ish). We had to flip a request board to call the ferry, it was just a small launch. Part of a great visit to Scotland, memories that last a lifetime.
Been to Mull on ferry, then on to Iona and Staffa. Unforgettable!!!
Great trip Steve my grandkids have visited there they took bikes and loved it
Oh great idea David! We need bikes for sure !
Love the video, brought back so many memories of my family holiday there in 1961, the house we stayed in appears @ 13:21, was 3 flats back then and a boat was included in the rental. I remember many visits to the farm to collect eggs, milk and home baked bread. Thanks for sharing your visit.
That is so cool! Thanks for sharing Martin!
We enjoyed that. Beautiful little island and bound to get a few more visitors thanks to your film 👍
It certainly deserved more attention :) thanks for coming along!
What a great video, the scenery was pretty mindblowing, oh to live somewhere like that, the peace and quiet would be priceless 👍
Couldn't agree more, We'd move there tomorrow if we could, just stunning! Even if the weather isn't always as kind.
I was born and live in Oban , and I’ve only been to kerrera once . I know how much better life is on the west coast .Great video guys
A wonderful tour on a stunning day! I can’t believe you missed the amazing tea room near the castle though (just when you were gasping for a drink!); it was right on the main path too... was a couple of years ago that I was there so maybe it wasn’t open when you did your visit.
Cheers Steve! Yeah, it was closed unfortunately :(
I love that tea room, they have such amazing home made food 💚
But they are only open parts of the year.
I visited Kerrera with my parents many years ago. It was great to get a taste of what it must be like to live there. It is both tranquil and scenic. An interesting video.
Cheers Alasdair! I'll be heading that way again this weekend, just a wee bit further south
What a great video, with a trimendous sunset at the very end, l say well done to the both of you, keep safe till the next time.
I've been to oban and he surrounding area hundreds of times and visiting this little gem never popped up on the radar even though I always stare longingly at the house on the North of the island facing oban. Its a dream house. Thank you for the vid, I'll definitely be visiting in the coming weeks.
Nice one! Enjoy :)
Stayed in that house in a family holiday in the early 70s - was a great adventure and long lasting memories for us kids of beach bonfires, seal spotting and long walks exploring the island. The owner rowed us back and forward to Oban, two at a time across the bay! Then a few years later, saw it in the Sunday Mail as a place used by drugs barons and subject of a big police raid that made national headlines!
Totally inspired by your superior travel videos. Really pleased I've come across you as Scotland is the destination of our next 3 holidays. Thank you
Amazing! I hope you have an awesome time :)
Four minutes? That's quicker than the Woolwich Ferry! I wish we had surroundings like this, too.
Once again, Steve, you've found a fascinating subject for one of your very personal-style "blogs", and thanks for bringing it to us. A breath of the Western Isles while we're still restricted in our travel options.
I remember my first visit to Oban in 1983 when we were taken by the skipper/owner of the "puffer" VIC32 for a day's cruise aboard the PS "Waverley". We sailed down the Gulf past Kerrera and south to pass through the whirlpools of the Corryvreckan between the north end of Jura, and Scarba before returning to Oban..
We returned some years later to take a three day cruise aboard the last of the"traditional" CalMac ferries, "Columba" on her sailings to Colonsay, Mull and Iona, and Tiree and Coll, the year before she was withdrawn in favour of the big Ro-Ro boats. She's been reincarnated as the "Hebridean Princess", received Royal patronage, and her cruises are far more expensive than the modest £70 we paid for our "full board" passage back then!.
I know the Harbour Bar in Oban well, with its extensive range of malt whiskies shelved behind the bar, but I never knew there was a Kerrera ferry!
Wow what a bargain that was Hugh :) those trips sound absolutely magical! I've grown to really like Oban. The first time I visited I was a bit put off just by how busy it was, but now I see why! Have still to try the famous seafood cabin right down beside the CalMac ferries - it has such a great reputation and gives me more excuses to return there soon! Hope all is well with you :)
@@steve-marsh I've just retired after 65 years working. It feels a bit strange, but will give the opportunity to do a bit more exploring for myself as things ease, hopefully,.Though have to go far to match some of the locations you report on! Keep well yourselves.
A wee bit smaller than Skye or the Orkneys BUT what a place for a cycle ride around on a trail bike (time then for 'the Castle' and a 'picnic' too - bring your own spread & enjoy a great day), in just one day - wonderful coverage, Thanks Guys.
Sounds great!
I think I’ve found a new place to add to my plans for 2022! Thank you so much for going here and filming an amazing video of a truly gorgeous place.
Our travel lists just keep getting bigger eh Stephanie! :)
@@steve-marsh - that they do!
Another great video Steve, and what a stellar day. You two are great all-seasons ambassadors for Scotland.
Cheers John! 😊
Barter with the ferry driver, half price mate if you take us in the rubber dingy! That was nice leaving a calling card at the ice cream place, very classy! Thanks for sharing the adventure!
Haha love it :) cheer Frank!
Great film, thoroughly enjoyed it, I'd love to visit there someday.
Cheers Nic! Hope you make it there one day :)
What a beautiful part of the world I am ever so slightly envious but who knows, one day.Thanks for a wonderful video and take care.
Thanks Simon! Glad you could come along :) Hope you're doing well!
@@steve-marsh Always a pleasure to come on a walk with you, I trust you and yours are all well and doing fine as am I,cheers, Si.
Thank you for this lovely video. It brought back memories when I lived in Oban and Kerrera was my island. Have been there many , many times, mostly on bike, or just getting lost on my walks. It was funny when you picked up the hard way to the south. And Gylen castle was just round the corner from Tea garden. Next time take a bike and go to the left from ferry. Cheers for the memories.
Such good advice on the route :) So glad I could bring back happy memories!
That's it. That's my favourite. Husband just watched it all the way through with me (very unusual, he doesnt usually stay still for so long) and guess where we're going. We wanted to come up to Scotland and his nibs has just declared "were going there". I'm off to sort the campervan out 😀
Haha it's such a magical place, you'll absolutely love it there! And Oban has some great spots for camper vans - just give me a shout if you need more info nearer the time :)
@@steve-marsh Thanks Steve. Will definitely do that, the hands of an expert are always useful 😊👍
What a lovely walk I’ve shared with you both
Marie - thanks for coming along! :)
Thank you for showing a beautiful place that I had never heard of! I wish I was there to enjoy it
Thanks Jane!
"I'm not a number! I'm a free lamb!"
Haha :) and when the farmer sprayed the number on the lamb, the mum was trying to lick it off! Too young for tattoos she said...
*maniacal laughter*
🤣🤣🤣🤣
I was going to say that’s why number 6 is so cantankerous🤣 He’s the Prisoner
Pro trick: watch movies at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.
What a great video. So much info and both of your commentaries really add to the adventure. Your videos are coming on in leaps and bounds and always worth a watch. Great work 👍
Thanks so much Tudor! This was a pleasure to make on such a stunning day!
It’s just Wonderful this very scenic route you are taking! Just Walking along like soldiers!
what a nice day, thanks for sharing it with us 5000 miles west in Churchill Montana, its a glorious morning here, going to go foraging for moss and willow over in Paradise valley, the antelope and mule deer are bedded down still on the drive going to let them move on before we head out, so having breakfast under the aspen watching the bald eagles repair their nest
That sounds absolutely idyllic! Wow! We hope to visit someday soon!
@@steve-marsh Right on,when you do give us a shout, we will steer you in the right direction.
What a gorgeous place and great video! Looked like a fun hike around the island. I love when you include all of the animals that you come across on your travels. It seemed like a very intimate walk, in that you pass right through private property. I'd guess you would want to speak quietly and go through as gently as possible. It looks to be such a magical place though. The path looked easy to walk, the views were stunning, and that tiny ferry was so charming. That's a place to see for sure. Thanks to both of you for taking us along with you. I enjoyed it so much!
An amazing video! It absolutely made my day. That is such a beautiful place and apparently off the usual tourist routes. Thank you so much.
I have to add that your camera and your camera work are both great. The images just jump out of my screen in vivid colour.
Thanks Heather! The weather really helped with that 😊
my cousin is up at the place you left your card, ashamed to say i havent been over to visit as it looks amazing!
Thanks for introducing this island to me. Looks like a good place to visit.
Thanks for coming along :)
Your videos area a great alternative for Aussies who have not been able to visit Scotland during Covid.
Absolutely love going to these places where honesty survives. In ayrshire myself. You cant beat the west coast of scotland!!
So true, magical place :)
Lovely video Steve. ✋🏻
Can’t get enough of those obscure island destinations
You and me both Norman :)
Once again you visited a place I know from long ago. A summer holiday in Oban with my wife in 1961. It rained a lot and we trudged around Kerrera in the rain. It doesn't look like its changed much.
Another great video Steve!! Beautiful scenery
Cheers Peter, it sure is a lovely place (that I had no idea about until last year!)
@@steve-marsh you never know what is on your doorstep until you experience it. Same with me walking the Thames Path, able to see so much beautiful countryside that you don't know is there until you stumble upon it
Thanks mate for bringing us on this trip.I woulda liked a closer look of the castle though.Next time perhaps.
Yeah, we would have loved to but it was a step too far on this occasion, but you're right - next time :)
@@steve-marsh you got a reason to visit again 👍
I enjoyed the scenery and most of all your cheerful relationship with each other.
Thanks Ellen :)
Hello from Tenerife,another island! Thanks for the video. It brought back some happy memories of when I worked for the BBC for twelve years in Glasgow and had a small touring caravan. Managed to see many of the islands and highlands, but didn't manage this one. Wouldn't have realised that Alisja was anything but Scottish with her excellent English! Looking forward to more.
Cheers Colin, sound like you did it all the right way :)
Brilliant, loved every minute of it. Thanks to you both
Cheers for coming along Phil! :)
After spending six years living onboard ocean-going vessels I am here to say there is nothing more calming than being at sea. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm a regular visitor to Kerrera and enjoyed this, thanks. On my last visit there was an OpenReach van on the ferry which took a bit of handling to get on and off! The weekly ferry from Oban to Colonsay sometimes goes between Kerrera and the mainland, depending on tides/currents (at the Captain's discretion) which gives you a good view - otherwise it goes round the seaward side of the island. It's certainly a good place to chill for a day.
Thanks so much! I'd love to have seen the van getting on and off the ferry :) Have you seen my Coll video too? That was a nice sailing past Kerrera :)
Kerrera looks a lovely wee place....you certainly had the weather that day and beautiful sunset.
Thanks for watching! Yeah, we got VERY lucky! :)
What a great day for some island adventure! Guess not that many people know about this place before. Need to head there once places open up
Oh absolutely add it to the list, I love a small island :)
On TH-cam, there are many travel clips that try to convey the feeling of "being there" - Steve always has the ability to take you on the journey with him, and discover the location in an informative and friendly manner, that few else can do !
That is extremely kind John, so glad what I try to do is actually working :)
To make Steve's videos even better, I fire up Google Earth and zoom in on where he's trekking. Its great to see exactly where in the world he's visiting.
Oh that was lovely - thanks for doing all the walking! The sheep were a bit rude though :D
Haha ain't that the truth - not happy with us at ALL :D
What a lovely island - thank you for sharing your hike. I really enjoyed this!
You are leading me into serious temptation !
Haha good! :)
Awe what a beauty you picked . Didn't think I'd be going over the water today. So lovely and interesting.truly lovely place, you sure pick them.😍That's what you call remote lol.the postie👌
Margaret, I'd take all the rainy days no problem to have the posties job :) I'll need to steal his quad bike and uniform next time
Loved it, its now on my to do list for the summer, so many photo opportunities, awesome
Yes it would be a dream for photos! :)
Looks so beautiful across all the Isles
This channel is so in vibe with my style of travel 😊.
Happy to hear that! Cheers :)
@SteveMarsh
Been to 5 Islands with you these past 2 nights. Some great views from Kerrera. That ferry looks to be fairly new! and my last one Sunday morning @8am your walk from Corrour.
Great video again Steve, really enjoying all your adventures with the good wife around beautiful Scotland, will be venturing there as soon as I get our motorhome conversion finished.
Thanks for all you do to remind us how beautiful this great land is.
Martin and Dawn Heppenstall from the
Yorkshire Dales
Hi Martin and Dawn! All the best with the conversion, exciting times :)
Cracking day trip.I admit I'd never heard of the İsland or the ferry crossing until the video.
You guys must be the fittest You Tubers in the UK.
Just rewatched this Steve - that sunset right at the end. Wow! Breathtaking.
Another lucky weather day eh!? :)
Thanks for the memories. We walked the south half of the island in 2011. That gave us time to visit the tea garden and the castle. A brilliant day out!
I could so have done with a tea!
New subscriber here. There’s something very calming about the videos steve. Good job squire.
Thanks so much and welcome aboard Benjamin! :)
Hi guys, beautiful video. Such a great little island, s sorry to say I had no idea this island even existed. My wife and I have visited Oban twice and fell in love with the town and surroundings. Very nice people, too. Scotland has become my number one holiday destination and I hope to drive the famous 500 route soon.
Greetings from Cumbria in the U.K. guys, stay safe and well.
Thanks so much for the lovely message! Glad you enjoy Scotland and all the best to you in wonderful Cumbria - haste ye back soon :)
What a lovely place. Brilliant video.
Cheers Bill!
Her breakfast looked great. Thanks for sharing
This was the second one of your videos I watched when I discovered your films.Kerrera is a wonderful island, particularly on a Summer's day.
Cheers David, just wish I'd pronounced it correctly :D
@@steve-marsh Half the locals can't pronounce it correctly! Having said that, you get tourists looking for the boat to Tenenay( Think about it!🤣🤣)
Fond memories of the Ballachulish rotating ferry in the 70s before the bridge was built. I used to absolutely love going on it in the car.
It's a beautiful bridge, but boy would I have liked to take the ferry!
GREAT STUFF, Many thanks
You should walk up to McCaigs folly in Oban. Great view.
Great video as always. we visited Kerrera a couple of weeks ago (the day the Queen died). Beautiful scenery. lunched at the Tea Room and saw the castle.
Nice! We missed a great wee tea room by the sound of things!
You picked a great day for that visit!👍 I have been to several of the Western islands, but not to that one and it's well worth a visit.
Good Video makes you want topack your case and head to Kerrera. Thank You.
Another great video, looks like a beautiful place, thanks Steve.
Thanks so much for coming along!
Great video. Loved it. Greetings from the U.S.
Thanks so much! All the best to you!
You should try the annual triathlon at Kerrera. You swim from the mainland, cycle round the island and finish with a trail run to the summit then the castle and back to the ferry.
For a wee island they pack in a lot of distance!
Sounds like a fantastic event! I'd have been all over it in my younger days!
Beautiful absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Good to see they are building a new road now.
Presently looking at Kerrera island stunning
Awesome Donna!!!! :)
Just down from Kerrera is the Isle of Seil, accessed by crossing the Bridge over the Atlantic ! At the bottom of the island is Easdale, once a thriving island producing slate, amazing place. Further south still is Luing island, takes about four minutes on the wee ferry ! and you can take your car and drive around. It's also great by motorcycle !
Cheers Richard! Desperate to go to Easdale and make a video! A unique wee place eh? Didn't know about the others you mention, so cheers for that!
Beautiful place! Thanks for sharing Steve! All the best to you and yours...
And to you too Bill! Thanks so much for coming along!
Fantastic place. Looking forward to seeing more great videos. Another enjoyable walking trek.
Cheers Iain! Can't wait for better weather to get out doing trips like this again :)
What a fabulous tour around an amazing small island on a beautiful day, it must be the only place on earth to find a honesty shop, I have seen honesty boxes and stalls! what a life the four legged resident’s have eating and sun bathing all day, weather permitting! the videoing of the views was remarkable, nice to see your pretty girlfriend in front of the camera! Your tour was exceptional as usual Steve and your commentary spot on as always, thank you both for a delightful meander around Kerrera 👌🤗
Aww thanks Bernice :) We were both exhausted afterwards - all that fresh air, sun and walking! But so worth it! Thanks for coming along on another wee adventure :)
I was just saying to my friend Galway Girl who also went along with you, it was so nice and relaxing within five minutes of the tour ending all that fresh air worked it’s magic, I was fast asleep 😴 plus you are both very laid back and it’s always a pleasure to go along with you, thank you once again until the next adventure, 🤗
I am there every Friday collecting the prawns
Superb Paul!
Hi Steve thanks am at kerrera ferry right now very busy lovely day in oban
Thanks for the video. Have been several times and covered the whole island wonderful for the memory of times past.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great shot of the town with the mighty Ben Cruachan (there's a power station inside it) behind. A wee quibble: the name is KE-rrera, accent on 1st syllable.
Great video - a place I have always wanted to visit while being in Oban.
It looks fab and great weather too. I last went near to Mull when it was about 29 and no midges :)
What a dream! :)
Beautiful video guys
Thanks so much Martyn!
Fab walk!! Miss the H&I. Looking forward to getting back home this Summer! Weather's stunning! Mystic Pizza! Great movie!
Haste ye back! Love the movie too (and the place)
Have seen Kerrera but not had chance to visit. It looks an amazing island. I thought you may had seen seals/otters. Enjoyed the greylag geese, and that shop looked very fine! Quite a unique ferry. BTW those views from Kerrera are spectacular. Thanks for taking us there. 🙂
Thanks so much Janet! I'm sure the seals saw us, but not the other way around :) We need to go back sometime and explore the coast more!
Visited in early 70's
Simply Magical- I really want to go to Kerrera. Thanks for this
Cheers Bill! It is a really special island for sure, especially on a sunny day.
I remember when the trip involved a wooden board to call a rowing boat. 😊
Scotland archipelago so beautiful country and rich resources and mineral and everything , hopefully I the future soon Scotland be come independent .