Check the latest ferry status for this route View service status

Route information

Key information

Mallaig / Oban - Lochboisdale

Winter timetable 21 October 2024 - 27 March 2025

Timetable: The timetable(s) for this route are available below - View or download to plan your journey.

Service status: Always check our service status pages for the latest information on this route.

Tickets: Book your ticket online, in advance of travel, even if you’re a foot passenger. All vehicles and passengers must have a valid ticket prior to travel.

Check-in: 45 minutes prior to departure for vehicles and 30 minutes for foot passengers. Late check-in may result in your space being reallocated or vehicles being refused carriage.

February – May 2025: Due to delays to annual overhaul and vessel availability we have had to make several deployment changes across our network, including changes to vessels and services on this route. Please read our customer update to find out the latest information.

Oban - Lochboisdale up to May 2025:  MV Isle of Mull will operate between Oban-Lochboisdale from Sunday 23 March to Tuesday 8 April and Wednesday 23 April to Tuesday 13 May. *Due to the reduction in capacity of MV Isle of Mull during this period, we encourage you to pre-book your journey, including foot passengers. * 

Mallaig - Lochboisdale: MV Lord of the Isles will operate between Mallaig-Lochboisdale from Wednesday 9 April to Tuesday 22 April and from Wednesday 14 May.

2 February - 22 March: A combined service will operate via Castlebay. View timetable.

23 March - 8 April An amended timetable will operate between Oban and Lochboisdale. Please see here

Summer timetable 28 March 2025 – 19 October 2025: The summer timetable for this route covering the period; 28 March 2025 to 19 October 2025 is now available to view and book. Read our customer update for full details on changes to bookings as a result of annual overhaul delays and vessel availability.

Please note that bookings for Monday 14 July between Lochboisdale and Oban are currently unavailable. A further update will be provided as soon as possible.

Tidal timetables: We will be operating amended timetables between Mallaig - Lochboisdale due to low tides and on some occasions daylight hours on certain dates throughout summer 2025. View tidal timetable

Read our passenger travel checklist to prepare for your journey.

Planning ahead:  Book your ticket online in advance of travel - even if you're a foot passenger. eTickets can be scanned from your device.  

Alternative routes to South Uist: you can also travel to South Uist by travelling via Oban - Castlebay then Ardmhor (Barra) to Eriskay or travel from Uig (Skye) to Lochmaddy (North Uist). Find out more in our Island Hopping Guide. 

Concessions: Blue badge concession is available online and can be applied to your ticket. Please carry your concession card with you.

Group passengers: for tickets purchased online for any number of travelling companions the full party must travel on the same sailing. This applies to all legs of the journey. If you are unsure whether all group members will travel together, please make separate bookings.

Campervans/Motorhomes/Caravans: Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) request that visitors in caravans, motorhomes and campervans stay in official campsites or designated overnight spots. Plan your trip carefully and stay only in these designated areas. Please follow the P.L.A.C.E visitor code to help to keep the Outer Hebrides special.

Before you travel, read about the motorhomes, campervans and caravans standby process.

Guidance

Available timetables

Port and vessel facilities