CalMac Omdömen 

Yet again Im trying to book a ferry to Mull (where I live) several days in advance and there isn't a single vehicle space available on the day I need to travel, or indeed for the next 4 days after that. It's a disgustingly poor level of service for island residents, and it only ever seems to get worse year by year.

Due to inadequately designed steep landing ramp I damaged my trailer on 22th September 2025 in Oban. Damage vehicle case was open. Communication with the relevant department is awfully slow. On the ship the crew gives you the laminated card with tel. number that is no longer in use. Eventually got hold of a guy called Barry Bryceland who waited full 21 working days to complete ,,investigation,,. Compensation of £12.99 was granted. Then left for 10 days holiday giving me a email address of his colleague David Gill to speak with in his absence. Guess what? His colleague David never got back to me. It is 19th November 2025 when writing this review. Already opened investigation with an organization called RESOLVE UK and I am taking the case to Citizen Advice, or will even try Police if RESOLVE UK won`t help. Absolutely unbelievable what a travelers has to go through to receive compensation for a vehicle damage caused by the company. I urge any traveler who find themselves in same situation not to give up because it seems that CalMac probes how determined you are. Don`t give up.

The utter contempt with which this company’s staff treat paying customers is almost awe inspiring.

Following a cancellation of the beleaguered Brodick to Ardrossan route, I was informed that I had been booked on the next crossing three hours later. I rang the customer service line to see if I could cross on the earlier sailing, putting up with the full minute of robot script read out to you when you call. I was then lied to about the fullness of said ferry and the number of people in the standby queue (43, I was told, but it would be a struggle to fit 43 people in the four cars in front of us when we got there!). The only reason we made it onto the earlier ferry was ignoring the customer service rep and going to queue anyway. The staff member checking tickets at the car queue even managed some snarky remarks to rub salt into the wound. Almost comically poor service.

The broken ferries I get, stuff happens sometimes, and they hardly have the most modern fleet. I could even stomach the disaster around Ardrossan port with a little persuasion.

Their attitude to those of us who dare to want to use their services, however, is abysmal.

Will I use them again? Sure. What else am I going to do, swim?

Wednesday 3.15pm 22 October,Calmac waiting room at Wemyss Bay.40 minute wait for next ferry.Large TV for passengers on wall?? Not working?Asked politely if it could be switched on.Tried but to no avail.Calmac Manageress,very apologetic, came to explain that when working,will ONLY show adverts,nothing else, as Calmac make money for this.Calmac,are greatly subsidised by Scottish Taxpayers money yet cannot even bother to think about Customer Care.Reverse of ticket gives tel.no to contact.This number plays taped message redirecting you to another number or website.Other number gets call centre style operator who cannot help and tells you you must email any comments/complaints to them.They just do not want any direct contact from their customers.Their staff are generally excellent,their Board want changing.

The entrance to the ferry is dreadful. Almost everyone has a pull along bag and it is impossible to take up the gangplank. My bag was very heavy and because I couldn't pull it up I struggled and another passenger had to help me. Can't understand why on such a lovely ship with great food and helpful staff they would have done this. How am I going to manage this without help. Ridiculous!!!

Crossing from Largs to Cumbrae is excellent - staff are friendly from both ends and chat away to passengers as they collect tickets.
The ferry is clean and the app was easy to use and gave me accurate updates during cancellations with storm Amy.
Took the motorhome on and off Millport a few times - never any hassle ( same experiences going to Dunoon )

Changed the location and time of our booking with no consultation. The ferry had no refreshments just a vending machine. On the positive, the staff were efficient and friendly in what must be difficult circumstances.

I had a query relating to carrying camping gas canisters on my vehicle from Ullapool to Stornoway, followed by another 3 different crossings. The person that I spoke to double checked with Ullapool that she was giving me the correct information. All sorted in a matter of minutes, and much appreciated.

Brilliant service, will contact you if any crossings get cancelled, and if it has to divert or get cancelled on an island, they will give you a refund on your accommodation. Unlike some other ferry companies (cough cough p&o)

All the staff onboard are super friendly and most of the time let you on the bridge if you ask.

Food onboard is great and the newer boats are very nice, even the older ones have been refurbed and made a lot better.

The reason the average is so low is because of people just complaining about the tiniest things like there not being a first class section (posh spoiled brats) and there not being a fair loading system for the disabled even though there is and I know from experience. If your service is cancelled or delayed or made earlier they will contact you and give you a refund, accommodation, and incurred mileage, but if you can wait or make it earlier your booking will stay and your spot on the boat won't be compromised.

Amazing customer service from Jenny when I had to book a ferry suddenly to get me from arran to adrossan due to my mother taking seriously unwell - this meant an original booking two days later could be cancelled and I contacted calmac to advise , what a quick response I got as well as a full refund which I actually didn't expect - great customer service - thank you

Not quite sure what's going on with the website. I've attempted to book two ferries now and despite my partner and I checking the details prior to purchase, the ticket gives a different dates to what we intended to purchase. Not a friendly site for those suffering with Dyslexia. Thanks for nothing Calmac.

Not even 1 star. Distinct lack of information on website. Hard to find anything. Not helpful at all. Slightly better service by phone but takes ages and still not able to book ferrycrossing.

We didn't make our much anticipated trip to the outer Hebrides due to storm floris but CalMac fully refunded us. The operator we spoke to was so helpful and understanding. Thank you.

The online ticketing system is straightforward and the ability to amend tickets online is helpful. Text alerts advising changes are really useful (we’re travelling through Storm Floris). Customer services were great when we needed to make a change. The terminal and ferry staff were professional. The ferries were clean. The menu has been improved since our last trip and we enjoyed baked potatoes, curry, pancakes and salmon and egg bagels - not a chip in sight (at our table anyway!). Travelling with a small child, I appreciate the separate baby changing room so much - quiet, clean and uninterrupted, with a comfy sofa seat to feed / rest with your child. Of course not to mention taking us to our favourite islands. I love CalMac!
For those complaints about ferry changes and cancellations, remember they are operating in the seas off the west of Scotland - it’s not as straightforward as finding another bus or train, but they still consistently get satisfaction ratings >80%. Manage your expectations, give yourself a few days’ weather window, and you’ll have a great time.
Update: CalMac just got us back to Skye from the Outer Hebrides through Storm Floris on the morning of 04/08. Thanks and appreciate your service.

It’s really expensive and instead of going at 3:00 we had to go at 10:30 just for a small trip too.

I would like to give cal mac ferries 10/10 .. I was travelling from Arran to Troon .. I had two very big bags as I’d just left my job on Arran . I .. When I got onboard the Calmac a beautiful lady with blonde hair who had a white shirt with stripes helped me .she obviously worked for you ... she also helped me off the boat .. thank you so much .. I forgot to say this as I’ve been so busy .. thank you again and leaving arran was not so bad because of your kindness .. I’m not sure when I left it’s approx date

Well i went to Arran on the ferry Arther what a dump the ferry that is from Troon.No catering freezing cold I have been on a few ferries over the years this was the worst.Even on pleasure boat around Bridlington bay you can get tea and coffee.

Went for a day trip on the bicycle to the isle of Bute.
I was surprised that in 2025 and as choosing the environmentally friendly travel option we had to wait to get on the boat last(with no shelter or seating available) .
And then also got off last off the ferry from a car deck full of fumes.
Raising this with several employees I have been told several different stories.
From yes that's how we do it all the time to sometimes it's bikes first sometimes last.
It would encourage people to cycle more if they have a better experience.

And yes I think cyclist should have priority for environment and health reasons.

And I know Calmac probably won't even read this😂

Having booked February 2025 to sail from Mallaig, I was informed in May {couple of weeks pre holiday} I had to travel from Oban - 90 miles South, due to Freight and our motorcycle would not fit on !!
Then having packed up ready to go, I received a text message at 9pm the night prior to travel saying the sailing was cancelled with no alternative offer made. The whole thing was over before it started. Completely tarnished my feelings of considering booking again, having waited so long to have it gone in a text message and no help, only watch the service updates - poor gaming!!

In April I booked the ferry from Harris to Skye for 28 June. CalMac have cancelled it. I have now lost a day on Harris and have to book alternative accommodation at extra expense.
CalMac staff seem to treat this as business as usual and don't care