Visiting the Beautiful Isle of Arran with Caledonian Macbrayne's MV Caledonian Isles

Hello everyone! I'm doing something a bit different this week with a video of my trip visiting the beautiful Isle of Arran with Caledonian Macbrayne's MV Caledonian Isles.
It's a bit of a departure from the norm for me but I do love boats and this was an amazing trip with stunning scenery and some fascinating changes in the weather. If you are able to watch it to the end, there's also some footage of a walk I did once I'd arrived - just a taster really if you (like me) just do it as a day trip but would really love to stay longer.
I do hope you enjoy this and if you do, I would really appreciate it if you could consider leaving me a like, comment or even a subscribe. I've got loads more content coming up in the next few weeks so, thanks for watching and cheers for now!
Mark
If you'd like to buy me a coffee I have a Ko-fi page and shop here: ko-fi.com/letsmakeatrip
I post regular photos of my trips on Instagram: / markswaintransport
I also comment post too much for my own good on Twitter: / lets_makeatrip
And here's my Facebook Page Link: / letsmakeatripwithms
#letsmakeatrip

[@lancslass8]

Thank you for the video. So informative. I'm booked to go at the end of May 2024. Really looking forward to it now since watching your video. 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thank you LL, I hope you enjoy it. Tbh, I wish I’d had more time on the Isle as it looked lovely and there’s some fantastic walks apparently. Have a great time 😊👍

[@jimcrawford5039]

Another great video! I used to sail all around there as a young fellow! I worked on the Ardrossan -Belfast summer runs in 1957. Cheers from Oz.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I never realised there was a ferry from Ardrossan to Belfast - seems quite logical really but it must’ve finished a while back now. Arran is lovely too - must go back sometime. 😊 Cheers Jim.

[@tennysonfirth7525]

I find it far more exciting when boarding a ferry via the car deck as the contrast between the car deck and passenger deck makes the boarding and alighting process much more adventurous, both in terms of what it looks and sounds like. Boarding via a gangway via a building is just like walking from one building to another without going outside so the feel of boarding via the car deck in my opinion matches up with what you mentioned as boarding an aircraft via the tarmac. Much more exciting and makes you feel like you're going on something more superior!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, agree with this. Somewhere like the Greek Islands too where the ferries race into port, lower the ramp, everyone and everything piles on via this and it’s off again as quick as can be!

[@witterquickly]

I think last year we still had snow on the hills of Arran up until early June! I'm lucky enough to be able to see Arran from our front window - it's a lovely place, just a shame you had bad weather when you visited. I would absolutely recomment a trip up Goatfell or a visit to Lochranza if you catch some better weather :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I know someone who went up Goatfell - looks a great walk that. I think I need more time on Arran tbh so next time I might make a weekend of it.

[@mytripUK]

Thanks for this video is fantastic you clear show all this ferry

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks for the comment Moje! Much appreciated and yes I really enjoyed the ferry. I would recommend it, tbh I would probably recommend most of the Calmac routes as they go to some beautiful places with fantastic scenery. Cheers.

[@richardnei]

Lovely video! I have a trip to Scotland planned for this August and will be getting to experience Cal Mac from the ferry from Oban. Some beautiful scenery in the Islands and Highlands! ✈️

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi AFUK, just out of interest, where are you heading too? I've only ever been from Oban once and that was out to the Small Isles: Canna, Eigg, Rum etc. That was a wonderful trip but I think there are loads of other ferry routes with Oban being pretty-much the main port for Calmac I would say? I'd love to get back to Oban actually - maybe in the Autumn if I can. There's also Hebridean Air Services from the nearby airport so you can combine the two - not bad price-wise either!

[@richardnei]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I’ve booked a short staycation road trip up to Oban, over to the Isle of Mull, then up to Fort William and finally 2 nights in Inverness before heading back home via Edinburgh to Cairnryan for the Ferry. Looking forward to it, but could easily spend longer exploring. If I wasn’t with my family i would definitely try the BN Islander operated services by Hebridean Air Services. They are very well priced from what I’ve seen. ✈️

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes those flights are well-priced, I might have to try them myself at some point. Sounds like a great trip though. I’ll look forward to the videos coming out! Enjoy👍. PS, I’m flying out of BHD this weekend for the first time ever so that’s going to be pretty special ✈️

[@richardturnbull6333]

That's on my bucket list on things to do.... Great video as always.... keep them coming budy 😀👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, another ferry video coming in three weeks time!

[@marklewarne239]

Hi Mark I would welcome you to Cornwall to try the scillonian ferry trip from Penzance to at isles of Scilly. Around a 2 hour crossing onboard a oldish style ferry. Would be great to have you down here.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Mark, yes it’s been on my radar this for a while now. Not sure when I’ll get down there but would love to try it. Cheers mate 😊👍

[@catb7059]

Beautiful video and interesting 👍

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks CB. Yes I'd never been to Arran before and tbh, I could have stayed a lot longer. Some amazing scenery and taking this crossing was, in my opinion, the best way to arrive because you can be off the ferry and 10 minutes later walking along some of the most beautiful beaches around. A great place!

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers 😊👍

[@davidbishop8228]

Great Video as always. Ill have to go on a Ferry Crossing it looks so good. I Look Forward to your next Adventure

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi David, thanks very much for your comment. Yes I’ve just booked another ferry crossing as part of my next trip actually (on Stena). It’s a new route for me so really looking forward to it. I post-up most of my plans on Twitter, don’t know if you follow me on there but you can normally keep in touch that way too. All the best, Mark

[@lewygooeychevere5138]

great vlog tour on board.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey thanks LewyGooey! I’m planning on doing a few more Calmac trips so I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent video 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Derisley. This was one of my favourite trips of the year - really enjoyed it and will do some more Calmac stuff next year 👍

[@debravwilson8050]

I really enjoyed watching this. I have done the crossing from Wales to Dublin. It is not bad. This trip was really quick. And only £4.10 each way is a great price. When I watch your videos I get ideas for excursions. So looking forward to your next trip.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Debra thanks for these kind words, I really enjoy reading comments like this because it’s precisely why I do it! I’ve been inspired by others on youtube to do stuff so it’s good that others get ideas too. Incidentally, there’s a temporary route from Holyhead to Belfast with Stena starting up on 25 June (I think) and they’ve never sailed from there to Northern Ireland before so I might give it a go. Got loads coming up though and it’s getting difficult fitting it all in! Happy travelling, Mark 😊

[@MattsPlanet]

Good video. Quite relaxing actually - good choice of music too.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Matt and thanks. That's good old KZbin Creator audio library doing its thing! I probably spend too much time fussing over the music tbh but it's a part of creating these videos that I really enjoy - it was a quite relaxing crossing though a bit cold towards the end! Hope you're getting out and about yourself and I look forward to seeing more of your stuff soon. All the best, Mark

[@MattsPlanet]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Have a few trips planned but the still keep getting cancelled - another one disappeared yesterday... Grrrrrrrrrr.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@MattsPlanet yep, very familiar feeling that. Thankfully somebody invented spreadsheets (and I never thought I’d ever say that)!

[@wizbot]

brillint video very informtive thanks im going there nxt june your vido was useful to show the wife

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers wizbot! I really enjoyed this trip. Tell you what, I wouldn’t mind living there, given half a chance I’d be off. Fantastic place 👍

[@Timstravels01]

Great video. Looks like there is much more open on board the Calmac ferries compared to when I did my Stornoway crossing in November 2020.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hey Tim, thanks! Yes, lots of black and yellow tape still but yes, at least everything’s open. I’ve never done the Stornaway crossing. Is that the one from Ullapool?

[@Timstravels01]

@@LetsMakeaTrip it is indeed. Well worth trying out.

[@nx181cc2]

You were down my part of world there I only live 10 minutes away in Stevenson

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I loved it down here CC, some great scenery and the coast of course!

[@bigshoe9130]

If it's been raining then yeah snow usually appears on the peaks for a wee while

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Big Shoe. Looked absolutely fantastic from the boat. I’d love to spend some proper time on Arran tbh and have a proper look around. I’m thinking of heading up to Oban next though and getting the ferry from there so if you know any good islands I can get to, please let me know 👍

[@elainemcadam2553]

I live ther

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I’m very jealous! Maybe one day I’ll make it for longer 😊

[@anianoenrique2115]

I'm not sure it's all that safe to close the bough AFTER leaving the quayside. That's how the Herald Of Free Enterprise disaster happened.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Aniano! Cheers for the comment. I’m old enough to remember that disaster. Hopefully though safety has improved a lot since then. Maybe somebody on here with the technical knowledge can give us some insight?

[@jimmcintosh9045]

The bow is closed before she leaves the harbour entrance.