Ferries Lochboisdale: Due to MV Lord of the Isles annual overhaul, MV Isle of Mull operates the combined Castlebay and Lochboisdale service to/from Oban, not Mallaig. · Berneray: Due to planned vessel maintenance, there is no service operating on the following dates: Sunday 13 December. · Eriskay: Following a review of vessel deployment, MV Loch Riddon will now operate the Sound of Barra route during MV Loch Alainn’s annual overhaul.8° drizzle  wind W18mphSunrise 08:08Today on Uist →
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Fact · Berneray

The Berneray ferry may only sail if it can see the next two buoys

The Berneray ferry may only sail if it can see the next two buoys
Photo David Purchase, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh is so full of reefs and islands that the ferry, running since 1996, is only allowed to proceed if the crew can see the next two marker buoys ahead.

The Sound of Harris separates North Uist and Berneray from Harris, and it is one of the most awkward stretches of water on the west coast: dozens of islands and skerries, including Pabbay, Ensay and Killegray, and shallow tidal channels between them. A vehicle ferry has linked Berneray with Leverburgh since 1996. The marked route winds between the reefs, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency requires that the vessel only proceed if the next two marker buoys are visible.

Sources / notes: Wikipedia: Sound of Harris https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_of_Harris

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