Professor John Robertson OBA, Honest Ferry Correspondent
From MSN today:
I’ve read that the number of visitors to the Isle of Wight staying in overnight accommodation during July, August and September last year fell by 14 per cent. Is that due to the poor weather last summer or other factors?
The cost of the ferries must be one of them. Having found a reasonably priced property to rent for all of us, we expected to pay around £150 to £180 per car, and we need three.
But we were shocked – it was going to cost a total of around £750. This was booking in December for a July holiday. Sadly this cost could not be justified when added to the price of the accommodation. So we’re off to the South Coast instead.
Crossings to the Isle of Wight range from 20 to 45 minutes to cover the 6 miles distance.
The comparable Oban to Craignure (Mull) return crossing by CalMac is a bit further at 11 miles but takes also about 45 minutes.
For one standard car with 2 adults and 2 children on 21 and 28 July 2025, cost per car – £63.40.
For 3 cars – £190.20. https://ticketing.calmac.co.uk/B2C-Calmac/#/desktop/step3
Just over a quarter of the cost of the Isle of Wight example above.
Why the difference?
Scottish Government subsidy for CalMac ferries. Shareholder dividends and executive bonuses for Isle of Wight ferry companies.
Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz' 
Worth emphasising this difference in price to all your friends and anyone who slags off Calmac…
Big Jon
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I guess this is what you class as misinformation. I’m an Isle of Wight resident. So it might be useful to explain that ferry prices are demand led. To pay the maximum price you would have to travel at peak time. So not any different to an airline. Off peak you can get a return today for £90 for a car and 4 passengers. Abit different to £180 or more. Wightlink is not subsidised by the tax payer either. Fixed costs are of course similar, ferries, port facilities etc.
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