Accessible with some concerns
3
3
Date of visit: July 2026
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Average
We caught the ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway, but we were not able to stop in at the terminal, so I popped back the following day to take a look. The terminal is a little dated, but it remains reasonably accessible. However, the absence of a red emergency cord in the accessible toilet is a cause for concern. From Stornoway Ferry Terminal you can catch CalMac ferries to Ullapool on the mainland and Lochmaddy on North Uist.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
Outside, there are zebra crossings with tactile paving on either side. There are automatic doors at the entrance to the building, which is always good to see. In the foyer, you'll find a variety of seating options, from chairs to benches and even a few seats with round tables. There is a ticket office, which does not have a lowered counter, but signage overhead suggests there is support for visually impaired and hearing impaired passengers. I did not see a hearing loop, and later research appears to suggest one is not available. At the car hire desk, there is also no lowered counter and no signage to indicate a hearing loop. The service areas have black floor tiles, whilst the main foyer has white tiles, providing good visual contrast between the spaces. As far as I could see, there are no alternative formats in use.
Accessible facilities: Single-level venue, Step-free entrance, Seating at regular intervals
Parking & Transport
Good
I travelled to this place by personal vehicle
There are three accessible parking spaces with hatched markings on either side and to the rear of each bay, as well as plenty of standard parking spaces. At the entrance, you'll find a drop-off area and a taxi rank. There are no electric vehicle charging points at the terminal, but there are two EV charging bays in the nearby South Beach car park. If queuing to board in your car, there are 12 loading lanes. It is generally standard practice for vehicles displaying a Blue Badge to be boarded near the lifts if your ferry has one. Putting on your hazard lights will indicate that you require assistance.
Accessible facilities: Drop-off or pick up point, Dedicated on-site parking
Accessible Toilets
Poor
found the accessible toilet to the left of the foyer as I entered. The space is quite small, with just about enough room for a wheelchair or powerchair user to manoeuvre. The toilet pan is against the rear wall and has grab rails to the left (when seated). There is a soft backrest, but the toilet seat lid rests against it, making it pretty useless. Neither the toilet seat nor the grab rails contrast with their surroundings. There is no emergency red cord, which is a major concern. If a disabled person requires help in an emergency, there is no way to summon assistance. The sink has a small basin with a lever-style mixer tap, a mirror above and a single white grab rail to the right. There is no colostomy shelf. There is also a wall-mounted baby changing table.
Facilities: Accessible toilet
