Caledonian MacBrayne

Ferry operator in Scotland

CalMac Ferries Ltd

Trade name

| Caledonian MacBrayne,
CalMac
Company type| Government-owned service
Industry| Transport
Founded| 1973
Headquarters| Gourock, Scotland[1]

Number of locations

| 50 ports and harbours across Scotland

Area served

| Firth of Clyde,
Outer Hebrides,
Inner Hebrides

Key people

| Duncan Mackison (CEO) (ad interim)[2]
Services| Ferry operations between mainland Scotland and islands
Revenue| £227 million[3]

Operating income

| £28 million[4]

Net income

| -£3.7 million[4]
Owner| Scottish Government

Number of employees

| 1,700 (about 1,000 sea going)[5]
Parent| David MacBrayne
Divisions| Argyll Ferries (2011 to 2019)
Subsidiaries| Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Ltd
(employer of sea going staff)
Website| www.calmac.co.uk
The funnel of MV Juno

Caledonian MacBrayne (Scottish Gaelic: Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn), in short form CalMac, is the trade name of CalMac Ferries Ltd, the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries to the west coast of Scotland, serving ports on the mainland and 22 of the major islands. It is a subsidiary of holding company David MacBrayne, which is owned by the Scottish Government.[6]

Its predecessor, the government owned Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd, was formed in 1973 as a ferry owner and operator. In 2006 these functions were separated to meet EU requirements for competitive tendering. The company, renamed Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), continued to own the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet and assets. The contract for operating Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services using these vessels was put out to open competitive tender. and CalMac Ferries Ltd was created in October 2006 as a separate company to bid for the work.[6] CalMac was awarded the contract, as well as a later competitive procurement process, and since 1 October 2007 has operated the services.[7]

CalMac operates 35 ferries,[8] with one, MV Glen Sannox, currently undergoing crew familiarisation and harbour berthing trials ahead of being introduced into service.[9] A further 5 vessels are currently under construction for the fleet. The company serves over 50 ports and harbours on the west coast of Scotland, with CMAL owning 16 of these ports and harbours. Caledonian MacBrayne operate on average over 162,700 sailings annually. 2018 was the company's busiest in terms of passenger numbers, carrying an estimated 5,309,771 passengers.[5][10]

## History

[edit]

Previous logo The Caledonian MacBrayne headquarters building at Gourock pierhead and a visit from MV Caledonian Isles and MV Isle of Mull

### David MacBrayne

[edit]

Main article: David MacBrayne

MacBrayne's, initially known as David Hutcheson & Co., began in 1851 as a private steamship operator when G. and J. Burns, operators of the largest of the Clyde fleets, decided to concentrate on coastal and transatlantic services and handed control of their river and Highland steamers to a new company in which Hutcheson, their manager of these services, became senior partner. One of the other partners was David MacBrayne (1817–1907), nephew of Messrs. Burns. In 1878, the company passed to David MacBrayne.[11]

Their main route went from Glasgow down the Firth of Clyde through the Crinan Canal to Oban and Fort William, and on through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness. Services were later added to Islay and the Outer Hebrides. In 1928, the company ran into financial difficulties, and the business was acquired by Coast Lines and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS Railway).[6] In 1948, the shares in the company owned by the LMS Railway passed to the British Transport Commission, thus partially nationalising it. In July 1969, Coast Lines' 50% shareholding passed into state ownership, so that the company became wholly nationalised, and all the shares were transferred to the state-owned Scottish Transport Group.

### Caledonian Steam Packet Company

[edit]

Main article: Caledonian Steam Packet Company

The Caledonian Railway at first used the services of various early private operators of Clyde steamers, then began operating steamers on its own account on 1 January 1889 to compete better with the North British Railway and the Glasgow and South Western Railway. It extended its line to bypass the G&SW's Prince's Pier at Greenock and continue on to the fishing village of Gourock, where they had purchased the harbour.

After years of fierce competition between all the fleets, the Caledonian and G&SW were merged in 1923 into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and their fleets were amalgamated into the Caledonian Steam Packet Company. Their funnels were painted yellow with a black top. At the same time, the North British Railway fleet became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (which built the PS Waverley in 1947). With nationalisation in 1948, the LMS and LNER fleets were amalgamated under British Railways with the name Clyde Shipping Services. In 1957, a reorganisation restored the CSP name, and in 1965 a red lion was added to each side of the black-topped yellow funnels. The headquarters remained at Gourock pierhead.

At the end of December 1968, management of the CSP passed to the Scottish Transport Group, which gained control of MacBrayne's the following June. The MacBrayne service from Gourock to Ardrishaig ended on 30 September 1969, leaving the Clyde entirely to the CSP.

### Caledonian MacBrayne

[edit]

MV Jupiter leaving Dunoon MV Caledonian Isles at Gourock

On 1 January 1973, the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. acquired most of the ships and routes of MacBrayne's and commenced joint Clyde and West Highland operations under the new name of Caledonian MacBrayne, with a combined headquarters at Gourock. Funnels were now painted red with a black top, and a yellow circle at the side of the funnel featuring the red Caledonian lion. In 1974, a new car ferry service from Gourock to Dunoon was introduced with the ferries MV Jupiter and MV Juno.

In 1990, the ferry business was spun off as a separate company, keeping the Caledonian MacBrayne brand, and shares were issued in the company. All shares were owned by the state, first in the person of the Secretary of State for Scotland, and (after devolution) by the Scottish Government.

In 1996, CalMac opened its first route outside Scotland, winning a ten-year contract to provide a lifeline service to Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. This service continued until 2008, when CalMac lost the tender.[12]

A joint venture between Caledonian MacBrayne and the Royal Bank of Scotland named NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries won the tender for the subsidised Northern Isles services, previously run by P&O Scottish Ferries, commencing in 2002. The ambitious programme ran into financial difficulties, and the service was again put out to tender. Caledonian MacBrayne won this tender, and formed a separate company called NorthLink Ferries Limited which began operating the Northern Isles ferry service on 6 July 2006.[13]

### Restructuring – Caledonian Maritime Assets and CalMac Ferries Ltd

[edit]

Several groups have proposed privatising the service, and there has been a long commercial and political struggle with a privately owned company, Western Ferries, which has run a rival unsubsidised service from Gourock to Hunters Quay (near Dunoon) since 1973. To meet EU requirements for competitive tendering, the Scottish Executive put the collective Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services routes out to competitive tender in 2005. As part of this process the Dunoon route was put out as a separate tender.[14] Some island and union groups opposed the tendering process, fearing it would lead to cuts in services and could be a prelude to full privatisation.

To enable competitive bidding on an equal basis, Caledonian MacBrayne was split into two separate companies on 1 October 2006. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) retained ownership of CalMac vessels and infrastructure, including harbours, while CalMac Ferries Ltd submitted tenders to be the ferry operator. The company of David MacBrayne Ltd, which had been legally dormant for many years, was re-activated as a company wholly-owned by the Scottish Government on 4 July 2006. During September 2006, David MacBrayne Group Ltd acquired the entire share capital of CalMac Ferries Ltd. Thus, from leaving the hands of David MacBrayne 78 years earlier in 1928, the west coast ferry service returned to the fold in 2006, vastly enlarged. The David MacBrayne Group Ltd also cquired the full share capital of NorthLink Ferries, and took over operations of the NorthLink routes on 6 July 2006. A further subsidary company - Rathlin Ferries Ltd - was established by David MacBrayne Group Ltd to operate the Rathlin to Ballycastle service in Northern Ireland.

Three operators submitted bids for the main block of routes,[15] but CalMac retained all its existing routes. On 1 October 2007 CalMac Ferries Ltd began operating these services on a six-year contract. The Gourock to Dunoon service was the subject of a separate tender, but no formal bids were made. In an interim arrangement, CalMac Ferries Ltd continued to provide a subsidised service on this route,[13][16] using the name Cowal Ferries. The Scottish Government subsequently decided not to subsidise a vehicle service on the Gourock–Dunoon route due to the existence of the rival Western Ferries vehicle service, and the route was put out to tender again, this time with subsidy available only for a passenger services to maintain a direct link between Gourock railway station and Dunoon town centre. In May 2011, Argyll Ferries Ltd, a newly formed subsidiary of David MacBrayne, was named as the preferred bidder for a passenger-only Dunoon-Gourock service. The timetable was extended into the early hours at weekends, with additional sailings integrated with rail services. Two passenger-only ferries, MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer (formerly MV Banrion Chonomara), were arranged for the run.[17] When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer was incomplete, and as an interim measure the cruise boat MV Clyde Clipper was leased from Clyde Cruises.[18] Argyll Ferries was incorporated into Caledonian MacBrayne on 21 January 2019.[19]

On 14 July 2009, it was announced that CalMac would begin Sunday sailings to Stornoway on Lewis from Sunday 19 July. These had historically faced strong opposition from Sabbatarian elements in the Lewis community, particularly the Lord's Day Observance Society and the Free Church of Scotland. However, CalMac stated that EU equality legislation made it unlawful to refuse a service to the whole community because of the religious beliefs of a part of it.[20]

NorthLink Ferries lost the contract for provision of the Northern Isles ferry services to Serco on 29 May 2012.[21]

### COVID-19: Emergency lifeline timetable

[edit]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, CalMac operated a much reduced timetable. From 22 March 2020, they provided a turn up and go service to ensure essential goods and services were delivered to the islands. There were no reservations and no onboard retail facilities. Timetables were modified to meet local needs, with occasional additional crossings and extended layovers.[22]

The Portavadie, Campbeltown and Armadale services were cancelled. Crossing frequencies were reduced on other routes, with single vessels at Rothesay, Largs and Kennacraig.[23] On the smaller vessels, vehicle occupants were required to remain in their vehicle.[24]

Until Hebrides returned from dry dock in Liverpool, Clansman remained on the Uig triangle, with Lord of the Isles and Isle of Arran providing services to Lochboisdale, Coll/Tiree and Colonsay from Oban. Hebridean Isles operated to Arran (22 April – 2 May) and Islay (27 May – 2 June) while Caledonian Isles and Finlaggan were out of service.[25]

Unused vessels were laid up: Hebridean Isles in Campbeltown; Coruisk at Craignure; Loch Riddon, Loch Linnhe and Loch Fyne at Sandbank; Loch Bhrusda in Mallaig (covered Sound of Barra service while Loch Alainn in Troon); Argyle and Isle of Cumbrae in Rothesay and Isle of Arran in Troon.[25]

### Post COVID

[edit]

In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, the company began to struggle to maintain services due to an increasingly ageing fleet.[26] The situation was exacerbated by long delays to the delivery of two new ferries for the Arran service (MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa), a situation dubbed by critics as the “ferry fiasco”. Glen Sannox was handed over in November 2024, and is expected to enter service on 13 January 2025.[9] Glen Rosa is expected to be delivered in September 2025,[27] and a further four new ferries are expected to be delivered during the course of 2025.[28]

In May 2024 Transport Scotland granted a contract extension to CalMac to continue to operate the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services until 30 September 2025.[29]

## Service

[edit]

Map of ferry services in Scotland, CalMac services shown in red Loch Shira departing Largs MV Hebridean Isles at Scrabster MV Isle of Mull leaving Oban harbour with Kerrera in the background Loch Seaforth departing Stornoway

The company enjoys a de facto monopoly on the shipment of freight and vehicles to the islands, and competes for passenger traffic with a number of aircraft services of varying quality and reliability. Nonetheless, few if any of the routes currently operated by CalMac are profitable, and the company receives significant government subsidies due to its vital role in supplying the islands: these routes are classified as "lifeline" services.

Various versions of a local poem (based loosely on Psalm 24) refer to MacBrayne's long dominance of Hebridean sailings:

> The Earth belongs unto the Lord
>  And all that it contains
>  Except the Kyles and the Western Isles
>  And they are all MacBrayne's

### Routes

[edit]

Mainland or inner port  | Island or outer port  | Crossing  | Voyage time  | Regular vessel(s)

|
|
|
|

Portavadie, Cowal | Tarbert, Kintyre Peninsula | Loch Fyne | 25 minutes | MV Isle of Cumbrae (summer)
MV Catriona (winter)
Gourock, Inverclyde | Dunoon, Cowal | Firth of Clyde | 25 minutes | MV Argyll Flyer
MV Ali Cat
Gourock, Inverclyde | Kilcreggan | Firth of Clyde | 13 minutes | MV Chieftain
Wemyss Bay, Inverclyde | Rothesay, Bute | Firth of Clyde | 35 minutes | MV Argyle
MV Bute
Colintraive, Cowal | Rhubodach, Bute | Kyles of Bute | 5 minutes | MV Loch Dunvegan
Largs, North Ayrshire | Cumbrae Slip, Cumbrae | Firth of Clyde | 10 minutes | MV Loch Shira
MV Loch Riddon (summer)
Troon, North Ayrshire | Brodick, Arran | Firth of Clyde | 1 hour 15 - 20 minutes | MV Alfred [30]
MV Glen Sannox
Ardrossan, North Ayrshire | Brodick, Arran | Firth of Clyde | 55 minutes | MV Isle of Arran
Claonaig, Eastern Kintyre
(summer only service) | Lochranza, Arran | Kilbrannan Sound | 30 minutes | MV Catriona
Tarbert,  Kintyre Peninsula
(winter only service) | Lochranza, Arran | Loch Fyne / Kilbrannan Sound | 1 hour 25 minutes
Tayinloan, Western Kintyre | Ardminish, Gigha | Sound of Gigha | 20 minutes | MV Loch Ranza
Kennacraig, Western Kintyre | Port Ellen, Islay | via West Loch Tarbert, Argyll | 2 hours 10 min  | MV Finlaggan
Kennacraig | Port Askaig, Islay | Sound of Islay | 1 hour 55 min
Port Askaig | Scalasaig, Colonsay |  | 1 hour
Oban | Scalasaig, Colonsay |  | 2 hours 15 min – 2 hours 40 min | MV Clansman
MV Isle of Mull (winter only)
Oban | Craignure, Mull | Firth of Lorne | 50 minutes - 1 hour | MV Isle of Mull
MV Loch Frisa
Oban | Achnacroish, Lismore | Lynn of Lorn | 55 minutes | MV Loch Striven
Oban | Arinagour, Coll | Firth of Lorne / Sound of Mull | 2 hours 40 minutes  | MV Clansman
Arinagour, Coll | Scarinish, Tiree | Little Minch | 55 minutes
Oban | Scarinish, Tiree | Sound of Mull / Little Minch | 3 hours 20 minutes
Scarinish, Tiree
(summer only service)  | Castlebay, Barra | Gunna Sound / Little Minch | 2 hours 45 minutes
Oban | Castlebay, Barra | Sound of Mull / Little Minch | 4 hours 45 minutes | MV Isle of Lewis
Oban
(winter only service)  | Lochboisdale, South Uist | Little Minch / Sound of Mull | 5 hours 30 minutes | MV Lord of the Isles
Gallanach (near Oban) | Balliemore, Kerrera | Sound of Kerrera | 5 minutes | MV Carvoria
Lochaline, Morvern Peninsula | Fishnish, Mull | Sound of Mull | 18 minutes | MV Lochinvar
Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan Peninsula | Tobermory, Mull | Sound of Mull | 35 minutes | MV Loch Tarbert
Fionnphort, Ross of Mull | Iona | Sound of Iona | 10 minutes | MV Loch Buie
Mallaig | Armadale, Sleat Peninsula, Skye | Sound of Sleat | 30–45 minutes
Varies depending on vessel | MV Coruisk (summer)
MV Loch Fyne (summer)
MV Lochnevis (winter)
Mallaig | Small Isles (Eigg, Muck, Rùm & Canna) | Small Isles | Varies | MV Lochnevis
Mallaig | Lochboisdale, South Uist | Little Minch | 3 hours 30 minutes | MV Lord of the Isles
Sconser, Skye | Raasay | Narrows of Raasay | 25 minutes | MV Hallaig
Ardmhor (Barra) | Eriskay
(connected to South Uist by causeway) | Sound of Barra | 40 minutes | MV Loch Alainn
Uig, Skye | Lochmaddy, North Uist | Little Minch | 1 hour 45 minutes  | MV Hebrides
Uig, Skye | Tarbert, Harris | Little Minch | 1 hour 40 minutes direct
4 hours via Lochmaddy
Leverburgh, Harris | Berneray
(connected to North Uist by causeway) | Sound of Harris | 1 hour | MV Loch Portain
Ullapool, Wester Ross | Stornoway, Lewis | The Minch | 2 hours 40 minutes | MV Loch Seaforth

### Passenger numbers

[edit]

Passenger numbers 2022-23[31] Route Name | Passengers | Cars | Coaches | Commercial Vehicles

|
|
|
|

2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023
Ardmhor (Barra) - Eriskay | 64,761 | 61,469 | 26,944 | 24,507 | 108 | 127 | 1,074 | 905
Ardrossan - Brodick | 724,706 | 692,518 | 183,597 | 183,092 | 427 | 448 | 8,608 | 8,711
Ardrossan - Campbeltown[a] | 0 | 8,869 | 0 | 2,691 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14
Berneray - Leverburgh | 62,852 | 63,974 | 27,408 | 28,257 | 188 | 204 | 1,312 | 1,432
Claonaig - Lochranza[b] | 79,182 | 76,351 | 31,032 | 29,225 | 132 | 159 | 949 | 857
Colintraive - Rhubodach | 168,264 | 175,772 | 76,712 | 80,557 | 441 | 365 | 6,479 | 7,162
Fionnphort - Iona | 206,038 | 204,623 | 8,021 | 8,471 | 10 | 2 | 531 | 601
Fishnish - Lochaline | 113,541 | 125,759 | 53,864 | 56,544 | 352 | 445 | 2,829 | 3,107
Gallanach - Kerrera | 67,290 | 64,009 | 2,592 | 2,230 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11
Gourock - Dunoon[c] | 203,270 | 196,086 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Gourock - Kilcreggan[c] | 48,609 | 47,659 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Kennacraig - Islay | 208,556 | 202,290 | 75,000 | 75,476 | 357 | 355 | 13,741 | 13,930
Kennacraig - Islay/C'say/Oban | 17,125 | 18,216 | 6,176 | 6,659 | 10 | 20 | 693 | 694
Largs - Cumbrae Slip | 721,798 | 690,152 | 199,180 | 185,052 | 938 | 948 | 4,118 | 3,639
Mallaig - Armadale | 237,815 | 212,847 | 62,650 | 57,679 | 1,766 | 1,390 | 57 | 45
Mallaig - Eigg/Muck/Rum/Canna | 23,496 | 22,376 | 3,038 | 3,223 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 173
Mallaig - Lochboisdale | 26,527 | 31,247 | 10,824 | 12,668 | 29 | 35 | 282 | 260
Oban - Castlebay/Lochboisdale | 50,258 | 46,261 | 20,116 | 18,433 | 27 | 19 | 1,350 | 1,099
Oban - Coll/Tiree | 60,711 | 55,783 | 21,590 | 20,094 | 6 | 6 | 1,958 | 1,813
Oban - Coll/Tiree/Castlebay[d] | 0 | 5,072 | 0 | 2,017 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 229
Oban - Colonsay | 12,888 | 12,664 | 5,218 | 5,422 | 2 | 2 | 288 | 341
Oban - Craignure | 553,928 | 550,517 | 150,929 | 156,353 | 1,565 | 1,427 | 5,926 | 6,299
Oban - Lismore | 24,721 | 24,807 | 8,688 | 8,245 | 19 | 40 | 375 | 236
Sconser - Raasay | 87,748 | 83,730 | 32,804 | 30,990 | 32 | 29 | 676 | 503
Tarbert - Lochranza[e] | 1,095 | 0 | 575 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 0
Tarbert - Portavadie | 78,259 | 86,372 | 26,975 | 29,902 | 40 | 15 | 145 | 217
Tayinloan - Gigha | 69,709 | 70,511 | 23,281 | 23,754 | 23 | 22 | 1,116 | 1,149
Tobermory - Kilchoan | 45,437 | 44,361 | 11,494 | 11,360 | 15 | 11 | 9 | 22
Uig - Tarbert/Lochmaddy | 163,244 | 155,440 | 66,471 | 65,369 | 355 | 338 | 5,129 | 5,239
Ullapool - Stornoway | 300,525 | 285,384 | 111,542 | 104,449 | 536 | 540 | 13,615 | 13,314
Wemyss Bay - Rothesay | 657,123 | 613,117 | 203,872 | 190,541 | 365 | 416 | 7,458 | 8,332

## Fleet

[edit]

Main article: Caledonian MacBrayne fleet

32 of the vessels operated by CalMac are owned by the asset holding company CMAL. Two ferries, MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer, are directly owned by CalMac, and a further two, MV Alfred and MV Chieftain, are on charter from other owners.

Ten of the vessels can be categorised as "major units" – ships of 80 m (262 ft) or more in length. The largest is MV Loch Seaforth at 116 m (381 ft) in length. MV Finlaggan is almost 90 m (295 ft) long and able to carry 550 passengers with 88 cars.[32] She was built in Poland at a cost of £24.5 million and operates the Islay service.[33] The others are MV Isle of Lewis, MV Clansman, MV Hebrides, MV Caledonian Isles,[f] MV Isle of Mull, MV Isle of Arran and MV Lord of the Isles.[32] The tenth "major unit", MV Glen Sannox, which is due to enter service on the Troon - Brodick route on 13 January 2025, was handed over to CalMac on 21 November 2024, and is now undergoing crew familiarisation and harbour berthing trials.[9]

There are 13 "Loch Class" vessels in different shapes and sizes. These double-ended ferries are mostly symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern (although in official documents the designation of such is given). They generally serve shorter, more sheltered routes, although MV Loch Portain is able to handle Force 7 gales and carry 36 cars and 149 passengers, with a crew of five.[citation needed] MV Loch Shira, sometimes referred to as a "super loch", entered service in 2007 on the Largs–Cumbrae route. MV Loch Bhrusda & MV Loch Linnhe are spare and relief vessels and are not assigned to any specific route.

Similar in outward appearance to the Loch Class vessels are the three diesel-electric ferries built by Ferguson Marine Engineering: MV Hallaig (2013; for Raasay), MV Lochinvar (2013; for Tarbert) and MV Catriona (2015; for Lochranza).[35]

A number of vessels have specific features and are designed for specific crossings. MV Lochnevis (2000) was designed for the Small Isles service, being fitted with a large stern vehicle ramp that allows her to berth a considerable distance from a slipway, protecting her exposed Azimuth thrusters in shallow waters.[36] MV Bute (2005) and MV Argyle (2007), both built in Gdańsk, work solely on the busy Wemyss Bay–Rothesay route. In 2022, a Norwegian ferry was purchased for the Mull service; after modification it entered service as MV Loch Frisa. MV Alfred is a catamaran ferry owned by Pentland Ferries, currently on charter to CalMac for the Arran service.[37][38] The smallest vessel in the fleet is MV Carvoria, built in Shetland for the Kerrera route.[39]

There are three passenger-only vessels in the fleet: MV Ali Cat, MV Argyll Flyer and MV Chieftain. All operate on the Clyde. MV Chieftain is leased from Clyde Marine Services for the Gourock to Kilcreggan service,[40] whilst MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer operate the Gourock-Dunoon service.

### Future fleet

[edit]

The first of two dual fuel ferries under construction by Ferguson Marine Engineering, Glen Sannox (for the Arran service)[41] was launched on 21 November 2017,[42] handed over in November 2024, and expected to enter service in early 2025.[9] Repeated delays saw the delivery date of the second, MV Glen Rosa (the second Arran ferry)[43] slip to September 2025.[27]

A £91 million contract to build two ferries for the Islay service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in Turkey in March 2022.[44][45] The first steel for two ferries was cut at a ceremony in Turkey in October 2022,[46] with the second vessel's being done in January 2023, in the same week as the first vessel's keel was laid. In May 2023, the same week as the second vessel's keel was laid, it was announced that these ferries would be named MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal.[47][48] Isle of Islay is expected to be delivered by the first quarter of 2025, with the second vessel following in the second quarter of 2025.[28] In October 2022 it was announced that two further vessels would be built to a very similar specification as the ferries under construction for Islay. CMAL signed a contract in January 2023 for Cemre Shipyard to also build the two ferries, which would allow a dedicated, peak season services to Tarbert and Lochmaddy from Uig and provide additional resilience in the fleet.[49] [50] The two vessels, MV Claymore and MV Lochmor are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025.[28]

## See also

[edit]

* Scottish islands portal

* Transport Scotland
* Caledonian Maritime Assets
* David MacBrayne
* Argyll Ferries

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ Service was suspended for 2023
2. ^ For 2022 this figure also includes crossings on the winter-only Tarbert - Lochranza service
3. ^ a b Passenger-only service
4. ^ Due to the introduction of a new booking system, figures for this service are included with Oban - Coll/Tiree for 2023
5. ^ Winter-only service. For 2022 the figures for this service were included as part of the Claonaig - Lochranza service
6. ^ Currently under repair until further notice[34]

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ "CalMac Ferries Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
2. ^ "Board of Directors". CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
3. ^ "CalMac Ferries: Socio-Economic Impact Report".
4. ^ a b "CalMac's achievements outlined in latest annual report".
5. ^ a b "About Us". CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
6. ^ a b c "Company History". CalMac Ferries. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
7. ^ "About Us". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
8. ^ "The Fleet". CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 2 December 2024.
9. ^ a b c d Calum Watson (21 November 2024). "Ferries saga ship Glen Sannox finally delivered". BBC News. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
10. ^ "Locations". CMAL Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
11. ^ "History". David MacBrayne. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
12. ^ "Probe into tendering contract of ferry run". News Letter. 17 June 2008.
13. ^ a b Alan Rehfisch (2007). "Ferry Services in Scotland" (PDF). SPICe Briefing. Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
14. ^ "Proposals for Gourock-Dunoon ferry route". Scottish Executive. 21 September 2005. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
15. ^ "UK | Scotland | Contest narrows for CalMac routes". BBC News. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
16. ^ "UK | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | CalMac ferry contract confirmed". BBC News. 20 September 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
17. ^ "Argyll News: Argyll Ferries Wins Dunoon-Gourock Ferry Tender". For Argyll. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
18. ^ Goodwin, David (1 July 2011). "Ferry Launch is hit by first-day breakdown". Greenock Telegraph. pp. 1–2.1-2&rft.date=2011-07-01&rft.aulast=Goodwin&rft.aufirst=David&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Caledonian+MacBrayne" class="Z3988">
19. ^ "CalMac takes over the tiller at Argyll Ferries". Argyll Ferries. 21 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
20. ^ "UK | Scotland | Highlands and Islands | Green light for Sunday sailings". BBC News. 14 July 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
21. ^ "Serco confirmed as Northern Isles ferry operator". BBC News. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
22. ^ "Statement from Transport Scotland on restrictions on non-essential ferry travel". CalMac. 24 March 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
23. ^ "CalMac introduces Essential Lifeline Timetable in light of Covid-19 outbreak". CalMac. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
24. ^ "Travel Advice" (PDF). CalMac. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
25. ^ a b "Live Map". Marine Traffic.
26. ^ "The problem with CalMac's ageing ferries". BBC News. 13 May 2022.
27. ^ a b "Update on Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa" (PDF). Ferguson Marine Engineering. 19 April 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
28. ^ a b c Kevin Hobbs (CMAL) (30 September 2024). "Update on New Vessels for Islay & Little Minch" (PDF). Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
29. ^ "CalMac contract for west coast ferries extended by a year". BBC News. 30 May 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
30. ^ "Repairs put Arran ferry out of action until June". BBC News. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
31. ^ "Annual Carryings 2023" (PDF). CalMac Ferries. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
32. ^ a b "Ships of the Fleet". Ships of CalMac. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
33. ^ "Remontowa wins newbuilding order for another ferry to be operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd". Remontowa.net. 2 November 2007. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
34. ^ https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/24702665.fresh-problems-sideline-mv-caledonian-isles-till-march/
35. ^ "'Hybrid' CalMac ferry launched from Port Glasgow". BBC News. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
36. ^ "Lochnevis". Ships of Calmac. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
37. ^ "Chartered CalMac catamaran to begin sea trials". BBC News. 27 April 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
38. ^ "85m ROPAX FERRY". Strategic Marine. Retrieved 11 May 2023.
39. ^ "New Kerrera Ferry Launches in Lerwick". CMAL. 15 August 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
40. ^ Craig Borland (8 May 2020). "CalMac to take over Gourock-Kilcreggan ferry next month". Helensburgh Advertiser. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
41. ^ "CMAL Shares Project Update on Dual Fuel Ferries". CMAL. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
42. ^ "First Minister Launches UK's First LNG Ferry". CMAL. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
43. ^ "Dual Fuel Presentation". CMAL. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
44. ^ "First Major Build Milestone for Islay Ferries". CMAL. 4 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
45. ^ "TBN NB1093". Cemre Shipyard. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
46. ^ Alex Smith (7 October 2022). "Steel cut at Cemre Marin Endustri shipyard for new Islay ferries". Cruise and Ferry Review. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
47. ^ "Names announced for new Islay and Jura ferries". BBC News. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
48. ^ "Key Construction Milestones met for MV Loch Indaal and the First of Two Little Minch Ferries". CMAL. 25 May 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
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50. ^ "Two New Vessels for the Little Minch". CMAL. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.

### Bibliography

[edit]

* Clark, Andrew (2022). The making of MacBrayne: a Scottish transport monopoly spanning three centuries. Catrine, Ayrshire: Stenlake Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-8403-3897-3.
* McCrorie, Ian (1987). Clyde Pleasure Steamers: an illustrated history. Greenock: Orr, Pollock & Co. ISBN 978-1-869850-00-5.
* McCrorie, Ian (1987). Steamers of the Highlands and Islands: an illustrated history. Greenock: Orr, Pollock & Co. ISBN 978-1-869850-01-2.
* McCrorie, Ian (1989). To the Coast: one hundred years of the Caledonian Steam Packet Company. Fairlie: Fairlie Press. ISBN 978-1-871209-01-3.
* Meek, Donald E.; Peter, Bruce (2011). From Comet to Cal Mac: Two Centuries of Hebridean and Clyde Shipping. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781906608361.
* Preston, Robert (1994). Days at the Coast. Ochiltree: Stenlake Publishing. ISBN 978-1-872074-42-9.
* Robins, Nick S.; Meek, Donald E. (2006). The Kingdom of MacBrayne: from steamships to car-ferries in the West Highlands and Hebrides, 1820-2005. Edinburgh: Birlinn. ISBN 978-1-84158-500-0.
* Smith, Colin; Cowsill, Miles (2016). Caledonian MacBrayne Hebridean and Clyde Ferries: the fleet. Ramsey, Isle of Man: Ferry Publications. ISBN 9781911268055.

## External links

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