Calmac / Northlink Ferry discussion

[VioletEclipse]

Ferry nameplate makes final voyage home​

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly10201nn8ohttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly10201nn8o

The nameplate of one of Scotland's longest serving ferries has been returned to Selby, where it was built more than 40 years ago.
A special service was held at Selby Abbey to welcome home the small fragment of the former MV Hebridean Isles.
The ceremony was attended by some of those who helped build the vessel as well as workers from Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne, who delivered the nameplate.
Among the congregation was Phil Moat, who said: "It's been great to see everyone again - and to see shipbuilding getting some recognition in a beautiful place like this."
Built by Cochrane Shipbuilers, in Selby, at a cost of £5.5m the ship was launched sideways into the River Ouse in 1985

would maybe have been more useful if they still had the entire ferry (although I realise it was getting very expensive to maintain).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jul 2025 ==

Perhaps Calmac should take Waverley on extended hire…?

It would certainly be popular! although I wouldn't like to imagine to costs of running it as a ferry.

 

[Southsider]

Apparently not. The manufacturers of the propulsion system have proposed yet another repair of the existing system or a new one to the latest design, both are being pursued. Lack of dry dock space means she’ll have to sail to Leith.

She’s now off the mouth of the Tay, nearly there.

 

[185143]

MV Lochnevis is now sidelined until after her planned dry dock period due to propulsion issues.

The much smaller MV Loch Bhrusda has taken over on the Small Isles run, with day trips not being permitted.

 

[StarCrossing]

MV Lochnevis is now sidelined until after her planned dry dock period due to propulsion issues.

The much smaller MV Loch Bhrusda has taken over on the Small Isles run, with day trips not being permitted.

Oh dear. Loch Bhrusda is very basic. Has some seating in a corridor and some outdoor seating and that's about it!

 

[185143]

Oh dear. Loch Bhrusda is very basic. Has some seating in a corridor and some outdoor seating and that's about it!

Indeed. Travelled over to Cumbrae on it once, perfectly fine for that. I's far from ideal for one of the longer runs though.

 

[Grinner]

Looks like there is a passenger charter vessels operating in addition to Loch Bhrusda, which is the normal situation when Lochnevis is away for overhaul.

 

[Russel]

Anyone know what sort of Winter service is usually operated between Lochranza and Tarbert?

No winter timetables available yet and I'm struggling to find any historic timetables to get an idea of what to expect...

 

[StarCrossing]

Anyone know what sort of Winter service is usually operated between Lochranza and Tarbert?

No winter timetables available yet and I'm struggling to find any historic timetables to get an idea of what to expect...

I think it's one return journey per day. Maybe around lunchtime. They use the same vessel that does Tarbert to Portavadie the rest of the day.

 

[Russel]

I think it's one return journey per day. Maybe around lunchtime. They use the same vessel that does Tarbert to Portavadie the rest of the day.

Thanks.

Anyone know any more updates about the Caledonian Isles?

 

[StarCrossing]

I think it's one return journey per day. Maybe around lunchtime. They use the same vessel that does Tarbert to Portavadie the rest of the day.

This has now been confirmed.

Depart Tarbert 12:15
Arrive Lochranza 13:40
Depart Lochranza 13:45
Arrive Tarbert 15:10

Note that even foot passengers are required to book ahead on this service.

https://assets.calmac.co.uk/media/w2dls4pr/wtt-06-claonaig-lochranza.pdf

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Aug 2025 ==

Thanks.

Anyone know any more updates about the Caledonian Isles?

Caledonian Isles is out indefinitely, and does not feature in the winter timetable that runs until late March.

 

[Russel]

Caledonian Isles is out indefinitely, and does not feature in the winter timetable that runs until late March.

That's going to hurt over winter then, given refits for the rest of the fleet etc.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Anyone know any more updates about the Caledonian Isles?

They're keeping very quiet about her for obvious reasons, but CalMac said that they expect a return to service in either September if things go well, or in November if they don't go so well. But I think they're essentially planning to be without her until next summer, and if she does return, it's a bonus.

Note that even foot passengers are required to book ahead on this service.

This is because it's the lifeline service for carrying dangerous goods, so they generally want to discourage people from travelling to Arran this way.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

Just an idle thought, but is there any future for the MV Hamnavoe in the Calmac network?

It's a CMAL asset, so it could presumably be reallocated to Calmac if there were a need, or if it were replaced by Northlink. It's also in better condition than most CMAL large ships and is on a route with alternative services available, though it remains a lifeline service.

I assume the biggest issue is that it'll be too big for quite a few ports. But with Calmac in it's current tight spot, I do wonder if it could be useful? Though I imagine the people of Orkney would not be pleased!

Interestingly, the Hamnavoe was originally to have been built by Fergusons, and shares a lot of design characteristics with the Isle of Lewis.

 

[Transilien]

Campaigners call for direct award of ferry to Ferguson shipyard

Community leaders and politicians write to the first minister, urging him to ensure a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles is built in Scotland.

www.bbc.co.uk

It’s interesting that the SNP, Labour and the Conservatives all support this, considering the later’s constant criticism of the SNP for the ferries fiasco.

 

[Russel]

Campaigners call for direct award of ferry to Ferguson shipyard

Community leaders and politicians write to the first minister, urging him to ensure a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles is built in Scotland.

www.bbc.co.uk

It’s interesting that the SNP, Labour and the Conservatives all support this, considering the later’s constant criticism of the SNP for the ferries fiasco.

So it can be years late?

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

Campaigners call for direct award of ferry to Ferguson shipyard

Community leaders and politicians write to the first minister, urging him to ensure a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles is built in Scotland.

www.bbc.co.uk

It’s interesting that the SNP, Labour and the Conservatives all support this, considering the later’s constant criticism of the SNP for the ferries fiasco.

The narrative appears to be that Fergusons are now a shipyard capable of the job, and that it’d be wasteful to squander that potential. And, that the new boat would be simpler than the large and complex Arran ferries.

Whether that’s true is not for me to say.

 

[Russel]

The narrative appears to be that Fergusons are now a shipyard capable of the job, and that it’d be wasteful to squander that potential. And, that the new boat would be simpler than the large and complex Arran ferries.

Whether that’s true is not for me to say.

Maybe a Loch class replacement order would be better for Fergusons rather than a large vessel order, given what we've seen so far.

 

[Grinner]

Maybe a Loch class replacement order would be better for Fergusons rather than a large vessel order, given what we've seen so far.

Yes, the recent Small Vessel Replacement work (7 smaller ships to replace the Loch class) would have been a better option for a direct award, but that was awarded to Gdansk. Steady work for several years with the ability to streamline the process over time. The LotI replacement this proposal is talking about will be a once-off with some specific size constraints and much more scope for cost and timescale issues.

 

[Pegpilot]

And meanwhile the Arran service is in disarray. Newcomer Glen Sannox is now paired with chartered Alfred and both are running from Troon rather than Ardrossan because both are too big for the latter. And this weekend both were parked for linkspan work at Ardrossan and veteran Isle of Arran returned for a single-vessel service from Ardrossan to Brodick as a stopgap. You couldn't make it up, and if I lived on Arran I'd be pretty peeved - certainly the island lost a few hundred of my hard-earned last week as I chose the Outer Hebrides instead for my holiday, Arran just wasn't worth the risk.

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

And meanwhile the Arran service is in disarray. Newcomer Glen Sannox is now paired with chartered Alfred and both are running from Troon rather than Ardrossan because both are too big for the latter. And this weekend both were parked for linkspan work at Ardrossan and veteran Isle of Arran returned for a single-vessel service from Ardrossan to Brodick as a stopgap. You couldn't make it up, and if I lived on Arran I'd be pretty peeved - certainly the island lost a few hundred of my hard-earned last week as I chose the Outer Hebrides instead for my holiday, Arran just wasn't worth the risk.

It's ridiculous. A 1+ hour increase in the Glasgow to Brodick journey time and a longer crossing that essentially negates the benefit of a two-boat service.

What should be a journey within day trip distance of Glasgow is irritatingly risky and out of reach. For locals apparently it also means missed college classes, hospital appointments, and generally worsened connections with the outside world.

 

[Albaman]

Some years ago on a different website, an individual posted a list detailing all the CalMac large vessels ( broadly 400 passenger capacity or greater ) with a list of the ports each vessel could use. Much to my regret I didn't take a copy of the list and , subsequently, was unable to find it.

With regard to the posts on a replacement vessel for " Lord of the Isles " for the Mallaig /Lochboisdale route, I am curious what feature/features at Mallaig Harbour limit the vessels which can berth there.

 

[AlastairFraser]

It's ridiculous. A 1+ hour increase in the Glasgow to Brodick journey time and a longer crossing that essentially negates the benefit of a two-boat service.

What should be a journey within day trip distance of Glasgow is irritatingly risky and out of reach. For locals apparently it also means missed college classes, hospital appointments, and generally worsened connections with the outside world.

It is in the power of Peel Ports to change if they wanted to, the problem seems to be that they won't invest anything in Ardrossan.
Presumably they've been happy to collect all the fees that Calmac have paid over the years for the use of the port.

 

[Albaman]

And meanwhile the Arran service is in disarray. Newcomer Glen Sannox is now paired with chartered Alfred and both are running from Troon rather than Ardrossan because both are too big for the latter. And this weekend both were parked for linkspan work at Ardrossan and veteran Isle of Arran returned for a single-vessel service from Ardrossan to Brodick as a stopgap. You couldn't make it up, and if I lived on Arran I'd be pretty peeved - certainly the island lost a few hundred of my hard-earned last week as I chose the Outer Hebrides instead for my holiday, Arran just wasn't worth the risk.

I chose to have a day trip to Arran last Tuesday ( 9 September ) specifically because there was a service to Arran from Ardrossan that week which meant a short walk from Ardrossan Harbour station to the ferry , instead of the bus connection from Troon. I don't normally book in advance but due to the reduced passenger capacity , I already had my ticket when I arrived at the very well filled waiting room for the 0945 departure.

Once on board, the captain announced there would be a slight delay as refuelling was taking longer than expected. The weather last Tuesday wasn't really conducive to remaining outside for the crossing so the internal accommodation was very well filled.

Due to the earlier delay mentioned above and, probably, the large volume of traffic, the 1640 departure from Brodick was delayed by about 30 minutes. Again, internal accommodation was uncomfortably busy and the train connection from Ardrossan Harbour was long gone so a walk to South Beach was required.

I have always enjoyed sailing on " Isle of Arran " but less so on this day.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Some years ago on a different website, an individual posted a list detailing all the CalMac large vessels ( broadly 400 passenger capacity or greater ) with a list of the ports each vessel could use. Much to my regret I didn't take a copy of the list and , subsequently, was unable to find it.

With regard to the posts on a replacement vessel for " Lord of the Isles " for the Mallaig /Lochboisdale route, I am curious what feature/features at Mallaig Harbour limit the vessels which can berth there.

I believe it has a high tidal range which might be an issue.

 

[matchmaker]

On some Facebook groups there is a lot of frothing about Fergusons not being on the tender list for the two new freight vessels for the Aberdeen/Kirkwall/Lerwick service. The frothing has continued even after it has been explained that, at 140m length, the new ferries are too long to fit on Fergusons slipway!

 

[Cheshire Scot]

On some Facebook groups there is a lot of frothing about Fergusons not being on the tender list for the two new freight vessels for the Aberdeen/Kirkwall/Lerwick service. The frothing has continued even after it has been explained that, at 140m length, the new ferries are too long to fit on Fergusons slipway!

To say nothing of their recent delivery record!

 

[Cloud Strife]

And meanwhile the Arran service is in disarray. Newcomer Glen Sannox is now paired with chartered Alfred and both are running from Troon rather than Ardrossan because both are too big for the latter. And this weekend both were parked for linkspan work at Ardrossan and veteran Isle of Arran returned for a single-vessel service from Ardrossan to Brodick as a stopgap. You couldn't make it up, and if I lived on Arran I'd be pretty peeved - certainly the island lost a few hundred of my hard-earned last week as I chose the Outer Hebrides instead for my holiday, Arran just wasn't worth the risk.

It's not really CalMac or even CMAL to blame for Ardrossan, but Peel. They want the Scottish Government to essentially pay for the entire project while it remains in private ownership, and they also had the nerve to blame CalMac for the Irish Berth being condemned when Peel essentially let it fall into a state of disrepair even before Alfred started using it. The latest information is that something is finally moving, and I suspect the Scottish Government want to get a deal done before the next election. There are a lot of issues with the redevelopment of the harbour though, including that the latest plan is to rebuild the existing berth and to operate from a single berth only despite previous plans suggesting that both berths would be available. Brodick was rebuilt with two berths available, so it would seem rather stupid not to have two available in Ardrossan, even if it's just a ramp like in Brodick. There's a strong argument that traffic levels will continue to increase on the Arran route, and a dedicated freight vessel might well end up being needed.

But in related news, Caledonian Isles passed her initial sea trials after the recent repair work, and she's due to return next week sometime to Ardrossan. Glen Rosa is also due to enter service by next summer, although I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of Ferguson's regardless of who says it. Of course, there's also information that if the LOTI replacement isn't given to Ferguson's, then they might not be able to complete Glen Rosa.

It is in the power of Peel Ports to change if they wanted to, the problem seems to be that they won't invest anything in Ardrossan.

Peel essentially couldn't care less if the ferries use Ardrossan or not. They would be quite happy to simply build flats in the current harbour and transform it into a marina with expensive berths for yachts, with the ferries gone for good.

 

[Russel]

Peel essentially couldn't care less if the ferries use Ardrossan or not. They would be quite happy to simply build flats in the current harbour and transform it into a marina with expensive berths for yachts, with the ferries gone for good.

Which is annoying when you factor in how much longer it takes to get to Arran from Glasgow on public transport when you go via Troon.

 

[BayPaul]

It's not really CalMac or even CMAL to blame for Ardrossan, but Peel.

Peel are definitely the worst culprits, but they are well known for their extremely commercial attitude. CMAL were pretty stupid to build two new ships without a completed deal on where to run them. Before building the ships, CMAL would have had the upper hand negotiating with Peel on rebuilding the port. Now they are pretty desperate, Peel know this and can play hard ball!

Personally I think they should have built 3 somewhat smaller and much simpler ships (more like enlarged versions of Argyle and Bute). That would have allowed them to run an hourly timetable for much of the day, to to use the existing berths, to be much more useful relief vessels around the network, and to have far more resilience on this important route (as if one breaks down you only lose 33% capacity rather than 50%).
It would also have allowed for reinstating the Campbeltown link, and perhaps even a direct Brodick - Rothesay route a few times a week, which I think would be extremely useful.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Peel essentially couldn't care less if the ferries use Ardrossan or not. They would be quite happy to simply build flats in the current harbour and transform it into a marina with expensive berths for yachts, with the ferries gone for good.

Perhaps they don't, but I'm sure the Scottish Government could make life difficult for the rest of the Clydeport cluster, if they wanted to.