CalMac woes continue with reduced timetable

CALMAC’S repaired MV Clansman ferry should be back this week – but timetable disruption looks likely to continue until May 23, with hoteliers reporting many cancellations during this busy festival period.

Argyll and Bute councillors rounded on CalMac at a recent council meeting, with Islay member Robin Currie saying it took him 25 hours to get home.

Campbeltown’s summer service to Ardrossan is set to be delayed by a month, meaning visitors cannot use it to enjoy Kintyre’s biggest events, including the Kintyre Way Ultra. Councillor Donald Kelly told the meeting this was hitting the town’s tourist trade, with 16 cancellations at one hotel from guests due to stay a week.

CalMac managing director Robbie Drummond said this was ‘one of the most complex’ challenges it had ever faced, exacerbated by ‘unprecedented demand’.

CalMac is working to return to the full, normal service in time for the Islay Whisky Festival.

Mr Drummond said: ‘We have been in constant engagement to lease additional vessels for the fleet. This has proved unproductive because of the difficulties in finding vessels capable of operating our challenging West Coast routes. We will continue to scour the market, but finding vessels which meet strict legal, regulatory and our unique operating requirements is complex.’