Calmac warns of ongoing disruption to ferry sailings

Ferry operator Calmac has warned passengers of potential ongoing disruption after being forced to make major changes to its west coast network because a key vessel is being repaired.

It has had to move ferries between several routes while the MV Clansman is off from the Oban-coll/tiree service.

Passengers have been affected on routes to Harris, North and South Uist, Colonsay and Islay, with some having their bookings changed several times over Easter.

Interim managing director Robbie Drummond said Calmac’s “ageing” fleet would be “stretched to its full capacity over the summer months”.

Half its 32 ferries are beyond their 25-year working life expectancy and “the risk of mechanical failures and breakdown is significant”.

The pressure has increased because the introduction of the first of two new ferries, the Glen Sannox, has been delayed until this winter.

Head of operations (north) Robert Morrison said: “We are having to balance the lifeline needs of all our communities.”