CalMac’s most popular routes
CalMac’s most popular ferry routes last year have been revealed, showing an increase in passengers on almost every crossing in Argyll and Lochaber, except those to Lochaline, Campbeltown, and Oban to Kennacraig and Castlebay.
Ardrossan to Brodick had the highest number of passengers with 844,198, followed by Largs to Millport (745,619), Wemyss Bay to Rothesay (713,906), Oban to Craignure (670,248) and Mallaig to Armadale (285,483).
Nearly every route rose in passenger numbers from 2016, except Fishnish to Lochaline, Ardrossan to Campbeltown, Oban to Coll/ Tiree/Castlebay, Kennacraig to Islay/Colonsay/Oban, and Colintraive to Rhubodach.
Kate Forbes, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who obtained the information, said she was surprised the Mallaig to Armadale crossing proved more popular than Ullapool to Stornoway (275,737). The statistics also showed the Skye to Mallaig route was the most popular crossing for coaches across Scotland.
Ms Forbes said: ‘RET is vitally important to the islands and has arguably done more than anything else to level the playing field for island communities who need to travel. Mallaig to Armadale figures were up by 10 per cent compared to the fateful summer of 2016. Importantly, that means visitors will be travelling through the Sleat peninsula, where communities have worked long and hard to build up a viable industry.
‘In the midst of the important debates about ferries, and not least the importance of the MV Coruisk to the Armadale-Mallaig crossing, it’s important to celebrate the huge contribution that RET has made to the island economies.’
For the full list of the most popular CalMac routes by passengers in 2017, visit www. theobantimes.co.uk