Ferry News January-April


On Thursday 1 April 2021 Coruisk headed south past Cloch Point to take over Rothesay sailings after Bute suffered from clutch problems and had to move to Gourock for repairs. Coruisk took up her summer Craignure-Oban service on 26 April

The latest edition of Scottish Ferry News is available here.  It covers all known movements by members of the CalMac fleet during the first four months of 2021.

John Newth

Meticulously compiled by John Newth, Scottish Ferry News is available now only to paid-up CRSC members. It adds up to an invaluable resource for enthusiasts wishing to track where vessels have been, what overhauls have taken place and which routes have been affected by weather disruptions and service alterations.

If you wish to read this authoritative update on Clyde and West Highland ferry movements, and have not yet joined CRSC (introductory membership for the first year: £10), click here.

The new update is dominated by the knock-on effects of Loch Seaforth’s machinery problems in the second half of April, prompting a series of roster changes involving mainly Hebridean Isles, Isle of Arran, Isle of Lewis and Lord of the Isles — four ferries, all built well over a quarter of a century ago, which proved their value as old troopers.

Scottish Ferry News also documents Isle of Mull’s unusual trip to Barra on 14 March, Hebrides’ and Finlaggan’s visits to Liverpool and Birkenhead for overhaul in mid March, Loch Fyne’s rare calls at Cumbrae Slip, Lochranza and Campbeltown in March and April, and Isle of Arran’s berthing trial at Gourock on 17 April and subsequent voyage to Ullapool to take up the Stornoway freight service.

Plus plenty more.

CRSC is proud of the role it plays for all ship enthusiasts, but its primary responsibility is to paid-up Club members. If you are not yet a member, please take advantage of our £10 introductory membership offer here.

Click here for CalMac service status and timetables.

After her withdrawal from the Stornoway service in mid April 2021, Loch Seaforth headed to Greenock where engine repairs would be carried out by Wärtsilä. She is seen here on her way upriver, her first visit to the Clyde since she was new

Freshly painted in CalMac livery, the chartered Kilcreggan ferry Chieftain lies amongst the yachts at Kip Marina on 31 March 2021 while finishing off her annual survey. The repaint had been done at Ardmaleish over the previous fortnight. She resumed service at Gourock on 1 April

On 9 March Loch Fyne made a rare visit to Cumbrae Slip

Stornoway became the focus for an unusual number of ferry movements: Loch Bhrusda, Isle of Arran and Isle of Lewis are pictured on 24 April

Join CRSC here and get all the benefits.

Published on 9 June 2021