CalMac’s Lochnevis is dwarfed by the cruise ship Carnival Pride at Greenock as she heads to Dales for overhaul on 3 September 2023 © John Newth/CRSC
The latest edition of Scottish Ferry News covers all known movements by members of the CalMac fleet in September and October 2023.
It is available here. Like previous editions, it is available only to paid-up CRSC members.
John Newth provides CRSC with regular Ferry News updates
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 with full benefits: £15), click here.
If you are a member and have not yet renewed your subscription for 2023-24, please do so now by clicking here.
Scottish Ferry News is an invaluable resource for enthusiasts and professionals who wish to track where vessels have been, what overhauls took place and which routes were affected by weather disruptions and vessel substitutions.
We are grateful to John Newth, compiler of Scottish Ferry News, for unravelling two months that found CalMac having to think quickly as it coped with unexpected fleet exigencies.
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The new edition of CRSC’s Scottish Ferry News covers the start of Isle of Cumbrae’s enforced hibernation at Sandbank in mid October, and the return to Gourock on 21 October of Coruisk for winter service on the Clyde, after her summer in the west highlands. It also documents the extensive west coast movements of the chartered catamaran ferry MV Alfred in September and October, including visits to Ayr, Troon, Port Askaig, Lochmaddy, Tarbert and Stornoway. Plus Hebridean Isles’ return from repairs in Aberdeen, followed by operational trials and the start of the twice-daily Stornoway-Ullapool freight service.
We record relief sailings by Loch Bhrusda at the Small Isles, Isle of Lewis on the Stornoway-Ullapool crossing, and Loch Fyne at Largs-Cumbrae Slip. Also noted are the annual overhauls of Ali Cat, Bute, Hallaig, Isle of Arran, Lochnevis, Loch Dunvegan, Loch Riddon and Loch Seaforth, and the start of the Lochmaddy-Ullapool service by Hebrides as a result of reconstruction work at Uig pier.
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Loch Fyne, seen on 15 October 2023 relieving on the Kyles of Bute crossing for the first time since 2016 © John Newth/CRSC
Otherwise, apart from weather-related and tidal disruptions, and some essential maintenance stoppages (such as those suffered by Lord of the Isles in early and late October), most of the heavily stretched CalMac fleet managed the transition from summer to winter timetables with remarkable dependability.
The above details are just a ‘taster’. There is a lot of fascinating information in Scottish Ferry News, clearly and precisely laid out — all of it awaiting your inspection and dissection.
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 £15 introductory membership offer here. If you are a member and are having problems with your password, email info@crsc.org.uk
Click here for CalMac service status and timetables (and keep re-checking!).
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Published on 18 November 2023