Scottish Ferry News March-April 2026


Glen Sannox leaves Isle of Islay in the Great Harbour at Greenock on Sunday 8 March, while sister Glen Rosa continues fitting out further upriver at Fergusons

The new edition of CRSC’s Scottish Ferry News documents movements of the CalMac fleet during March and April 2026, including the introduction into service of the new Isle of Islay.

Having arrived at Greenock at the end of February, Isle of Islay was prepared her new role in the CalMac fleet, including a quick visit to drydock to allow her final certification to be issued. Her planned schedule of berthing trials was interrupted by bad luck affecting some other members of the fleet. The return of Glen Sannox from Birkenhead and her resumption of service is also covered, as is that of Alfred, her Troon consort.

During her berthing trials around the network Isle of Islay spent the night of Monday 20 April at Tarbert, Harris

Misfortunes within the major fleet continued: at one point Clansman was having to cover for many of the other ships by operating an unusual roster and sailing from Uig to Tarbert, Lochmaddy and Castlebay, as Hebrides and Isle of Lewis were still undergoing their annual overhauls, Isle of Mull was covering the Coll, Tiree and Colonsay services, and both Lord of the Isles and Isle of Arran were off service with technical issues.

Problems with Loch Seaforth led to Glen Sannox being sent to provide additional sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool, while Isle of Islay, after just a couple of days serving on the route between Kennacraig and Port Askaig, was redeployed to the Barra run from Oban.

After a week based at Castlebay she was relieved by Glen Sannox and returned to her ‘home’ route.

Three very different visitors to Dales yard at Greenock on Thursday 19 March: Waverley awaiting drydocking and her new masts, Loch Portain undergoing re-engining, and the Shetland ferry Daggri, which usually goes to Aberdeen

Two members of the small vessel fleet — Loch Portain and Lochinvar — continued their overhauls at Greenock, while others saw service as and where required. Several of them did, however, require visits to repair yards for attention during the period under review.

Coruisk enjoying a day off at Craignure on Saturday 25 April as Lord of the Isles makes a phased return to service following engine problems

With the fleet continuing to be stretched to capacity, Coruisk filled in at Oban on the Craignure run, partly on her own while Loch Frisa was overhauled, and Loch Bhrusda covered on the Sound of Harris: she also had problems that required relief vessels to stand in for a few days.

After the summer timetable started at the end of March, CalMac had no vessels available to maintain the route between Mallaig and Armadale, nor the additional sailing to Muck and Eigg on Saturdays, and so a variety of small craft were once again chartered in from local operators to provide cover.

Full details of these can be found in the latest edition of Scottish Ferry News, which is compiled especially for Club members.

Scottish Ferry News covers all known movements by members of the CalMac fleet in March and April 2026 and, like previous editions, is available only to paid-up CRSC members.

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), then please click here.

Published on 30 May 2026