Scottish Ferry News May-June 2026


Old and new Arran ferries seen together while providing relief cover for Mull and Barra, Isle of Arran and Glen Sannox at Oban on Saturday 9 May

The new edition of CRSC’s Scottish Ferry News documents movements of the CalMac fleet during May and June 2026.

During these two months the new Isle of Islay was initially partnered on the Islay service by Lord of the Isles while Finlaggan completed her refit at Greenock, and then by Isle of Arran which, in turn, had been relieved at Oban by Isle of Mull. She had returned to the Craignure service after Clansman had been relieved at Uig when Hebrides returned from her protracted refit and subsequent bow visor repairs. The extended employment of Isle of Mull on the Oban-based Colonsay and Inner Isles services also led to a very unusual movement early in May when Lochnevis was given the task of conveying a road tanker out to Tiree to replenish the island’s fuel supplies: this tanker could not have been accommodated on the ‘Mull’ due to her enclosed vehicle deck.

The eventual return of Isle of Lewis to the Barra service came at the start of June, delayed as she had suffered from technical issues that emerged after she left Aberdeen, and resulting in two unexpected weeks at Stornoway. During her absence Glen Sannox had kept Barra connected to Oban, before she made a brief return to the Clyde ahead of her new role as a ‘resilience vessel’ based at Stornoway.

This deployment saw a further extension to the three-year-long charter of Pentland Ferries’ catamaran Alfred, now expected to remain on the Troon-Brodick service for the rest of the summer timetable period.

Relief Islay ferry Lord of the Isles leaves West Loch Tarbert on the evening service from Kennacraig on Saturday 9 May

Lochinvar remained at Greenock undergoing overhaul and battery replacement, while other small vessels continued to require attention for a variety of repairs and other issues during the period under review, including visits to the Clyde by Loch Ranza and Loch Striven.

Glen Rosa in drydock at Dales’ Greenock yard, with Mull ferries Lochinvar and Isle of Mull both receiving attention at the end of June

With Loch Bhrusda needing to cover runs for Loch Portain, and then Loch Alainn, in the Western Isles for much of May, her scheduled runs out of Mallaig had to be taken by local vessels, which were chartered in as needed. Other vessels were also hired in occasionally to provide cover at Colonsay, Lismore and Portavadie.

Captured at Tobermory while on her way back to the Western Isles, Loch Portain takes a rest for the night

As usual, full details of these can all 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 May and June 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 15 August 2026