Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that the company experienced a highly successful summer commercially.  Addressing an invited audience of guests after the meeting of the Caledonian MacBrayne Board in Portree last night (Wednesday), Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said he was delighted to report another increase in the number of passengers and cars carried for the second successive year.

Mr Sinclair said: “Overall, on all our Western Isles routes the number of passengers increased by 2.7% between the same period of 2001 to 2002. The increases on  the four Skye routes were: Mallaig/Armadale – 8.9%; Raasay/Sconser – 4.7%; Uig/Lochmaddy – 5.6%; Uig /Tarbert – 12.6%. Similarly, our car traffic increased by 6.4%.  The individual increases were: Mallaig/Armadale – 8.3%; Raasay/Sconser – 8.4%; Uig/Lochmaddy – 9.8%; Uig/Tarbert – 15.9%.”

The overnight freight priority sailing between Ullapool and Stornoway has proved highly successful in diverting commercial vehicles and freight away from the day sailings, Mr Sinclair said, and this was confirmed by a continuing increase in passengers, cars and coaches.  “MV Isle of Arran’s summer deployment in the network was successful in relieving some of the pressure on the Islay service and gaps in the timetable on the Oban/Craignure route. She also provided additional sailings to Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist.”

Mr Sinclair also confirmed that the two new vessels being built for the Mallaig to Armadale and Sound of Harris services would be called MV Coruisk and MV Loch Portain respectively.  They are expected to be in service in April and May of next year.  “The Sheltered Water Vessel will be named “Coruisk”, and this will be the third vessel to be so named.  The first two “Coruisks” served between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin, with the second moving to the Clyde where she was converted to bow-loading to give the first vehicle service between Largs and Cumbrae, ending her days on the Colintraive/Rhubodach route.  The Sound of Harris Vessel will be named “Loch Portain” after the loch in North Uist and she will be the first vessel to be so called.”