Operational requirements have contrived to lead to the cancellation of the cruises planned this weekend as part of a series of events marking the departure from the fleet of Caledonian MacBrayne’s  MV Pioneer. The ship was due to set off on a sentimental homecoming voyage from Mallaig to the Clyde this weekend.

The journey was to be undertaken in two stages, on Saturday, August 16 from Mallaig to Oban via Tobermory and Staffa, then, on Sunday, (August 17) MV Pioneer was to depart Oban at 1030 heading for the Clyde via her “home” island of Islay and then on to Ardrossan.

However, operational requirements at Mallaig mean that MV Pioneer will be held there for a few days and will not now undertake the cruises south.  Hugh Dan MacLennan, CalMac’s Public Affairs Manager, said: “We would like to apologise to all the friends of the Pioneer who were to wish here fond farewell, but the needs of the service must take precedence. It is unfortunate that we have had to cancel at this late stage. Anyone who has booked tickets should contact the Tourshop at the Oban Terminal, or by telephone on 01631 562244, for the refund arrangements. The good news is, however, that the planned final sailing of MV Pioneer will go ahead on Sunday, August 31, and we will be issuing details of that early next week.”

When Pioneer reaches the Clyde on her release from Mallaig, she will be held in reserve until she begins a hectic final stage in her career by ferrying passengers between WemyssBay and Rothesay for the Highland Games on the weekend of August 23.  MV Pioneer’s final weekend in the CalMac fleet will be at the end of August when she will be on station between Gourock and Dunoon for the Cowal Highland Gathering and also undertaking two special charters. The first is a private commitment on the Sunday afternoon which will be followed by her final sailing at 1600, details of which will be announced later.