Caledonian MacBrayne is advising passengers travelling to this year’s Bute Jazz Festival to consider using the Colintraive-Rhubodach service as an alternative route to and from the island this weekend (Friday 29 April - Monday 2 May). The ferry company is anticipating possible capacity issues at peak times over the weekend on its Wemyss Bay-Rothesay service.

Two vessels will operate a regular service on the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route, with additional sailings on Friday 29 April, Saturday 30 April and Monday 2 May if required, and subject to weather conditions.

On the Saturday night, the last departure from Rothesay will be 1945 and 2040 from Wemyss bay, as per the normal timetable.

On Sunday evening, the last scheduled sailing ex Rothesay will be as timetabled at 1900 and the last scheduled sailing ex sailing ex Rothesay will be 1945.

The Colintraive timetable will be as normal throughout, offering a frequent service until 2055 from Colintraive and 2100 from Rhubodach.

Passengers can check the status of services by calling The Wemyss Bay or Rothesay offices; or by accessing the CalMac website: www.calmac.co.uk

Ends

 For further details on the content of this news release, contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne on 01475 650371/0776 435 4021, or at hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk

 Issued: Wednesday, 27 April, 2005: 1715