Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has confirmed that additional sailings are being provided on the Islay service over the winter to meet the demands of the burgeoning whisky industry.

Following an approach from the island’s distillers, who are experiencing unprecedented levels of demand and increasing production levels, CalMac agreed to investigate ways in which the pressures on current carrying capacity could be alleviated. This has now led to the confirmation of a series of additional sailings which will begin on October 21, 2007. CalMac has confirmed that from that date they will run a two vessel service to Islay to meet these traffic demands. The two-vessel service will operate until the end of the Winter timetable in March 2008, except for two key periods when a single vessel service will apply, due to CalMac’s vessel overhaul requirements: Saturday, November 10, 2007 – Saturday, November 24 inclusive and Saturday, January 26, 2008 – Wednesday, February 16, 2008 inclusive. (The additional sailings are highlighted in bold on the revised timetable.)

Fay Harris, CalMac’s Regional Manager Islay said: “Clearly, the whisky industry is having a very good spell with lots of extra traffic being generated. Whilst this is obviously very welcome, it creates an additional demand for space which we can only meet at this time by creating additional capacity on extra sailings. We have consulted with the distillers and local hauliers to address their specific concerns and the timetable we have devised should enable them to meet their production requirements. We have been able to dovetail our own vessel overhaul programme to coincide with the traffic pressure points. In addition to meeting the needs of the whisky industry we are of the view that the increased frequency of sailings and the additional capacity this provides, will benefit the whole island. I am sure this initiative will be welcomed by the islanders, other island businesses and visitors to the island.”

The distillers have welcomed the additional capacity being offered. Campbell Evans, Director of Government & Consumer Affairs, Scotch Whisky Association, said: “The industry has had helpful discussions with CalMac and the Scottish Government in recent months and the improvements to capacity serving Islay are a big step forward. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to ensure the service is able to support the growing international demand for Islay whiskies, which is so integral to the local economy."

Details of the additional sailings are being made available through CalMac’s website www.calmac.co.uk and will be made widely available through local media and leaflets, which are also available on ships and in terminals.

Meanwhile, CalMac confirmed that it expects to hear from asset-owning company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited soon about the ordering of the new vessel for the Islay service, which is due for delivery in 2011. A number of yards throughout Europe have tendered for the order, which is due to be confirmed shortly.

Last week, the Scottish Government confirmed that, following the recent tendering process, CalMac has been awarded the contract to operate the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services. As part of that contract Islay will be served by two vessels for the whole of the summer timetable for the duration of the six-year contract, starting from October 1, 2007.

A copy of the full timetable of additional and core timetable sailings is attached in pdf format.

Ends.

For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Communications Director, CalMac Ferries Ltd; Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

CalMac and Caledonian MacBrayne are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited.

Issued: Friday, September 28, 2007 : 1100