Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has deferred a decision on requests from individuals in Lewis, Harris and beyond, to begin seven-day sailings to and from Lewis.

The company has received numerous unsolicited requests for seven-day sailings, together with many demands for the maintenance of the status quo. These will be considered at a meeting of the CalMac Board to be held in Fort William on Wednesday, 28 November.

The Board of Directors will not be taking any decision on these requests at their meeting, pending clarification of the Scottish Government’s current RET pilot study.

CalMac Chairman Peter Timms said: “There are many complex issues involved, including costs, potential demand, capacity on and off the island, and working arrangements. The tender specification for the west coast lifeline services noted the sensitivities about Sunday sailings to and from certain communities, and we are mindful of these too. However, the current study being undertaken into the possibility of an RET pilot scheme for the Western Isles does not allow us to make a final decision before the study findings are published and the implications of the proposed pilot study have been considered. Until we understand what the impact of the study outcome will be, it would be unwise of us as a Board to take any decision, which might shortly after have to be changed. This is an operational matter for the company and the final decision will be made on a commercial basis as to whether we would be able to afford to improve services for our customers.”

CalMac will be making no further comments on seven-day sailings other than the contents of this news release and interviews around the Board meeting, until the outcome of the research into the possibility of an RET pilot scheme has been clarified. All individual correspondents who have made representations on the issue will receive this clarification of the company’s position.

Interested parties such as the Lord's Day Observance Society, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and business interests in favour of seven-day sailings have been informed of the company's decision.

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.

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

Issued: Tuesday, November 27, 2007: 1430