Customer update - Network and Services Update
Customer update - Network and Services Update
*Updated 22 March 2024
In our last update, below, we shared the new summer timetable details, following the news that MV Caledonian Isles, which normally serves on the Ardrossan - Brodick (Arran) route would remain in overhaul and not be available for approximately a further 16 weeks.
The update also shared we were investigating berthing trials to see if an alternative vessel with greater capacity could operate on the route, while MV Caledonian Isles was unavailable. These trials have now taken place and were unsuccessful. This means that, other than the period where MV Finlaggan enters overhaul, we anticipate no further changes to the summer timetable other than those already published to support Feis Ile on Islay.
As always, please check our Services Status and Information pages for the very latest details on our services.
Updated 12 March 2024
The revised summer timetable for the main service to Arran has now been agreed, following feedback from the community, via the Arran Ferry Committee. This is now available to view on our timetable pages.
Reason for revised timetables
We previously updated customers of the need to review timetables for the summer period (29 March - 20 October 2024), and to revisit deployment plans following news that MV Caledonian Isles would need to undertake significant repairs. This will have an unavoidable effect on services. (You can find full details and context on this in earlier updates, published below).
Customers planning to make a reservation for travel to Arran for 29 March onwards
Our booking system is currently being updated to reflect the revisions, and we are planning to re-open bookings on a phased approach with the focus being on having sailings for the Easter period open as soon as possible. We will keep customers informed about this via our Service Status and Information pages.
Customers who already have reservations from 29 March onwards
If you already have a reservation for this period, our team will be in contact with you to provide further details and information if your reservation is affected by the timetable revision.
Arrangements for Arran services for summer timetable
Our Arran service will be operated by MV Isle of Arran from Ardrossan. MV Alfred, which is on charter until 21 August, will provide services from Troon since the Irish Berth at Ardrossan is closed. Once our system is updated, services from Troon will be bookable online in a phased approach, with the focus being on the Easter period first.
MV Alfred does not offer retail facilities on board, so please factor this into your journey plans. Please read our FAQs when travelling to and from Troon.
Information for coach, caravan and motorhome customers
Once operational, services from Troon, operated by MV Alfred, will be able to carry all vehicles, except for coaches, caravans and motorhomes due to the vessel's ramp configurations. Vehicle customers driving coaches, motorhomes or travelling with a caravan will instead be able to sail from Ardrossan.
Additional sailings Lochranza-Claonaig
To help with capacity on the Arran service, additional sailings will be in operation between Lochranza and Claonaig. Please see our Service Status and Information pages for full details.
Potential for Troon-Brodick sailings via MV Alfred for winter timetable period 13 - 28 March 2024
During the period 13 to 28 March, the Ardrossan-Brodick service will operate with MV Isle of Arran as per the current winter period timetable - and additional sailings may be provided with MV Alfred, however, however, this will be dependent on us having staff available in this location before 29 March, when the revised summer timetable will commence. We will keep customers informed about this potential additional service via our Service Status and Information pages.
Berthing trials
In the context of MV Caledonian Isles being unavailable for service - our team's focus continues to be on protecting services and limiting the impact on customers with the vessels we have available to us. Berthing trials are being planned on another route to see if another vessel with a greater capacity could be released to operate on the route. We will keep customers informed once we know the outcome.
We are grateful to our customers and communities we serve for your patience and understanding while we manage the changes to our vessel deployment plans.
Updated 11 March 2024
*Following on from our update below, we expect amended summer timetables for our Arran service to be published on Tuesday 12 March, pending community feedback.
Update 05 March 2024
We recently updated customers (29 February) on our need to revisit and review our deployment plans and timetable for the summer period (29 March - 20 October 2024). This followed news that MV Caledonian Isles needs to undertake significant repairs - and being without one of the large vessels from the fleet we use would will have an unavoidable effect on services.
Deployment plan options
We've detailed below the deployment plan option we have settled on for summer 2024 - and how it will affect the routes listed. If you are travelling with us, our teams will contact you following confirmation of amended timetables, should there be any effect on your reservation.
The deployment plan option we're using gives the best service possible to the network as a whole. We have a limited number of options given the vessels that are available to us. In a longer than usual update, we've also shared information on a further option we are still testing - so you have visibility on our decision-making process and the steps we are taking to do our very best to support services and the communities we serve.
Revised vessel deployment plan for summer 2024, 29 March - 20 October 2024 (except during MV Finlaggan docking)
Route | How this route will be served during the summer timetable (29 March - 20 October) | What this means for customers |
|---|---|---|
Ardrossan-Brodick (Arran) | MV Isle of Arran MV Alfred (Troon-Brodick service) | A single vessel service will continue to operate between Ardrossan-Brodick. In addition, MV Alfred will also operate from Troon-Brodick on return from annual overhaul. Please read our FAQs when travelling to and from Troon. The plan should see sufficient capacity for the demand expected, albeit with constraints around peak times. |
Ardrossan - Campbeltown | No vessel available to operate this route. | Unfortunately, this service is cancelled for the summer timetable period due to vessel availability. |
Islay | MV Finlaggan MV Hebridean Isles | No change except for period of overhaul for MV Finlaggan which is expected to take place after the Easter holidays and return to service ahead of Islay's Feis Ile festival. We will provide confirmation on this soon. |
Oban - Craignure (Mull) | MV Loch Frisa MV Isle of Mull | No change |
Oban-Castlebay (Barra) | MV Isle of Lewis | No change |
Oban-Coll / Tiree / Colonsay | MV Clansman | No change |
Lochboisdale - Oban - Mallaig (South Uist) | MV Lord of the Isles | No change |
Uig - Tarbert - Lochmaddy (Little Minch) | MV Hebrides | No change |
Ullapool - Stornoway (Lewis & Harris) | MV Loch Seaforth | No change |
You can find the very latest information we have on services via our Service Status and information pages.
Amended summer timetables
Timetables for MV Isle of Arran and MV Alfred both operating on the Arran service for when MV Alfred re-enters service from annual overhaul are still being reviewed. An update will be provided on *Tuesday 12 March, pending community feedback.
As always, the very latest details on services will be available on our Service Status and information pages and via @CalMac_Updates on 'X', formerly Twitter.
If you have a booking with us that may be affected
Our team will be in contact with you to provide further information and support if your booking is likely to be affected. We'll begin this process after timetables have been confirmed, and in date order. Please be reassured that we'll be in contact with you as quickly as we can.
While we undertake updates to our timetables, some sailings on our booking system may be unavailable. We'll aim to keep this to a minimum.
Potential future deployment changes
We are exploring one final option which could allow for improved capacity on multiple routes. On completion of overhaul, we will carry out berthing trials with MV Isle of Lewis on the Uig-Tarbert/Lochmaddy (Little Minch) route. MV Isle of Lewis has previously been unable to operate a full service on this route, but we will carry out trials following recent upgrades to relevant ports on the route.
If the trials prove operationally feasible, we will update the summer timetable vessel deployment so that MV Hebrides and MV Alfred serve Arran, and MV Isle of Lewis serves Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy (Little Minch).
If the outcome of the trials is successful and MV Isle of Lewis and MV Hebrides are deployed as above, there will be a vessel cascade review and we will communicate any service changes.
We will share an update on the outcome of the trials as soon as we are able to, following the completion of trials and reports.
Details on our overhaul schedule
We've updated our overhaul schedule in line with the deployment plan and the details have been refreshed on our dedicated web page.
Thank you
Thank you for your patience while we've been working on the deployment plan. We understand these changes are challenging. Our team continues to ensure we do all we can, with the vessels available to us, to minimise the effect on customers at any time, and especially during the upcoming season. To reiterate, we will be in contact with you should you have a booking that is affected by timetable changes.
Thank you to the communities who consulted with us on the options available - we will continue to listen and respond wherever we can to challenges that evolve during the period.