New schedule for completion of west coast ferries to be drawn up in October
Derek Mackay has confirmed a new schedule for the completion of the Calmac ferries under construction at Ferguson’s shipyard will not be drawn up until October.
ferries
Weekend of ferry disruption expected from high winds
West coast ferry services face disruption this weekend due to severe gales.
Western Isles Council warns replacement of ageing ferries ‘must be addressed’
Western Isles Council has called for ageing ferries on its routes to be urgently replaced and “brought up to standard.”
Orkney leader calls for RET on isles routes
Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to provide funding that would allow cheaper fares on local inter-island ferry routes.
Owning Northern Isles ferries should save Government £5.5 million
The Scottish Government says it expects to save around £5.5 million this financial year as a result of its purchase of the Northern Isles ferries.
Exporting waste to England could affect island ferries, Tories warn
Island ferries could face a "real problem" as a result of sending rubbish to England to meet a Scottish ban on landfill.
Scottish Government considers nationalising Ferguson shipyard amid concern over two new island ferries
Finance Secretary Derek Mackay is considering nationalising the Ferguson shipyard, amid rising concern over the multi-million pound increase of two new west coast ferries.
Ferries filling up as folk flock to Hebridean Celtic Festival
Foot passenger bookings are required for this weekend on the Stornoway - Ullapool routes says Cal Mac.
Calls for urgent action on over-subscribed ferry routes
Transport bosses have been urged to take immediate action to protect businesses reliant on ferries.
Updated pay systems introduced for passengers booking on to CalMac ferry service
Ferry operator CalMac has introduced new measures to improve their online reservations system.
Lego fanatics go mad for CalMac merch
A new model of ferry operator CalMac’s MV Loch Seaforth is proving a hit with more than 400 sold in the 10 days since its launch.
CalMac’s customer payouts triple for faults
The cash paid out by CalMac to ferry passengers to compensate for technical faults has soared in the last year, according to official figures.
Wind and rain batter the north of Scotland as winter chill strikes
A leading ski centre has been forced to close and ferries cancelled today as wind and rain battered the north of Scotland.
Three bidders invited to apply for contract to run ferries for the northern isles
The invitation to tender for the next contract to run ferries to the Northern Isles has been issued to three bidders.
Shutdown for island ferries on the horizon as urgent repairs to two linkspans are needed
Urgent repairs are required at ferry linkspans at two Hebridean islands, requiring a shutdown for a series of days over the coming weeks.
Live Blog: Weather causing chaos as strong winds batter Scotland
Strong winds are causing chaos across the north and north-east of Scotland today with disruption to traffic and schools.
More public money than ever before to run CalMac
Taxpayers paid more than £8million more to run ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne last year, it has emerged.
Concern over Calmac’s repair bills as calls made for ‘urgent’ investment from Scottish Government
The Scottish Government is facing calls for “urgent” investment in Calmac ferries after new figures revealed that more than 120 repairs have been made to the fleet since 2016.
Concerned ferry groups to express opinions about island crossing to islands minister
Ferry campaigners have welcomed news that the islands minister has been invited to visit the Skye ferry to hear their opinions first hand.
Scottish Government will look at leasing ferries to help ease pressures caused by breakdowns
The Scottish Government is looking at leasing ferries to help cope with pressures caused by breakdowns around the network.
Islands minister Paul Wheelhouse stranded in the Hebrides after attending a summit about inadequate ferry service
The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands got stuck in the Hebrides last night after attending a ferry summit.
Delays over 2019 ferry bookings ‘unacceptable’
A North MSP called a delay over Northern Isles’ ferry bookings for 2019 “unacceptable”, after customers told him they could book to go to the island over the festive period but were unable to come home.
Western Isles Council looking at developing a fleet of ferries ‘more in keeping’ with the west coast
The Scottish Government is looking at developing a fleet of ferries that is “more in keeping” with the west coast, says a council after meeting ministers.
Vision mooted for inter-island road link through Western Isles
An ambitious scheme to construct a road across the sea to inter-connect all the islands in the Outer Hebrides has been mooted.
Calls for leased ferry to ease Western Isles ‘tourism crisis’
A north MSP has called for a ferry to be found on a short-term lease to ease the pressure on services in the Western Isles during one of the busiest tourist periods of the year.
Caledonian MacBrayne offering individuals a chance to learn the ropes
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is expanding its modern apprenticeship (MA) programme to include harbour operations.
Weather damaged ferry enroute to Tiree forced to return to Oban
A Cal Mac ferry is undergoing repairs after suffering damage in bad weather at the weekend.
‘Time for government to honour its commitment on fair funding for island ferry services’
Growing up in Sanday in the late 70s and 80s, I well remember the MV Orcadia steaming into Kettletoft on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Travel chaos, schools closed: Brace yourself, Storm Caroline has arrived
More than 50 schools have been closed and scores of ferries,trains and flights cancelled this morning as the region braces for Storm Caroline's arrival.
Storm Caroline: The ferry services cancelled or delayed so far
Ferry services have also been disrupted this morning.
Car hire firm scraps “ridiculous” ferry levy
A car hire company has agreed to abolish a “ridiculous” ferries levy for customers using their vehicles to visit rural parts of Scotland.
Future of ferries to Scottish islands at risk as costs swell
A powerful watchdog has warned that the future of lifeline ferry services to the islands could be in doubt due to soaring costs.