Islanders face travel uncertainty as CalMac ferries cannot be booked beyond the next six weeks.
Intending travellers are due to get a peek at the delayed winter timetables this week, but will not be allowed to book trips for another two or three weeks.
Routes will be held back for ticket sales in four stages from the end of this month into October.
Winter timetables will run from 23 October to 28 March.
Staggering the opening of bookings is down to a number of factors.
The shipping company needs to manage the extended absence of MV Hebridean Isles while juggling arrangements for the fleet’s annual overhaul.
Seeking to reduce its historic over-
Pushing back the delivery date for the hugely-
CalMac also has to contend with issues over covering the Skye triangle closure during pier construction works which will see the Harris link cancelled for at least six weeks and the North Uist service diverted to Ullapool.
A potential extension to MV Alfred’s charter beyond January was also being considered to assist with the current vessel shortage issues. Plans were mooted to deploy the Alfred at some point to release existing vessels to test out docking different harbours such as MV Caledonian Isles at Islay.
Complexities of the closure of the Port Ellen ferry port in Islay also has to be dealt with.
CalMac’s winter maintenance programme continues until the spring with ships being rotated around in the network to cover services.
MV Loch Seaforth is due to depart to dock when the summer timetable ends in late October.
MV Isle of Lewis will shift from Barra to Stornoway to cover the passenger service. MV Arrow will be hired for two weeks for the freight run.
MV Isle of Mull is the selected vessel for Barra and South Uist again this winter.
Under provisional plans, when MV Lord of the Isles departs for drydock in November, the Mull is due to relocate to Lochboisdale.
MV Lord of the Isles is expected to be deployed for a short period in the Inner Hebrides as a relief vessel before the end of winter.
MV Isle of Lewis is scheduled to undergo her refit early next year.
Details of any gaps in service or a shared vessel timetable are to be advised.
During relief periods, South Uist links are expected to operate to and from Oban.
Islay will be reduced to a single vessel service, delivered by MV Finlaggan, from 25 September when MV Isle of Arran departs for overhaul.
The Colonsay service faces cancellations due to the lack of vessels on some dates into October.
CalMac said: “The timetables for all routes will be available for viewing on our website prior to being open to the public for booking.
“We will open routes for booking as soon as all work on them is complete and in four phases between late September and early October.
“All information about the winter timetable period will be contained within the documents published (this week) and will be available for viewing on our website.
“We would encourage all customers to book online wherever possible.”
CalMac’s delayed winter timetable finalised for preview but ferry tickets not for sale
11 September 2023
