Bookings for CalMac’s winter season will open from Wednesday 11 September.
Timetables from October onwards can be viewed from today on the shipping company’s website.
The timetables, which have been developed in consultation with local communities and stakeholders, factor in the time each vessel must spend off service undergoing yearly maintenance.
This year, vessels will spend a total of 693 days in overhaul, up from 668 days the previous year.
Vessel deployment plans for the South Uist service and for the island of Mull beyond 5 January are still being reviewed, so bookings for these will be opened only from the beginning of the winter timetable until 4 January.
CalMac pledged to confirm the final arrangements by 4 October for the remainder of the winter timetable, with bookings opening shortly thereafter.
Pauline Blackshaw, director of strategy for CalMac, said: “Our winter timetables will come into effect on October 21, and we’re pleased to publish them in good time so that those who rely on our service during winter can plan their travel. As always, we’ve engaged with every community on the network and did our best to meet their needs.
“We have published timetables which do not include the two new vessels due to join the fleet in the coming months, MV Glen Sannox and MV Isle of Islay.
“However, we are confident both will be in service during the winter timetable period and will be developing timetables in good time for both. When they do arrive, they will not only benefit the routes they serve but have a positive ripple effect on the wider network.
“That being said, winter is the most challenging time of year for our frontline teams as they contend with harsher weather and sea conditions, and our entire fleet enters dry dock for essential annual maintenance.
“It will be a complex operation to integrate two new vessels during winter, but we’re well prepared to do so and this will allow us to enhance deployment plans as and when we can.”
CalMac reveals ferry winter timetables but bookings do not open for another three weeks
23 August 2024
