Ferry changes confirmed skye triangle shutdown

Ferry services face upheaval between January and February to accommodate the closure of Uig harbour and the suspension of the Skye triangle timetable.

Works during the first closure between 16th January and 13th March include dredging the existing berth, installing new fender pile sockets, and the demolition of part of the existing pier slab and extraction of piles.

This demolition will allow the installation of the new bank-seat and piling for the linkspan dolphins.

In addition to the permanent works described, the Highland Council’s contractor, RJ McLeod, will install a temporary bridge to span between the existing linkspan and the existing pier.

This will allow the ferry operations to recommence on Monday 13th of March for normal operation of the summer timetable in 2023.

The temporary works will also include the installation of protection piles adjacent to the new roundhead construction area. This will allow the contractor to continue piling the roundhead whilst the ferry is operating.

A second closure takes place from 30th October 2023 until 11th December 2023 to remove the temporary bridge, existing linkspan, dolphins, bank-seat and temporary piles, completion of the fenders and installation and commissioning of the new linkspan.

Ferry service changes during the closure periods will the complete withdrawal of a ferry for Harris. Harris traffic will be sent through Stornoway and Ullapool.

Lochmaddy

MV Hebrides will operate a daily return service between Ullapool and Lochmaddy for just over half the period. Lochmaddy departure time is 5.30am daily except Sundays which will be 6.30am.

MV Finlaggan is due to cover for a month during the Hebrides’s overhaul absence between 6 February - 4 March 2023

Tarbert

Tarbert – Uig service cancelled. No service to/from Tarbert for the duration of Uig closure.

Stornoway

MV Loch Seaforth to depart one hour earlier than usual to accommodate Ullapool – Lochmaddy service.

Mallaig/Oban – Lochboisdale

MV Lord of the Isles: 16 January - 18 January & 7 February - 13 March 2023. Daily return sailings between Lochboisdale – Mallaig on four days a week. Return sailings to Mallaig on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday plus two return trips on Saturdays. In addition, a run to and from Oban is scheduled on three days - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a 5.20am departure.

MV Isle of Mull will operate a service to and from Oban between 19 January - 1 February when the Loti is despatched to Coll, Tiree and Colonsay.

When MV Isle of Lewis goes for drydock and the Loti still serving the Inner Hebrides, MV Isle of Mull will undertake Lochboisdale - Barra - Oban relief sailings between 2 February and 6 February.

Berneray – Leverburgh

One additional return sailing to operate daily from 16 – 31 January 2023, in advance of the normal service level increase in February. 10.35am from Berneray and 11.45am from Leverburgh sailings will operate on a request basis to cater to demand. Normal published service will operate 1 February - 13 March 2023.

Fare Alignment

Customers utilising Lochmaddy – Ullapool or diverted to Stornoway – Ullapool, Lochboisdale – Oban/Mallaig will not pay higher fares.

Bus Transportation

Transport for displaced Tarbert/Uig foot passengers will be provided. Consultation with service users will take place in coming months, expected November 2022.

Skye Triangle Resilience Group

The group comprising of the Minister for Transport, project partners will meet in advance of and throughout the outage periods with community representatives to provide regular updates on the works and will address any issues that arise.

Full details and timetables for services during the outage can be found on CalMac’s website.

Ferry changes for Stornoway, Lochboisdale Tarbert and Lochmaddy confirmed during Skye triangle shutdown

23 September 2022