Ferry sailings cancelled as wild weather sweeps over the Hebrides

3 December 2024

All Western Isles ferry services face disruption on Wednesday with most sailings cancelled during the peak of stormy weather.

If the adverse forecast comes in as expected MV Loch Seaforth is set to undertake her early Wednesday morning passenger sailing from Stornoway to Ullapool.

But the ferry will tie up at the Wester Ross port for the rest of the day. Her freight departure from Stornoway on Wednesday night is also cancelled. The route remains on yellow alert until the Atlantic low tracks further north thus her overnight freight sailing from the mainland is also liable to disruption.

MV Isle of Lewis was running around five hours behind schedule last night with passengers disembarking at Castlebay at nearly 10pm due to an earlier bad weather delay. Her Wednesday’s timetable is cancelled with high waves forecast in the area. CalMac says the ferry is unable to operate any additional service on Thursday due to continuing adverse weather conditions affecting her route.

The additional Sound of Barra sailings - temporarily introduced to give ferryless South Uist travellers a connection with the Castlebay – Oban service - are cancelled. MV Loch Alainn plans to carry out sailings until the fierce winds hit the coast with the expectation of her completing the morning and lunchtime timetable. However, her afternoon service is cancelled as storm force winds are forecast.

CalMac said the Sound of Harris service is liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice with the afternoon service very much in doubt.

In the morning, the revised Tarbert - Skye sailing will operate but MV Hebrides which is already operating an amended timetable due to ship coverage issues on the inter-island Berneray link will suspend sailings after her morning arrival at Lochmaddy.

Timetables for South Uist have been withdrawn until a vessel becomes available while a penciled-in run by the Clansman on Thursday may be affected by weather.