Inter-island ferry, MV Loch Portain, resumes service just in time for busy Easter holidays

25 March 2024

The Sound of Harris ferry route has its regular vessel back after a prolonged delay.

MV Loch Portain returned on Monday following an extended drydocking.

However, she will keep to the timetable put in place for her relief, MV Loch Bhrusda.

Traffic levels are building up on the route and the Loch Portain’s full capacity is required as the Easter holidays mark the start of the busy summer tourism season.

MV Loch Portain’s absence for annual overhaul took about three times as long as envisaged when she departed at the beginning of February.

Issues with the vessel, latterly her Schottel pump jet propulsion units which allow her to navigate the shallow waters of the Sound of Harris caused the hold-up. Problems with her car ramp also arose.

As CalMac grapples with the serious consequences of providing sailings throughout a major vessel outage, it has earmarked MV Loch Bhrusda to operate the Skye - Malllaig run since MV Coruisk was transferred to Mull to cover capacity shortages there.