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| August 2007 news The following cruise ships will be calling at ports of the Western Isles during the month of August.
ANDREA Portree13th.
BOUDICCA Stornoway 17th 08.00-17.00.
C COLUMBAS Portree 21st 09.00-18.00, Oban 22nd 07.00-18.00.
DELPHIN VOYAGER Portree 20th 13.00-19.00.
ENDEAVOUR Inverewe 23rd, Iona 25th.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS Oban 16th, 23rd, 30th 08.00-19.00, Loch a’ Chairn 13th, Gairloch/Portree 14th, Muck/Coll 15th, Jura 16th, Port Ellen 21st, Colonsay 22nd, Eigg 24th, East Loch Tarbert 25th, Castlebay 26th, Muck 27th, Iona 28th, Jura/Colonsay 29th, Iona 31st.
KRISTINA REGINA Stornoway 2nd 09.00-16.00, 28th 10.00-16.00
PRINSENDAM Dunvegan 30th 08.00-17.00.
SILVER WIND Oban 26th 08.00-17.00.
VAN GOGH Ullapool 21st, 13.30, 25th 12.00-20.00.
Source: Ships Monthly www.shipsmonthly.com
Islanders on Luing are losing patience with their ageing ferry, BELNAHUA, after a recent refit was delayed by twelve weeks due to corroded propeller tubes.
The ferry returned to service on Tuesday 31st July after an absence of nearly fifteen weeks.
Relief ferry, THE GREY DOG, was hired by Argyll and Bute Council for up to fourteen hours a day to operate the short crossing from Seil to Luing.
Luing Community Council was concerned with the time it took for BELNAHUA to be repaired and the additional cost to the Council in boatyard expenses and hire of the relief ferry.
The Council said it was equally unhappy with the delay.
Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 2nd.
A Tiree woman, who has been battling serious illness this year, became skipper of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry CLANSMAN for a day.
Rona Campbell “took charge” of the ship as she sailed out of Oban bound for Tiree on Saturday 28th July at 07.00.
Rona, who has been receiving treatment for cancer, won the opportunity to skipper the ship after her cousin Catherine won a Comic Relief auction on Radio nan Gaidheal earlier this year.
Catherine wanted Rona to skipper the ship on her fortieth birthday but at the time she was still undergoing treatment at Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre in Glasgow.
It was not until last weekend that Rona got the chance to join Captain Colin Billimore on the bridge and sail the ship home.
Rona described it as a fantastic experience adding that she did not sleep a wink before the sailing.
Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 2nd.
M V COLL was built by James Lamont & Company, Port Glasgow and launched on Thursday 2nd August 1973.
She was the fifth of eight ships, which became known as the Island Class.
After a spell relieving LOCH ARKAIG on the Small Isles route in November 1973, she spent three years working between Lochaline and Fishnish before spending a year at Loch Kishorn. She then became the spare and relief ship for her Class.
COLL was sold to Irish owners in February 1998.
Source: Clydesite/Ian McCrorie-Royal Road to the Isles.
M V HEBRIDES, the third vessel to bear the name, was built by Ferguson Shipbuilders Ltd, Port Glasgow and launched on Thursday 2nd August 2000.
She was named by H M the Queen, the first time a reigning monarch had christened a vessel of the company or any of its predecessors.
Following fitting out she was ready for VIP cruises and “showing the flag” by March 2001. During one of these she was given the bell of the first HEBRIDES of 189, which had also graced the second HEBRIDES, MacBrayne’s first car ferry dating from 1964.
The design of the new ship was based on that of CLANSMAN, with various improvements suggested after three years of service. The main distinguishing feature is that she does not carry lifeboats, as her evacuation system is more sophisticated. Like her quasi-sister open deck space was improved during her overhaul in 2004.
HEBRIDES gave her first commercial sailing on 24th March 2001. Capacity was instantly increased by 50%. HEBRIDEAN ISLES, on the Uig triangle since 1986, was transferred to Islay displacing ISLE OF ARRAN, which became spare vessel.
As HEBRIDES was a much faster vessel the timetable from Uig to Lochmaddy and Tarbert was recast with three double runs being possible over a twelve-hour period.
HEBRIDES called at Ullapool while alterations and repairs were carried out at Uig. While the Lochmaddy linkspan was under repair she called at Lochboisdale.
As she was late in finishing her overhaul in April this year HEBRIDES took over CLANSMAN’s Oban roster on Monday 2nd. She remained at Oban for a week, the two ships changing places on Saturday 8th.
HEBRIDES is featured on the front cover of the 2007 Club Calendar. She is pictured arriving at Uig on 10th September 2005 in a superb photograph taken by Lawrence MacDuff.
Source: Clydesite/Ian McCrorie-CalMac Ferries.
Link to Caledonian MacBrayne.
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) are delighted to announce a new strategic partnership to attract visitors to some of Scotland’s most beautiful islands.
The Oban – Lochboisdale – Oban (LORD OF THE ISLES) service was delayed by one hour this morning (04/07) due to a medical emergency.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne www.calmac.co.uk
04/08/07.
RAASAY is currently in service on the Oban – Lismore route. This is so that crews can identify possible items to receive attention in her forthcoming annual overhaul at Corpach. EIGG is meanwhile lying at the spare berth adjacent to the slipway in Oban.
Tonight’s (06/07) Ullapool – Stornoway freight run (MUIRNEAG) is cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Source: Ships of CalMac/Caledonian MacBrayne.
06/08/07.
This morning’s 07.15 Stornoway – Ullapool and the 10.15 return sailings (ISLE OF LEWIS) were cancelled due to the weather.
Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that the Oban – Coll – Tiree – Oban service may face slight delays today and tomorrow (07/08) due to operational requirements.
Tomorrow’s service from Oban to Castlebay and back may also be delayed for the same reason. (CLANSMAN/LORD OF THE ISLES).
Source: BBC Scotland Travel News/Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
07/08/07.
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney today announced details of work targeted at delivering lower ferry fares for Scotland's island communities.
The first step will be a study to establish the most effective and sustainable structure for a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot scheme for setting ferry fares in Scotland. The benefits to islanders is a fundamental part of this study into RET. Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) involves setting ferry fares on the basis of the cost of travelling an equivalent distance by road. High ferry fares have been seen by many as a barrier to economic growth on the islands. Lowering the fares to a level analogous to mainland traffic costs could act as a boost to island economies by reducing freight costs to local businesses, lowering the cost of living for island residents and making the islands more attractive to tourists. Speaking from Stornoway Harbour Mr Swinney said: "This Government recognises the vital importance of lifeline ferry services in supporting Scotland's island communities. We understand the genuine concerns from our remote and fragile communities about the affordability of ferry travel and the impact this has on islanders. "I believe that the way forward is to consider the benefits of introducing a Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) approach to setting fares in Scotland. This approach would not just benefit islanders by providing cheaper fares but could also boost island economies by attracting tourists and supporting businesses. "I am pleased to announce today that we have moved ahead to fulfil our commitment to carry out a study into the benefits of RET. As part of that study we will undertake a pilot scheme on one or more of the routes between the mainland and the Western Isles." Notes to Editors 1. The study will initially make recommendations on the form the pilot exercise should take, including the route(s) to be selected, the fares to be charged and the length of the pilot, and provide a preliminary assessment of the potential costs and benefits. The consultants will also be asked to monitor the operation of the pilot and, once it is finished, provide an evaluation of the exercise. This will allow decisions to be taken on future ferry fares in Scotland. A report on options will be completed by end 2007 as the main output of the first phase of the study. 2. The first phase of the study will- * review approaches to fare setting for public service ferries in other countries, including the RET approach; * offer definitions of RET that could be applied to all categories of passenger and vehicular traffic in the context of ferry fares for the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles routes which are subsidised by the Scottish Executive; * provide an initial analysis of the potential impacts (especially in economic and social terms) of the introduction of an RET approach; * make recommendations on the design and implementation of a pilot study applying RET on one or more of the routes connecting the Scottish mainland and the Western Isles (i.e. Stornoway to Ullapool, Tarbert/Lochmaddy to Uig (Skye) and Castlebay/Lochboisdale to Oban), including the choice of route(s), anticipated costs, start date, length of the pilot, operational constraints and any capacity constraints that may emerge; and * carry out any baseline information gathering in advance of the pilot that is considered necessary for subsequent monitoring and evaluation purposes. 3. The second phase of the study will involve the monitoring of the pilot study, including the gathering of traffic statistics and information from, for example, ferry users and local employers (including the freight and tourist sectors) designed to allow the impact of the pilot (especially in economic and social terms) to be assessed. 4. The third phase of the study will involve an evaluation of the pilot, making use of the information gathered through the baseline and monitoring exercises. In addition to assessing the impact of the pilot, the evaluation should attempt, as far as is possible, to quantify both the costs and benefits which would arise should RET be applied on a permanent basis and rolled out to other ferry routes in the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles networks and the likely longer-term impacts of such a roll out. This stage should seek to identify any capacity constraints that would emerge from a permanent roll out and quantify the cost of increasing the capacity to meet demand (e.g. through additional or larger vessels and new shore infrastructure). Senior Communications Officer: Lisa McDonald: 07810507013 Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk Source: Clydesite-Colin Gillies.
13/08/07.
LORD OF THE ISLES had to put in to Tobermory on her way out to Lochboisdale on the morning of Saturday 4th. This was due to a medical emergency onboard. The vessel left the Mull port at 1050 and then ran an hour late for the remainder of the day.
RAASAY commenced her annual overhaul on the slip at Corpach on Monday 6th. Her gantry mast has been completely removed to allow her to fit into the shed at the yard. She is to be "Sand Blasted" back to the steel before receiving a fresh coat of paint. This has to be done to all ships every 10 coats of paint so they do not get overweight, which can cause problems when in rough weather etc. Once her overhaul is complete, it is expected that she will follow last year's routine of heading down to Rathlin to relieve CANNA.
On Tuesday 7th LORD OF THE ISLES took the 1500 sailing to Tiree in lieu of CLANSMAN, which later sailed to Tiree and on to Lochboisdale. This was to allow CLANSMAN to carry some cargo regarding the re-surfacing of Tiree's airstrip.
LORD OF THE ISLES covered CLANSMAN again on Wednesday with the 0600 return to Tiree. She then took the delayed 1340 sailing to Barra. CLANSMAN returned from Lochboisdale on the scheduled sailing and sat at Oban before swapping back with LORD OF THE ISLES on Thursday.
HEBRIDEAN ISLES will be out of service from Thursday 6th September until Tuesday 11th. She will be in dry-dock receiving repairs to her bow ramp.
Source: Ships of CalMac www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk
Link to Caledonian MacBrayne.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is advising customers using the Islay service at the beginning of September that one of the island's two ferries will be temporarily withdrawn for essential maintenance.
A large number of passengers were left fuming after being turned away from ISLE OF MULL for the 10.00 service to Craignure on Monday 13th. They had to wait for the next sailing after being told that the vessel was at full capacity.
Due to falling tourist numbers and bad weather the Craignure service has not been as busy this year.
A spokesman for Caledonian MacBrayne confirmed that there is no booking facility for foot passengers only for those travelling with cars so it is a case of first come first served.
Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 16th.
18/08/07.
A supporter of the Tour of Mull Rally has expressed huge disappointment with Caledonian MacBrayne for ending concessionary fares.
In previous years competitors with trailers have paid non-commercial rates and those staying for more than five days have paid the reduced short-stay rate.
But CalMac has confirmed that this will not be the case this year.
The ferry company, busy tendering with the Scottish Executive for island ferry routes, says concessions for the rally, which takes place in October, are not in its contract.
However, organisers of the rally are keen to maintain links with CalMac, which sponsors a trophy for the best Scottish driver and is negotiating ways of helping the rally in other ways.
A CalMac spokesman confirmed that the concessions would not apply this year. He said the company was putting in place a written agreement with the rally organisers in which it would offer support in other ways.
Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 23rd.
The following cruise ships will be calling at ports of the Western Isles during the month of September.
AMADEA Ullapool 5th 09.00-19.00, Tobermory 6th 08.00-13.00.
ARIELLE Stornoway 12th 08.00-21.00, Tobermory 13th 07.00-17.00.
ASTOR Oban 17th 08.00-19.00, Stornoway 18th 07.00-18.30.
BREMEN Gairloch 16th 09.00-16.00.
CLIPPER ADVENTURER Stornoway 10th.
DELPHIN Oban 3rd.
DEUTSCHLAND Tobermory 07.00-18.30.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS Oban 6th 13th 20th 27th 08.00-19.00, Castlebay 1st, Eriskay 2nd 10th 24th 28th, East Loch Tarbert 3rd, Portree 4th 30th, Colonsay 7th 21st, Tiree 8th 22nd, Muck 5th 9th 23rd, Canna 25th, Tobermory 12th 26th, Dunvegan 29th.
MAXIM GORKI Ullapool 18th.
OCEAN MAJESTY Tobermory 11th 08.00-15.00.
SAGA ROSE Tobermory 5th 08.0-19.00, Portree 6th 08.00-17.00.
SEVEN SEAS VOYAGER Portree 6th 08.00-17.00.
Source: Ships Monthly. www.shipsmonthly.com
LOCH TARBERT has been out of service for engine maintenance. Her roster on the Lochranza – Claonaig route was taken over by LOCH BHRUSDA. LOCH TARBERT returned to service on Thursday 23rd while LOCH BHRUSDA returned to her lay-up berth at Fairlie.
Source: Ships of CalMac. www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk
25/08/07.
LOCH RIDDON departed from Largs today (28/08) bound for Iona where she will relieve LOCH BUIE. She is going to Corpach for some maintenance. LOCH RIDDON will spend tonight at Port Askaig.
Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that the Oban – Castlebay – Oban service on Friday 31st will be subject to delay as a result of operational requirements.
The Sound of Harris service faces disruptions over the next few days due to tidal restrictions. The following services are cancelled:
Wednesday 29th 13.30 ex Berneray 14.45 ex Leverburgh.
Thursday 30th 12.05 ex Berneray 13.30 ex Leverburgh.
Friday 31st 13.30 ex Berneray 14.45 ex Leverburgh.
On Thursday an additional service will depart from Berneray at 10.00 and from Leverburgh at 11.15.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne www.calmac.co.uk Scotships-Walter Bowie.
28/08/07.
LOCH BUIE left Corpach on Friday 31st. LOCH RIDDON is due back at Largs where she will remain until mid October when she goes to Ardmaleish for her overhaul. After completion of her overhaul LOCH RIDDON will take up the combined Tarbet – Lochranza – Claonaig winter roster.
Source: Scotships-Walter Bowie.
M V CLAYMORE was built by Robb Caledon, Leith and was launched on 31st August 1978. She is the third ship to bear the name.
The West Highland Steamer Club visited the shipyard to view the new ship under construction.
CLAYMORE was built to the same design as PIONEER (1974), which was built by the same shipyard, although she was much bigger. She entered service on the Outer Isles route from Oban and also served Coll and Tiree She sailed to Barra and Lochboisdale and the Inner Isles on alternate days. CLAYMORE was to remain on this route for ten years.
Following the introduction of LORD OF THE ISLES in 1989, CLAYMORE moved down to Kennacraig from where she served Islay. ISLE OF ARRAN displaced her on this route in 1993 after CALEDONIAN ISLES appeared on the Brodick run. CLAYMORE became spare vessel during the summer.
On Sunday 4th October Caledonian MacBrayne organised a cruise as part of the Club’s Silver Jubilee celebrations. CLAYMORE departed from Kennacraig at 13.25 bound for Gourock where she arrived at 20.30. The ship was dressed overall and the Club’s flag was flown at the mainmast.
She sailed via the Sound of Gigha, Mull of Kintyre, Kilbrannan Sound and Lochranza Bay.
Captain Norman Martin invited all the passengers on to the Bridge during the voyage. Visits to the engine room were also organised and much appreciated.
During the summer of 1993 CLAYMORE sailed for the Clyde. On Friday 27th August she made her maiden call at Wemyss Bay and entered service on the Rothesay run. On the same day she also called at Dunoon (another first). She assisted on the Gourock – Dunoon route on Cowal Games Saturday. In October and December she saw action on the Ardrossan – Brodick route after CALEDONIAN ISLES suffered from mechanical problems.
During the summer of 1994 CLAYMORE embarked on what was a most unusual employment-weekend voyages to Douglas, Isle of Man. For this service she was given an International Passenger Certificate for 300. On one occasion at Douglas she used her hoist, the first time this method of loading and unloading had ever been used on the Isle of Man. She carried on with this service in 1995.
In September 1995 CLAYMORE became the first CalMac vessel to visit Wales. On Monday 4th September she set sail from Ardrossan at 21.00 bound for Llandudno under charter to the Hamilton Oil Company. She arrived at 09.40 on Tuesday 5th. She returned to the Clyde and arrived at Gourock at 11.25 on Thursday 7th.
In 1996 CLAYMORE had the most interesting year of any ship in the CalMac fleet and probably became its most travelled member. During the year, which turned out to be her last full year with Caledonian MacBrayne, she visited more ports than any other of her consorts had ever done before. Apart for the James Watt Dock, Greenock, she called at Gourock, Dunoon, Wemyss Bay, Rothesay, Largs, Ardrossan, Brodick, Tarbert (Loch Fyne), Ardrishaig, Kennacraig, Port Ellen, Port Askaig, Colonsay, Oban, Craignure, Mallaig, Armadale, Castlebay, Lochboisdale, Lochmaddy, Tarbert (Harris), Heysham, Douglas and Dun Laoghaire-twenty-four terminals in total.
Her last passenger sailing for Caledonian MacBrayne was on Tuesday 22nd April 1997 when she sailed from Kennacraig to Port Ellen at 18.00. On Thursday 1st May CLAYMORE was sold to Argyll and Antrim Steam Packet Company, a subsidiary of Sea Containers Scotland Ltd. Under the terms of the sale CLAYMORE was to be returned to CalMac under charter so that the winter overhaul programme could be carried out.
On Monday 30TH June CLAYMORE departed from Campbeltown on her inaugural sailing to Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. She was to remain on this service during the summer for three years. In February 2000 Sea Containers announced that the Campbeltown – Ballycastle service would not be operating again. CLAYMORE was moved to Birkenhead where she was place on the sale list but would be available for charter. In June she sailed to the Faroe Isles where she remained for five weeks. On completion of her charter she returned to her lay-up berth at Birkenhead.
CLAYMORE remained languishing at Birkenhead for two years until Mr Andrew Banks, owner and operator of Pentland Ferries, announced that he had bought a second ship, which turned out to be CLAYMORE. His first ship was the former CalMac vessel, IONA, since re-named PENTALINA B.
CLAYMORE left Birkenhead on Sunday 6th October 2002 but did not arrive at her new home at St Margaret’s Hope, Orkney, until Sunday 13th. She was expected to enter service between St Margaret’s Hope and Gills Bay, Caithness. Unfortunately traffic did not pick up as expected and CLAYMORE has only seen intermittent service on this route. On occasions her passengers numbers have been limited to twelve.
During the summer of 2006 she was employed on short-term charter as a livestock carrier between Dover and Calais.
This is a sad end to what was a productive and useful member of the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet.
CLAYMORE is featured on the May page of the 2007 Club Calendar. She is pictured arriving at Mallaig in 1997. Photograph: The Late Hamish Stewart, Club President, 1998-2000.
Source: Ian McCrorie-Royal Road to the Isles/Clyde River Steamer Club Reviews 1992-2002
West Highland Steamer Club Newsletter No 46.
Friday 31st August 2007.
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Contact WHSC: info@westhighlandsteamerclub.co.uk