news |
| March 2010 news 30/03/10.
It is with great sadness that the writer has to report the passing of Jimmy Birse, Club President from 1994 to 1996.
Jimmy had been suffering from a long period of illness stretching over many years.
He would have been eighty-six on 1st April.
Jimmy is a former employee of both David MacBrayne and Caledonian MacBrayne.
He was involve with Coach and Ferry Tours, which were introduced when the three
car ferries, COLUMBA, HEBRIDES and CLANSMAN entered service in 1964.
Jimmy retired from Caledonian MacBrayne in 1984 where he was Traffic Manager.
Many thanks to Robin Love for the information.
Duncan Wilson.
Due to a combination of factors Port Ellen will be unavailable for most of today possibly all day. A barley boat is occupying the pier and repairs are being carried out on the linkspan. The following diversion timetable to Port Askaig will therefore operate today.
Dep Kennacraig 07.00 Arr Port Askaig 09.05.
Dep Kennacraig 09.45 Arr Port Askaig 11.50.
Dep Kennacraig 13.00 Arr Port Askaig 15.05.
Dep Kennacraig 18.00 Arr Port Ellen 20.20 (This sailing may also have to divert to Port Askaig)
Dep Port Askaig 09.45 Arr Kennacraig 11.50.
Dep Port Askaig 15.30 Arr Kennacraig 17.35.
Dep Port Askaig 18.00 Arr Kennacraig 20.05.
These sailings would normally have been scheduled Port Ellen sailings, which will now operate to and from Port Askaig instead.
The 07.00 sailing from Port Askaig was cancelled this morning due to the weather conditions.
Sailings from Berneray to Leverburgh are disrupted today due to the weather and tidal conditions.
The 07.15 & 09.45 sailings from Berneray and the 08.25 & 10.55 sailings from Leverburgh have been cancelled due to the weather.
The 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and the 11.35 & 14.45 sailings from Leverburgh have been cancelled due to low tides.
The situation will be reviewed at 16.00.
The 12.15 & 13.45 sailings from Mallaig and the 12.55 & 14.30 sailings from Armadale have been cancelled for today due to low tides and adverse weather.
The 15.10 sailing is currently on Amber due to an adverse weather forecast.
Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that sailings from Oban to Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist may be subject to weather disruptions today.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
28/03/10.
Sailings across the Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh are facing disruptions and cancellations due to tidal conditions from Monday 29th March until Thursday 1st April.
Monday 29th .The 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and the 11.35 & 14.45 return sailings from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 14.45 and from Leverburgh at 15.55.
Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st. The 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and 11.35 & 14.45 return sailings from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.45 and from Leverburgh at 10.55.
Thursday 1st. The 13.30 sailing from Berneray and the 14.45 return from Leverburgh have been cancelled.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
27/03/10.
Due to the weather and pier works at Port Ellen the 18.00 sailing from Kennacraig this evening has diverted to Port Askaig. As a result of this diversion the 09.45 sailing tomorrow from Islay will now depart from Port Askaig and not Port Ellen as timetabled.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
Gavin Stewart entertained the Club on Friday 26th with a presentation entitled “ Meanderings in Medium Format-The Climie Collection”.
Gavin is a collector of Collections. The “Climie” referred to above is Brian Climie from Irvine whose father and grandfather were avid shipping photographers. “ Medium Format” refers to the format of negatives, which Gavin scanned onto a more modern digital format.
Gavin is also in possession of photographs from the James Lamont & Co Ltd Collection and from Bobby Sinclair who lives in Colintraive.
Our journey started on the Clyde in Glasgow where we saw KING GEORGE V mid-river adjacent to the Bridge Wharf. Ships of Burns Laird were lined up alongside Lancefield Quay. Gavin took us down river to Rothesay. Among the ships viewed en route were DUCHESS OF MONTROSE, JEANIE DEANS, WAVERLEY, LOCHFYNE, LOCHNEVIS and LOCH CARRON as well as traditional cargo vessels.
On of the more unusual photos was of the P & O liner CANBERRA anchored off Kilcreggan while on trials from the Harland & Wolff yard in Belfast.
Our journey ended in Oban.
Most of the photos were in black-and-white.
Robert Warnock gave the Vote of Thanks.
The next meeting is the Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Friday 30th April.
All meetings are held in the Kirk Lounge, Renfield St Stephens Church Hall, Bath Street, Glasgow round the corner from Charing Cross Station. Meetings commence at 19.30.
After the close of business Alistair Deayton will show a selection of DVDs of shipping interest.
Duncan Wilson.
The West Highland Steamer Club 2010 Calendar is still available for sale, either at Club meetings or by post.
The front cover portrays CLANSMAN (1998) sailing through the Sound of Gunna, while the back cover features the Club outing to Bute using the preserved MacBrayne’s AEC Reliance coach, which is owned by Past President Lawrence Macduff.
The following vessels are included in the calendar:
January. HEBRIDEAN ISLES and ISLE OF ARRAN at Kennacraig.
February. ARRAN at Port Ellen.
March.LOCHMOR and LOCHEARN at Lochboisdale.
April.LOCHNEVIS (2000) at Sconser.
May.LOCH ARKAIG at Canna.
June.MOUNTAINEER at Crinan.
July.ISLE OF LEWIS and ISLE OF ARRAN at Stornoway.
August.IONA (1970) in West Loch Tarbert.
September.LOCH CARRON approaching Scarinish.
October.CORUISK (2003) departing from Armadale.
November.CLAYMORE (1955) on the Firth of Clyde while on builder’s trials.
December.HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS passing through the Corran Narrows.
The calendar is priced at £6.50 if purchased at Club meetings or £7.50 if ordered by post. The calendar is available in a twelve-page format in limited numbers at a price of £9.00 including postage on a first-come-first-served basis.
Those of you who would like to buy a calendar should write to Mr Robin Love, Treasurer WHSC, 29 Cyprus Avenue, ELDERSLIE, PA5 9NB.
Please make cheques payable to the West Highland Steamer Club.
The subscription rate (2010-2011) is £15.00. For those who would like to join the Club please write to Robin Love at the above address.
In addition to the calendar the Club publishes a Journal twice a year, which includes news of the Caledonian MacBrayne fleet and personnel.
Members are given the opportunity to buy the photographs, which are published in the Journal.
Duncan Wilson.
19/03/10.
As expected some ferry services are disrupted by the weather conditions today.
The 07.00 sailing from Stornoway to Ullapool and the return at 10.25 were cancelled due to adverse weather. Weather permitting the timetable will resume at 13.50 today from Stornoway.
The Sound of Harris service between Berneray and Leverburgh also faces disruptions.
The 11.10 sailing from Berneray and the 12.20 return from Leveburgh have been postponed. The situation will be reviewed at 13.00 with a view to sailing from Berneray at 13.30.
The 07.55 sailing from Raasay and the 08.25 from Sconser cancelled.
The 08.40 from Mallaig and the 09.25 return from Armadale sailings were liable to disruption or possible cancellation as was the Small Isle service to Eigg and Muck, which was due to leave Mallaig at 10.20 today.
The Fionnphort to Iona service was suspended this morning. The situation was reviewed at 11.15.
Sailings will operate between Kennacraig and Islay as follows today:
09.45 & 15.30 from Port Askaig to Kennacraig.
07.00, 13.00 & 18.00 from Kennacraig to Port Askaig.
09.45 from Kennacraig & 18.00 from Islay have been cancelled due to technical problems. Saturday 20th
04.15 & 15.30 from Port Askaig to Kennacraig.
09.45 Port Ellen to Kennacraig.
07.00 & 18:00 Kennacraig to Port Ellen.
13.00 Kennacraig to Port Askaig.
The 07.00 sailing from Islay will operate at the earlier time of 04.15hrs from Port Askaig. This is due to ongoing technical problems and is currently operating the one vessel timetable. All other sailings will operate as per timetable.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
18/03/10.
Strong winds are expected to sweep over the Western Isles today and tomorrow.
Tonight’s Stornoway-Ullapool freight service at 23.30 and the return from Ullapool at 05.00 is cancelled due to the adverse weather.
Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that certain sailings may be disrupted for weather related reasons.
This morning’s 08.40 ex Mallaig and 09.20 return from Armadale were liable to disruption as were the afternoon sailings at 16.00 ex Mallaig and the 16.45return from Armadale.
This morning’s sailing from Mallaig to Rum and Canna, which was due to depart at 10.20 was liable to disruption and possible cancellation due to stormy weather conditions.
The Outer Isles service from Oban to Lochboisdale and Castlebay and back may be disrupted or delayed due to the weather conditions. The vessel left Oban as scheduled at 15.40.
Caledonian MacBrayne are continuing to advise their customers about the major roadworks on the A87 near Sconser.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
The service from Kennacraig to Port Ellen and Port Askaig continues to face disruptions due to technical reasons from Sunday 14th until Saturday 20th.
The following amended timetable will operate:
From Kennacraig
07.00 Kennacraig – Port Ellen Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
13.00 Kennacraig – Port Askaig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
18.00 Kennacraig – Port Ellen Wednesday and Saturday.
18.00 Kennacraig – Port Askaig Monday and Friday.
From Islay
04.15 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Saturday only.
04.15 Port Ellen – Kennacraig Monday and Thursday.
09.45 Port Ellen – Kennacraig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
15.30 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
20.20 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Monday only.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
The Berneray - Leverburgh (Sound of Harris) service is facing disruptions and cancellations due to tidal conditions from Monday 29th March until Thursday 1st April.
Monday 29th 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and 11.35 & 14.45 sailings from Leverburgh are cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 14.45 and from Leverburgh at 15.55.
Tuesday 30th 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and 11.35 & 14.45 sailings from Leverburgh are cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.45 and from Leverburgh at 10.55.
Wednesday 31st 10.30 & 13.30 sailings from Berneray and 11.35 & 14.45 sailings from Leverburgh are cancelled. There will be additional sailings departing from Berneray at 09.45 and from Leverburgh at 10.55.
Thursday 1st 13.30 sailing from Berneray and 14.45 sailing from Leverburgh are cancelled. For further information please contact Lochmaddy office 01876 500337(option2) or Tarbert office 01859 502444(option 2)
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
06/03/10.
The following amended timetable will operate on the Islay route until Saturday 13th March.
From Kennacraig:
07.00 Kennacraig – Port Askaig Monday and Tuesday.
07.00 Kennacraig – Port Ellen Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
13.00 Kennacraig – Port Askaig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
18.00 Kennacraig – Port Ellen Wednesday and Saturday.
18.00 Kennacraig – Port Askaig Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday.
From Islay:
04.15 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Monday and Saturday.
04.15 Port Ellen – Kennacraig Thursday only.
09.45 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Monday and Tuesday.
09.45 Port Ellen – Kennacraig Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
15.30 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
20.20 Port Askaig – Kennacraig Monday and Thursday.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
03/03/10.
The Kennacraig-Islay route continues to operate an amended timetable. The following timetable will operate up to Saturday 6th March.
From Kennacraig:
07.00 Kennacraig-Port Ellen Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 13.00 Kennacraig-Port Askaig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
18.00 Kennacraig-Port Ellen Sunday and Wednesday.
18.00 Kennacraig-Port Askaig Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
From Islay:
04.15 Port Ellen-Kennacraig Monday and Thursday.
04.15 Port Askaig-Kennacraig Saturday only.
09.45 Port Ellen-Kennacraig Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 15.30 Port Askaig-Kennacraig Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
20.20 Port Askaig-Kennacraig Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk
Link to Caledonian MacBrayne.
Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne’s (CalMac) latest TV advertising campaign, which aims to lure visitors to the islands of the West Coast of Scotland, gets underway this week.
|
Contact WHSC: info@westhighlandsteamerclub.co.uk