news

ISLE OF ARRAN departed Oban at 1715 on Friday 29^th April and arrived at Port Ellen to berth overnight at 2245. On Saturday she departed for Kennacraig from where she was due to do a freight run on Monday 2^nd May.

LOCH STRIVEN left the slip at Ardmaleish on the morning of Tuesday 3^rd and was replaced by LOCH RANZA.

A new exhibition entitled “ The Ferrymen” is to be launched by the Feolin Study Centre on the Island of Jura.

On May 5^th Dr. Gary McKay will give a short talk about the exhibition. Dr. McKay will show selections from his forthcoming documentary film of the same name.

Professor Donald Meek, chairman of the School of Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh, will visit the exhibition and give a talk on May 12^th. Professor Meek will talk about the days of steamship and ferry travel throughout the west of Scotland and the effect it had on the Gaelic culture.

The exhibition is open from May 5^th to June 6^th and is open to the public seven days a week at the Study Centre exhibition area alongside Feolin Ferry House on the island.

On Thursday 5^th WAVERLEY failed to make her call at Mallaig due to high winds. She was due to arrive at 1300 and then leave for a cruise into Loch Nevis after an hour’s break returning at 1600.

A substitute stopover was made at Armadale. Some passengers managed to make their way across on CORUISK.

The morning of Saturday 7^th and the writer was one of many people gathered on Oban Pier waiting for WAVERLEY arriving from Tobermory where she berthed overnight. Although the sun was shining a cold wind swept in from the sea.

Shortly before 1000 the steamer appeared from the north end of Kerrera, the beat of her paddles resounding across the bay. Before long she was tied up, the gangways rolled out and her passengers began streaming on board.

Our destination today was the Island of Rum where WAVERLEY would be making her maiden call. However no sooner were we on board when the Purser, Jim McFadzean, gave a note of warning. Reports from shipping in the open waters beyond Mull told of heavy swells and high winds due to increase in the afternoon. Jim therefore advised anyone who had to get to Rum to make alternative arrangements.

After a short delay to take on water WAVERLEY left Oban and sailed straight away into a strong westerly wind. The island class ferry BRUERNISH passed to port inward bound to Oban to become spare vessel.

On the approaches to Tobermory we heard the bad news. Due to a heavy swell off Rum the local boatmen advised that it would not be safe to transfer passengers from WAVERLEY to the smaller boat the SHEERWATER. An alternative cruise was offered. After leaving Tobermory we would cruise back down the Sound of Mull, into Loch Linnhe, round Lismore and up to Ballachulish Bridge before returning to Tobermory in the evening. WAVERLEY would then return to Oban at the scheduled time of 1900.

This writer chose to disembark at Tobermory giving him seven hours to spend on the island. The steamer remained at the pier long enough to run round to the fishing pier and take a few photos of the ship. Unfortunately there wasn’t time to go up to the Western Isles Hotel. That would have to wait for another day.

A walk out to Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse is always a favourite way to pass the time when in Tobermory. From this vantage point the writer spotted the “ Linnhe” heading back to Kilchoan. With a stroke of luck CLANSMAN came surging up the Sound inward bound from Coll and Tiree.

A better footpath leads to Aros Park from the south end of the town giving great views over the bay. Back in Tobermory and a couple of pints in the Mishnish will go down a treat.

WAVERLEY arrived back at 1800 giving those who remained on board an hour to stretch their legs. The ship left Tobermory on schedule at 1900 and at 2040 the familiar sight of McCaigs Tower appeared in view. Shortly the ship was tied up at the North Pier, Oban leaving everyone with happy memories of another day on WAVERLEY.

Another favourite ship will be the centre of attraction on Friday May13th. ISLE OF MULL, now in her 17th year of service, will be turned into a floating art gallery. Caledonian MacBrayne is teaming up with the artist John Lawrie Morrison and Kranenburg and Fowler Fine Art in Oban to stage the exhibition followed by a cruise to Colonsay.

The evening will contribute to the funding of the work done by local branches of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. A painting will be auctioned during the cruise. It is hoped that CalMac historian Ian McCrorie will act as auctioneer.

CalMac is holding a special afternoon ceilidh in the new Oban Terminal prior to boarding with local entertainer Hector MacFadyen providing the music.

From two happy and cheerful stories to something a bit sad. After many years of serving passengers from around the world demolition will begin on the old Ferry Terminal in Oban. Due to the close proximity to the new Terminal demolition will be carried out bit by bit.

High winds and a heavy swell prevented WAVERLEY from calling at Coll much to the disappointment of the islanders who were looking forward to an afternoon cruise on board the ship.

LOCH RANZA has returned to her summer roster on the Gigha run. LOCH RIDDON is back on the Clyde.

Weather problems have plagued WAVERLEY’s season among the Western Isles this year. She was unable to carry passengers back to Ayr on Monday 9^th. Instead a cruise to Tobermory via the Sound of Kerrera and Duart Castle was offered. After two hours ashore at Tobermory, Waverley arrived back at Oban at 1550. She departed from Oban at 0515 on Tuesday morning and arrived at Ayr at 1315.

LOCH NEVIS will carry out an additional service to Rum on Sunday 15^th May. She will depart Mallaig at 1630 and depart from Rum at 1800.

The former Isle of Eigg flit boat LAIG BAY (2002) is for sale. She is presently lying on the shore at Corpach. The Corpach Boatbuilding Company is handling the sale.

ISLE OF ARRAN carried out the Islay service on Saturday 14^th while HEBRIDEAN ISLES, moored at the north berth, was out of service for painting and maintenance. Since the “Arran” has been at Kennacraig she has carried out a couple of freight runs. The two-ship service to Islay starts on Friday 20^th May.

While the islanders of Luing have been told they can not have a fixed link to the mainland, the islanders of neighbouring Easdale have been told they are to get a bridge to the island of Seil whether they want one or not. The “Bridge Over the Atlantic” already connects Seil to the mainland.

Argyll and Bute Council have told the residents of Luing they must keep their ferry even though they want a bridge to the mainland also via the island of Siel.

The Island of Easdale, population 58, is connected to Seil by an open motorboat, which carries 12 people. The Council consider that the ferry is not cost effective for only 58 people. They also feel that a bridge should be built for safety reasons should there be a medical emergency or a major fire.

Easdale has no roads and is a car free island. Residents feel that this is the very reason why people come to live on the island.

The residents of Luing have been told they will get a new ferry and slipways. However they are continuing their fight for a fixed link to the mainland.

The David MacBrayne fleet, in 1902, consisted of thirty steamers, sixteen of which were bought second hand, and the average age of the whole fleet was a shade over thirty-two years.

In the course of the next three years a total of seven new ships were built. They were: SS LAPWING II (1903), SS SHEILA (1904), SS PLOVER III /LOCH ALINE (1904), SS CYGNET II (1904), SS BRENDA II (1904), PS PIONEER II (1905) and the last of the seven, SS CLYDESDALE II which was launched on 18^th May 1905 from the Bowling yard of Scott & Sons.

CLYDESDALE was built for the Glasgow – Inverness cargo and passenger traffic. In a lifespan of forty-eight years she barely visited Inverness more than three times.

Although superior in minor details and finish, CLYDESDALE was almost an exact replica of the CAVALIER (1883). Her engine room, housing the triple – expansion machinery, was much more spacious than that of her older sister.

During the early summer of 1905 the two ships provided a twice-weekly service to Inverness. Then came the loss of the GLENDALE in July of 1905 bringing a swift end to her service on the Inverness run. CLYDESDALE was immediately switched to the Glasgow - Islay run on which she remained for fifteen years.

CLYDESDALE proved herself to be a useful member of the fleet for the Glasgow-West Coast trade during the winter months when trade was less than fruitful. She saw service as the Stornoway mail ship after the loss of SHEILA in January 1927 remaining on this run until LOCHNESS III came out in 1929.

Being an excellent sea boat, CLYDESDALE became familiar with many West Highland ports during her forty-eight years of service for David MacBrayne. Throughout the Second World War she served on various cargo, passenger and mail services, and in October 1946, acted as relief Stornoway cargo steamer. She also carried out sheep ferry duties from the islands to Oban and Kyle of Lochalsh. During her later years she rarely carried passengers.

After the War she returned briefly to the Glasgow- Islay cargo run. MacBrayne’s, however, started to rationalise the cargo runs some calls being transferred to the Outer Isles ships while others were made by road transport.

Many people, islanders and crews alike, were sorry to see CLYDESDALE being withdrawn from the fleet. MacBrayne’s last “dale” had possibly made more calls and served on more routes than any other ship, in peace or war. In February 1953 she was sold and scrapped in Port Glasgow.

CLYDESDALE II (1905) is featured on the October page of the Club Calendar in a photograph taken from the Ian McCrorie Collection.

The islanders of Islay are to receive a second Sunday sailing during the summer making it easier for them to have more time away from the island. Instead of rushing back for the 1230 pm sailing they now have the option of a later sailing at 1800 from Kennacraig.

Caledonian MacBrayne have made this change in response to a request from the residents of Islay following a public meeting on the island. Community Councillors are of the opinion that as people are travelling to and from the islands all year round there should be no need for a change of timetable during the summer months.

The two-ship service is now in operation to Islay using HEBRIDEAN ISLES and ISLE OF ARRAN. However CalMac have tried to utilise the “Arran” where possible for freight runs to Islay freeing up space on the “Heb Isles”.

A successful night on board ISLE OF MULL raised £3,300 for the Princess Trust for Carers, the favourite charity of artist John Lowrie Morrison. Retired Ballachulish GP Dr. Roddy MacLeod paid £2,300 for a painting by Jolomo auctioned on board ship. A raffle raised a further £1,000

After the auction guests enjoyed an excellent meal prepared by CalMac’s catering staff. The function, held during a cruise to Colonsay, was a great success.

Tenders have been invited by the Scottish Executive for a roll on roll off passenger and vehicle ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle. The tender comes with an annual subsidy of £1 million over five years. A minimum level of service is specified in the contract. The ferry service should run for eleven months of the year.

A summer only service ran from 1997-1999 without subsidy but was withdrawn before the 2000 summer season began. At that time the route carried 26,000 passengers and 6,000 vehicles per season over an average sixteen-week period.

The decision to re-tender the service again follows a joint Scottish Executive and Northern Ireland Office review of the service and work undertaken by the Kintyre and Moyle business communities. The Dalriada Business Action Group (DBAG) has presented work to demonstrate the case for a further tendering exercise, and raised the profile of the route for potential operators.

Oban has welcomed another cruise ship this week. The 10,417 tonne OCEAN MAJESTY glided into Oban Bay on Tuesday 24^th as part of Page and Moy’s “ Music and Gardens” cruise. The ship arrived from Dublin and, following a day in Oban, headed off to Kirkwall

The OCEAN MAJESTY, which flies the Greek flag was built in 1966 as a car ferry but converted to a cruise ship by her owners, Majesty International Cruises. She carries 621 passengers and 235 crew.

Also arriving in Oban this week was the 20,159 tonne ASTOR. She has sailed under several names including MS FEDOR DOSTOEVSKIY when under ownership of the Soviet Union. After leaving Oban she made her way to Ullapool.

will be followed by DELPHIN RENAISSANCE. The next vessel, PALOMA, is not due until the end of July.

Following comments by local people the fencing on the Railway Pier has been removed. This fence was put in place to meet with EC rules relating to overseas visitors.

Stormy weather conditions returned to the West Coast today (28/05). The Leverburgh-Berneray service was suspended until further notice, as were the Mallaig-Small Isles and Mallaig-Armadale services. The 0730 Lochmaddy-Uig service did not run.

Regular visitors to this site may notice a few changes as we leave the month of May. The pages have been chopped and changed presenting a more balanced appearance and perhaps running in a more logical sequence.

On the Subscriptions page a facility has been opened to allow potential members to print a membership form. Please click on “I would like to join The West Highland Steamer Club” for further information.

The Newsletter No 71 Photo Offer appears on the Newsletter page. Please click on “ Photo Offer” for details. Be aware that this offer is only valid until the end of May. It is posted on the site as an example of what the Club has to offer the Membership. When Newsletter No 72 is published in October 2005 the Photo Offer will be posted on the site with immediate effect.

The Administration has been upgraded to allow for images to be uploaded and also for links to be created. This may need a bit of fine tuning.