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Paddle steamer WAVERLEY set out for her annual trip to the Western Isles at 0700 on Friday April 28^th en route for Oban where she was scheduled to arrive at 2030.

She was due to call at Greenock, Campbeltown and Port Ellen. However, having safely sailed round the Mull, her call at the Islay port was cancelled due to weather conditions.

This writer was one of many passengers who boarded WAVERLEY on a bright and sunny Saturday at Oban’s North Pier. We were going to Tiree, repeating the successful trip undertaken by the ship in 2004.

We were a bit late in leaving due to the late arrival of the buses from Glasgow.

Although the skies clouded over the rain stayed away and we headed up the Sound of Mull into a cold wind forcing many passengers to wrap up well.

A good crowd embarked at Tobermory and WAVERLEY sailed away with over 650 passengers on board.

Shortly after leaving Tobermory we passed the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry CLANSMAN inward bound from Coll and Tiree. She greeted us with a blast of her horn to which WAVERLEY instantly responded

Our arrival and departure at Tiree was hampered by an exceptionally low tide. Passengers were given the opportunity of a bus trip around the island. Having taken advantage of this on WAVERLEY’s previous cruise to Tiree, the writer decided to give it a miss and have an amble around Scarinish, the main village on the island, which is a ten minute walk from the pier.

We departed from Tiree fifteen minutes late at 1545. The sight of the Northern Lighthouse Board ship, POLE STAR, arriving at the pier as we departed was a bonus for ship enthusiasts on board.

Due to the late departure we did not go as close to the Treshnish Isles as we would have liked. However everyone remained in high spirits and enjoyed the run back to Tobermory and Oban.

As we sailed back into the Sound of Mull the cloud lifted and we arrived in Oban in the bright evening sunshine.

It turned out that WAVERLEY was not the only vessel that recorded good business on Saturday. The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry ISLE OF MULL left fourteen cars behind as she departed from Oban on the 1600 service to Craignure.

The Four Lochs and Corryvreckan Whirlpool cruise was on Sunday 30^th. WAVERLEY departed from Oban at 0700 for the early run up to Fort William before returning at 1215 for the afternoon cruise. She left Oban again with 350 passengers on board.

As has become customary staff from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute were on board on Sunday. The passengers on board WAVERLEY donated a total of £866. This is believed to be the largest amount ever collected on the paddle steamer by RNLI Oban. (The Oban Times).

She departed from Oban on Monday bound for the Sacred Isle of Iona. However due to the weather she was unable to transfer her passengers to the small boats, which would convey them to the island.

Being unable to find a safe anchorage, WAVERLEY sailed back round the south of Mull and sailed past Duart and Torosay Castles. She then headed up into Loch Linnhe as far north as Loch a’ Choire, sailed across to Appin before heading through the Lynn of Lorn and back to Oban where she arrived at 1920.

Shipping services throughout the Western Isles were disrupted due to the weather on Tuesday 2^nd, the day on which WAVERLEY was due to sail back to the Clyde.

Instead she gave a substitute cruise to Tobermory but was unable to berth. She then turned around and, again, sailed up Loch Linnhe, round Lismore and back to Oban where she remained overnight.

WAVERLEY eventually departed from Oban at 0810 on Thursday 4^th and arrived back at Greenock at 1735.

Many thanks to Ian Somerville for his assistance with additional information.

An official enquiry into a 16-hour ferry journey has said that the captain of the MUIRNEAG was unprepared for the stormy weather, which was forecast for 11^th November 2005.

The investigation by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found that although the captain of the freight ferry was aware of the storm in the Minch he still decided to make the crossing between Ullapool and Stornoway.

Following the incident Western Isles Council wrote to Caledonian MacBrayne claiming islanders were worried about using MUIRNEAG. The company replied saying that there is nothing wrong with the vessel, which is leased by CalMac.

Caledonian MacBrayne has launched its new Travel Trade rates for the 2007/08 seasons. The new rates are the centrepiece of a new brochure for the Travel Trade, which was launched at the Visit Scotland Expo at the SECC in Glasgow.

The new rates have been simplified and provide coach operators with an all-inclusive fares structure, which includes the cost of the vehicle, the driver and all passengers.

The Clyde and Hebridean islands offer something for everyone-stunning wildlife, ancient buildings and breathtaking scenery. The Travel Trade brochure offers a variety of itineraries highlighting exciting tours, such as “Magical Mull and Morvern” and “Arran-Scotland in Minature”, with respective maps for coach and tour operators.

In addition to the new brochure, travel trade operators will have access to a new section on CalMac’s website, featuring the 2007-08 rates, suggested itineraries and booking information, as well as links to timetables.

Following up on the report about NEPTUNE’S LADY posted on 10^th December 2005, an Ayrshire entrepreneur is attempting to convert the ship to a bar and restaurant with a view to berthing her in Ayr Harbour.

CANNA completed her sea trials with Lloyds at Corpach at 1030 on Friday 5^th May. She then headed for Craighouse, Jura.

CANNA was due to swap places with RAASAY on the Rathlin service at midday on Saturday 6^th.

Due to the weather she berthed overnight at Kennacraig where she arrived at 2000. She departed from Kennacraig at 0700 bound for Rathlin where she arrived at 1200.

RAASAY departed from Rathlin at 1300 bound for Campbeltown where she arrived at 1830. On Sunday morning she set out again bound for Rosneath.

MUIRNEAG returned to Stornoway on Wednesday 3^rd May having completed her refit. It took her three hours to enter the harbour due to weather conditions outside the bay.

ISLE OF ARRAN headed back to the Clyde where she arrived on Thursday morning. She entered the James Watt Dock stern first.

LOCH TARBERT appeared to be carrying out a test on the afternoon of Sunday 7^th.While en route from Lochranza to Claonaig she spun 180 degrees and then carried on.

LOCH TARBERT has a new skipper. Gavin Crawford of Machrie, Arran, who has served on the vessel for a few years, is now the newly qualified skipper of the Lochranza – Claonaig ferry (The Oban Times).

ISLE OF LEWIS carried out a lifeboat evacuation drill while en route from Ullapool to Stornoway on the morning of Tuesday 9^th.

The Sound of Harris service was disrupted by thick fog on the morning of Thursday 11^th.

Caledonian MacBrayne teamed up with the artist, John Lowrie Morrison as an exhibition of his paintings was held on board ISLE OF MULL on Friday 12^th. Passengers were able to view his work on board the ship as she cruised from Oban to Colonsay (Caledonian MacBrayne). LORD OF THE ISLES carried out the Craignure sailings.

LORD OF THE ISLES launched her Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) in the Sound of Mull as part of a lifeboat drill on Saturday 13^th delaying her arrival at Oban by thirty minutes.

LORD OF THE ISLES had to use her hoist at Colonsay on Sunday 14^th as the linkspan was out of action. The wires are being replaced.

CLANSMAN called at Craignure en route to Castlebay on Sunday afternoon for unknown reasons.

Also on Sunday EIGG carried out a lifeboat drill while at her berth in Oban.

Caledonian MacBrayne launched its 2006 TV advertising campaign on Monday 15^th. The advert will run for seven weeks on STV and Channel 4 Scotland.

The advert encourages viewers to have a “ Caledonian MacBraynewave” and swap commuter life for a break among the Clyde and Hebridean islands. Press advertising in certain Scottish newspapers until the end of June, and a new radio advert, which can be heard on Real Radio until June 18th, support the TV advert.

Viewers, listeners and readers are encouraged to visits CalMac’s website, www.calmac.co.uk, which has been updated to support the campaign.

The cruise ship HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS (www.hebridean.co.uk) called at Port Ellen on Tuesday 16^th. She was formerly the Caledonian MacBrayne vessel, COLUMBA.

Due to the weather the Barra – Eriskay and Leverburgh – Berneray services were subject to disruption on Thursday 18^th.

The two-ship service to Islay is now well under way although HEBRIDEAN ISLES was out of service for maintenance on Thursday.

Passenger numbers on the Iona ferry, LOCH BUIE, have been reduced to 150. She is not carrying any extra crew during the summer season, which would allow her to carry her full complement.

Already not all passengers are getting back to Craignure in time for the ferry to Oban.

It is now seven years since a ferry linked Campbeltown with Ballycastle, Northern Ireland. Once again we hear the familiar story-too late for this year, maybe next year.

The Scottish Executive has revealed that they expect to go through with the tendering process again despite no bidders coming forward to run the service. That process could take seven months to complete, meaning that the earliest start date would be November even if a suitable company were chosen to run the service.

It is unlikely that any company would choose to start the service in winter.

Local company, Dalriada Shipping put in a bid but did not meet the qualifying criteria because it was a newly formed company and could not provide the information sought by the Scottish Executive.

This time they are making a joint bid with Pentland Ferries (www.pentlandferries.co.uk), which is operating a successful ferry service between Gills Bay on the Scottish mainland and St Margaret’s Hope on the Orkney island of South Ronaldsay.

They plan to use the former Caledonian MacBrayne vessel CLAYMORE, the same vessel used on the route when it ran in the 1990s.

The Tobermory lifeboat was out of action for a short period after she was struck by the cruise ship, HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS, while berthing at Tobermory Pier.

The lifeboat, ELIZABETH FAIRLIE RAMSEY, received damage on both port and starboard fenders when the stern of the cruise ship hit her, as she lay at her berth adjacent to the pier.

Hebridean Island Cruises will pay for the damage under its own insurance, which is already being organised.

HM The Queen is due to travel on HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS this summer as part of her eightieth birthday celebrations. Her cruise will finish in Aberdeen from where she will travel to Balmoral Castle.

The A3 size leaflet, produced by Berneray Development Group, is designed to encourage tourists to the island and particularly focuses on environmental tourism.

Berneray is connected to North Uist by a causeway and is the southern terminus of the Sound of Harris ferry.

Western Ferries (www.western-ferries.co.uk) is pulling out of the tendering process for the Clyde and Western Isles ferry services because it believes the process is unfairly weighted towards Caledonian MacBrayne.

The Scottish Executive, however, insists the tendering process is being conducted in a “fair and transparent manner”.

Mr Gordon Ross, the managing director of Western Ferries, said that it was a difficult decision to make as they had been providing a community-focused service between Gourock and Dunoon on a commercial basis for over thirty years. It was this approach that they were hoping to deliver to the communities up and down the west coast of Scotland.

Since Caledonian MacBrayne has been awarded the contract for the Northern Isles service, despite its involvement in the massive overspend over the first contract, Western Ferries has lost confidence in the fairness and transparency of the tendering process.

The move leaves only CalMac and V Ships in the running to tender for the west coast ferry routes.

Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, has announced the appointment of three new non-executive directors to the board of Caledonian MacBrayne.

Mr Lorne MacLeod, who lives in Oban, is a chartered accountant and independent business consultant. He is also a director of the Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust.

Mr Ian Gillies is estate factor on the Island of Tiree for the Duke of Argyll’s estate and Argyll and Bute councillor for Tiree and Coll. He is a past chairman of the Shipping Services Advisory Committee (South) with which CalMac consults on operational matters such as timetables.

Mr Gillies has a good local knowledge of the issues affecting the role played by CalMac in operating lifeline services to the island communities.

Mr McGibbon is an accountant and independent business consultant who has worked in both public and private sectors.

Mr Alex McDonald, who lives in Stornoway, and Mr Peter Timms, who lives on Bute have been re-appointed for another three years as non-executive directors.

HEBRIDEAN ISLES left Kennacraig twenty minutes late yesterday (29/05) due a booked vehicle turning up late.

ISLE OF LEWIS left Stornoway over an hour late this morning due to a technical hitch.

Tomorrow, (30/05), there will be a 0810 sailing from Mallaig to Armadale and a 0850 return, which will operate as a passenger only service. The 1615/1800 sailings will operate as per timetable but Caledonian MacBrayne will advise at the time whether they will be passenger only or conveying vehicles.

Caledonian MacBrayne will open the first floor of the new Oban Passenger Terminal with an exhibition of photographs from the Western Isles in conjunction with the photographer, Brian Hindmarch.

The exhibition is entitled “ Elements of the Western Isles” and features images from the Inner and Outer Hebrides and will be open to the public from Monday May 29^th until Sunday June 25^th.

A wide range of images are on display including Islay, Tiree, Colonsay, Coll, Barra, Harris and Lewis.

Kenny Boyd, the Port Manager at Oban, said “ This is an innovative use of the terminal and its facilities, providing stunning views across the Sound of Mull, and is open to anyone travelling or with time to spare in Oban”.

There are print editions for sale, in a range of sizes with details of prices and availability at the terminal and can also be found on his website.

The Jacobite Steam Train, which runs between Fort William and Mallaig, opened it’s 23^rd season of regular steam trains on The West Highland Line Extension yesterday.

Principal steam locomotives for the 2006 season will be LNER B1 No. 61264, K1 No.62005 and LMS Black 5 No. 45407.

The service operates from Monday to Friday 13^th October throughout the season and on Sunday from 23^rd July to 27^th August inclusive.

The railway, which opened in 1901, took four years to build and is forty-two miles long. The line runs through eleven tunnels and crosses the magnificent twenty-one arch Glenfinnan Viaduct.The use of concrete was pioneered in the construction of the viaducts on the line giving the builder and designer, Sir Robert MacAlpine, the nickname “ Concrete Bob”.

Glenfinnan Station has been restored and turned into a museum and shop. A footpath leads from the station to a viewing point overlooking the viaduct.

Shortly after leaving Fort William, which lies beneath Ben Nevis, the line crosses the Caledonian Canal. Floodlighting now enhances Neptunes Staircase, the flight of locks rising from sea level at Banavie. After running alongside Loch Eil the line climbs high into the mountains.

At the other end of the line the views look over the sands of Arisaig and Morar towards the Small Isles of Muck, Eigg, Rum and Canna. The Sgurr of Eigg is prominent on the horizon.

After arriving at Mallaig the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry awaits to tempt the traveller across to the Isle of Skye.

The Friends of the West Highland Lines (FWHL) is an organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of facilities and services on the West Highland Lines (WHL) from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

The FWHL publish a tri-annual magazine, which includes news about the WHL, past and present, and the First ScotRail Network. The magazine also spotlights CalMac news and features include contributions from members.

The annual subscription is £12.00 for single members and £18.00 for family members. For details on how to join the FWHL contact the writer at the email address at the foot of the page.

Caledonian MacBrayne are presently experiencing problems with CORUISK on the Mallaig – Armadale run. LOCH NEVIS is deputising hence the restriction on vehicle numbers being carried.

Depart Mallaig 0810 Depart Armadale 0850. Depart Mallaig 1800 Depart Armadale 1840.

On Thursday 1^st June the following timetable will operate between Mallaig and Armadale:

Vehicle space will be restricted on these sailings. No coaches will be carried.

Captain Archie MacQueen, known throughout the Highlands and Islands as “ Archie Mor”, passed away at Portree Hospital on April 6^th 2006 following several months of declining health.

Born on 1^st July 1925 at Lonfern, Staffin, Isle of Skye, Archie was the oldest of four children.

Archie left Skye at the age of fifteen to work as a gillie at King’s House, Glencoe. However his chosen career favoured the sea rather than the land beginning with David MacBrayne’s and ending with Caledonian MacBrayne, a company in whose welfare he always retained a deep interest.

On March 30^th 1943 Archie joined David MacBrayne’s as a galley boy and worked in the Catering Department until December 1945, displaying the characteristics of diligence and commitment, which were to be evident throughout his long career.

Archie transferred to the deck department on December 3^rd 1945 signing on as a seaman on NEW FAWN, a ship on charter to MacBrayne’s.

Following on from that signing Archie began studying for the tickets required to become a ship’s officer.

He worked for the Lighthouse Service as an able seaman from May 1948 until November 1950.

After achieving his Master’s certificate in August 1954, Archie returned to MacBrayne’s as 2^nd Mate on board LOCH CARRON. Archie’s Discharge Books contain memories of many well-known vessels, once familiar around the west coast of Scotland. Archie served on LOCHMOR, LOCH EARN, CLAYMORE, LOCH ARKAIG and LOCH SEAFORTH, which he joined as 1^st Mate on November 1960.

However it was with HEBRIDES and HEBRIDEAN ISLES with which Archie became so well known among the islands.

Archie first sailed on board HEBRIDES in May1969 and spent almost the rest of his career as 1^st Mate or as Master on her or her replacement, HEBRIDEAN ISLES, which entered service on the Uig triangle in May 1986.

Archie was typical of a Master who rose to meet whatever challenges modern technology could provide. Her bridge quickly became his home, showing pride and enthusiasm for his new ship.

Archie was always aware of the safety of his passengers and crew and strove to provide the best service possible. He was happy to spend time with the passengers who became engrossed in conversation with a born raconteur. He was a man with a great interest in people and has left behind a wealth of interesting and amusing stories of his career and of the many characters he met.

Archie retired in 1987 and devoted his time and attention to his croft at Lonfern having never forgotten his roots or the crofting way of life into which he was born.

A big man with a big heart, Archie MacQueen was a true Highland gentleman whom it was a pleasure and privilege to know.