29/05/09.

 

The Oban - Castlebay - Oban sailing today was cancelled for technical reasons. CLANSMAN turned back to Oban while en route to Coll and Tiree as detailed below.

The next sailing from Oban to Barra will be tomorrow at 15.40 and from Barra to Oban on Sunday 31^st  at 09.20.

The 08.15 from Oban to Lochboisdale tomorrow will be delayed until approximately 13.00.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

CLANSMAN turned back to Oban today having failed to berth at  Coll and Tiree.

A repair will be carried out to the vessel this afternoon and will then sail to the two islands at approximately 22.00 tonight.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

WAVERLEY set sail from the Clyde today for her annual sojourn among the Western Isles with a healthy number of passengers on board. However, her call at Port Ellen was cancelled due to a heavy swell.

Source: Stuart McMahon, Clydesite.

 

 

25/05/09.

 

Due to technical problems a reduced service is currently operating between Kennacraig and Islay. The following sailings have been amended or cancelled:

The 18.00 sailing from Port Ellen today will be delayed and will now sail at 20.00 from Port Askaig.  Tomorrow the 07.00 sailing from Port Askaig has been cancelled.

The 09.45 sailing from Kennacraig tomorrow and the 18.00hrs sailing from Port Ellen also tomorrow will be advised as soon we have up to date information and may be liable to cancellation.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

Sailings between Ullapool and Stornoway were running two hours late today due to technical problems.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

 

22/05/09

 

LOCHNEVIS sailed away to pastures new on Sunday 10^th when she departed from Mallaig at 09.00 bound for Lochboisdale with a lorry on board.

Source: Walter Bowie and David Livingston, Scotships.

 

 

20/05/09.

 

The Berneray - Leverburgh service (LOCH PORTAIN) will be disrupted or delayed due to tidal conditions.

On Sunday 24^th  the 13.00 departing from  Berneray and the 14.10 from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There is an additional sailing at 14.00 from Berneray and 15.05 from Leverburgh.

On Monday 25^th  the 13.30 from Berneray and the 14.45 from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There is an additional sailing at 15.00 from Berneray and 16.00 from Leverburgh.

On Tuesday 26^th  the 13.30 from Berneray and the 14.45 from Leverburgh have been cancelled. There are no additional sailings on this day.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk     

 

Due to technical reasons, sailings between Ullapool and Stornoway(ISLE OF LEWIS) may be liable to delay this week. Please contact port of departure for information.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

 

18/05/09.

 

Many thanks to Alistair Forsyth for the information.

 

It is with sadness that we heard at lunchtime today of the death yesterday of

Ian L.Mclean who many will remember as General Manager of Caledonian MacBrayne.

He worked all his life with the organisation, starting with David MacBrayne in Glasgow in the famous offices in Robertson Street. After the Company was taken under the Scottish Transport Group umbrella, he moved from there to MacBrayne Haulage at Blochairn Road, before some years later transferring to Caledonian MacBrayne at The Ferry Terminal in Gourock, where he was General Manager until his retiral some nineteen years ago.

He represented the Company at various exhibitions and Travel Trade Fairs (he was always a great ambassador for the Company) and even on Exibus.He even represented Caledonian MacBrayne as a partner of the Scottish Tourist Board on more than one occasion in Japan!

Mr McLean had been in poor health for some years, but we are sure many will share in the sadness of hearing of his passing.

Mr McLean addressed the Club some years ago, possibly during the Presidency of Mr Gordon Law.

Source: Walter Bowie, Scotships. Additional information from Gordon Law.

 

 

17/05/09.

 

 

CALMAC MEET WITH COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES FOLLOWING LEGAL COMPLAINT

 

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne today (Thursday, May 14,) met with community representatives to advise them of recent developments regarding ferry services on the Western Isles.

 

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has said Sunday sailings from Lewis
and Harris on the Western Isles and the mainland are now "inevitable".
The company has been told it would be unlawful to refuse to run a
service because of the religious views of just part of a community.
Pro-sailings campaigners sought advice from the Equality and Human
Rights Commission.
Those opposed to services on the Sabbath have vowed to fight the move.
After seeking its own legal opinion, CalMac said its advisers warned it
would be unlawful to refuse running a service on account of the beliefs
of a section of the community.
Company officials said consultation will start soon on "when" and not
"if" the sailings go-ahead.
CalMac said timetables would not be published until a consultation
process was completed and the company's board had formally approved any
Sunday sailings between Lewis and Harris and Skye and the mainland.
Last March, the ferry operator said it would not embark on controversial
plans for Sunday sailings to Lewis in the immediate future.
Its board discussed the issue, but postponed taking any decision until
the details of a road equivalent tariff (RET) pilot had been agreed.
The Scottish Government is now running a trial of RET on routes to the
Western Isles.
The pilot links ferry prices to the cost of travelling the same distance
by road.
At that time 4,000 residents of Lewis and Harris had signed a petition
against Sunday sailings.
A counter petition backing a Sunday service between Stornoway, on the
traditionally Presbyterian isle, and Ullapool on the mainland had also
attracted large support.
Supporters have said an extended service will bring social and economic
benefits to the island and that Sunday travel should be a matter of
individual choice.
A seven-day service between neighbouring Harris and North Uist began
last year despite local protests.
Source: BBC Scotland News per Gary Andrews, Ferries of Northern Europe.

 

West coast MP Alan Reid is demanding urgent investment into Caledonian MacBrayne’s aging ferry fleet.

The MP was speaking after a leading transport consultant, Paul Finch, claimed the ships were under funded.

Mr Reid said; “The last ferry review had recommended replacing one ferry a year, yet the Scottish Government has only got plans for the Islay ferry to be replaced in 2011.

“ CalMac’s aging fleet will not be able to deliver the service that our island communities so urgently require.

Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 14^th May.

 

07/05/09.

 

CLANSMAN departed from Oban bound for Coll, Tiree and Barra at 08.30 as per timetable today. Despite the weather conditions she successfully called at Coll and Tiree before heading out to Barra.

She sailed back to Oban straight from Barra, missing out the return call at Coll and Tiree. Approximate time of arrival back at Oban was 21.30.

The 15.40 sailing from Oban to South Uist was cancelled (LORD OF THE ISLES). The next sailing will be tomorrow at 13.40. Timings will be as follows: arrive Barra 18.30, depart Barra 18.45, arrive South Uist 20.15, depart South Uist 20.25 arrive Oban, on Saturday 9^th, at 01.15.

The 11.50 sailing from Tarbert to Uig and the 18.00 from Uig back to Tarbert were cancelled (HEBRIDES). Sailings tomorrow will be as per timetable, weather permitting.

Tonight’s 18.00 sailing from Kennacraig to Port Ellen diverted to Port Askaig (HEBRIDEAN ISLES/ISLE OF ARRAN).

Sailings between Barra and Eriskay (LOCH ALAINN) were cancelled today, as were sailings between Berneray and Leverburgh (LOCH PORTAIN). All sailings should be back to normal tomorrow, weather permitting.

ISLE OF LEWIS departed from Stornoway at 12.45. She was due to return to Stornoway at 17.35 as per timetable, weather permitting.

The Small Isles service from Mallaig (LOCHNEVIS) may face disruptions tomorrow.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne.  www.calmac.co.uk

 

 

06/05/09.

 

Caledonian MacBrayne are advising their customers that sailings from Oban to Coll, Tiree, Barra and South Uist may be disrupted by the weather over the next twenty-four hours.

The service between Mallaig and Armadale (CORUISK) may also face disruptions for the same reason. 

The freight service between Stornoway and Ullapool is cancelled tonight due to the adverse weather conditions (MUIRNEAG).

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

LORD OF THE ISLES was also involved in assisting the Coastguard on Sunday 3^rd.

Both LOTI and LOCH LINHHE were requested to provide lee to the Tobermory lifeboat while she assisted a dive vessel (see also the Lifeboat account below). LOTI
readied her fast lifeboat with a doctor onboard to provide further
assistance, but that was not actually required. LOTI was delayed for around
twenty-five minutes from 10.30 to 10.55, although she had recovered her schedule by
the time she arrived back at Oban at 16.30.
 
Tobermory lifeboat service report:
The lifeboat was called to an emergency involving an unconscious diver in
the Bloody Bay area at the north end of the Sound. The man was recovered to
the lifeboat and transferred to Oban hospital by lifeboat and helicopter,
where medical care continued. Other local vessels, including one with a
doctor onboard, provided assistance in the rescue.
 
These events followed two other diving incidents in the Sound of Mull this
week – a fatality on Wednesday 29^th April, and a search for another diver
on Friday 1^st May. That diver is still missing.

 

Many thanks to Stuart Nicholson, who was on board LORD OF THE ISLES, for the information.

 

 

05/05/09.

 

The Kennacraig - Islay service is facing timetable alterations for technical reasons.

The following sailings have been withdrawn:

Thursday 7^th   07.00 & 18.00 from Port Ellen and 09.45 from Kennacraig.

Friday 8^th  07.00 from Port Ellen.

There will be a sailing from Port Ellen at 04.15 on Thursday 7^th and Friday 8^th .

The timetable will operate as follows :

Thursday 7^th  04.15 Port Ellen - Kennacraig, 07.00 Kennacraig - Port Ellen, 09.45 Port Ellen - Kennacraig, 13.00 Kennacraig - Port Askaig, 15.30 Port Askaig - Kennacraig, 18.00 Kennacraig - Port Ellen.

Friday 8^th  04.15 Port Ellen - Kennacraig and thereafter the normal timetabled service will resume. Caledonian  MacBrayne apologises for this necessary alteration to the timetable.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk 

 

 

03/05/09.

 

The Tobermory - Kilchoan  service (LOCH LINNHE) was delayed due to the crew assisting the Coastguard. The service resumed at 12.22 and is running twenty minutes late.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

 

02/05/09.

 

An Islay councillor has called on Argyll and Bute Council to press the case for the money to upgrade Port Ellen Pier to be released by the Scottish Government.

Following the revelation in March that the new £24 million ferry, being built in Poland, would not be able to operate at Port Ellen, Councillor Robin Curry has been lobbying hard for the pier to be redeveloped.

He told members of the executive committee last week: “ There will be a new boat by 2011 but it will not fit the harbour at Port Ellen.

“ We were told by CMAL [Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd] that in order for them to be able to do that, they would need a decision on money by August or September this year.

Islands spokesman Len Scoullar said: “ I had a long conversation with Guy Platten, the managing director of CMAL, and he said they were actively pursuing the money to develop Port Ellen Pier and it is a priority for them”.

But transportation spokesman Councillor Duncan Macintyre said: “ As far as I understand no decision will be made until the conclusion of the national ferries review, otherwise the review would be useless”.

Andrew Flockhart of CMAL, which owns the infrastructure and ferries used by CalMac ferry services which would operate the new ferry, confirmed the funding would be in place by August or September in order for the pier to be redeveloped in time for the arrival of the new ferry.

Coincidentally it is also when the ferries review is due for completion.

Mr Flockhart said: “We are pushing ahead, putting together the business case, which the Scottish Government now has, and moving ahead with the detailed design and surveys and the bits that we can do, so that should the money become available we would be ready to go ahead.

Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson recently told the Scottish Parliament following questions from Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie McGrigor, that it would cost between £10-£16 million to upgrade Port Ellen, if a new marshalling area for vehicles and ferry terminal was included.

“ The new vessel will be larger and more manoeuvrable than the existing Islay vessels. This is expected to improve the reliability of the service to Port Askaig in bad weather. The second vessel that would be deployed would still be able to use the Port Ellen berth, so that the impact of the new vessel not being able to be accommodated at Port Ellen should not be significant,” said Mr Stevenson.

Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 30^th April.

 

Former ferry and now luxury cruise ship the Hebridean Princess has been bought by All Leisure Group plc.

Hebridean International Cruises, which operated the exclusive cruises by the Hebridean Princess around Scotland’s shores out of Oban, went into administration three weeks ago.

Administrators Ernst and Young continued to operate the ship while negotiations were carried out to find an appropriate buyer.

All Leisure has said it is keen to ensure the ship will continue to offer distinctive cruises around the Scottish Highlands and through the Norwegian fiords.

Roger Allard, chairman of All Leisure Group, which also operates Swan Hellenic and Voyages of Discovery, said: “ We have been looking to expand our specialist small ship cruise fleet and I welcome Hebridean Princess into our group, enabling us to expand our range of special interest destination cruise holidays.

“ We recognise that the captain and crew of Hebridean Princess, along with the long-serving and dedicated office staff at Skipton, provide a unique cruising experience, which is cherished by her loyal following”.

Hebridean Princess’s sister cruise ship, Hebridean Spirit, has already been sold to a private individual, leaving those who have booked and paid for Mediterranean cruises out of pocket.

Source: The Oban Times, Thursday 30^th.

 

The cruise ship HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS is due to call at the following ports and islands among the Western Isles during the month of May.

Oban 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th. Eriskay 1^st, East Loch Tarbert 2^nd, 22^nd, Portree 3^rd, Kyle of Lochalsh 4^th, 11^th, Mallaig 5^th, Kilchoan 6^th, Eigg 8^th, 19th, Loch Harport 9^th, Uig 10^th, Muck 12^th, 25th, Tiree 13^th, 30th, Coll 15^th, Pabbay 16^th, 24th, Barra 17^th, 31st, Shiant Isles 18^th, 23rd, Tobermory 20^th, Iona 26^th, Jura 27^th, Colonsay 29^th.

Source: Ships Monthly. www.shipsmonthly.com

 

Today’s call at Muck by LOCH NEVIS was in doubt due to weather related reasons.

She was timetabled to make her first call at 11.50 returning at 16.25.

Source: Caledonian MacBrayne. www.calmac.co.uk

 

Following the discovery that part of her boilers required replacement, WAVERLEY’s Western Isles cruises have been postponed until Friday 29^th May when she will leave Glasgow at 07.00 bound for Oban where she is due to arrive at 20.30.

The paddler’s boilers are going through a midlife survey. An extended refit is also required.

WAVERLEY will return to the Clyde on Tuesday 2^nd June when she departs from Oban at 09.00 bound for Ayr where she is expected to arrive at 20.00.

 

Glasgow 07.00

Greenock 08.40

Campbeltown 12.30

Port Ellen 15.30/16.00

Oban 20.30

Campbeltown c arr 22.30

Glasgow c arr 23.00

Glasgow c dep 07.00

Oban 10.00

Tobermory 12.00

Armadale 14.45

Inverie 15.30/16.00

Armadale 16.45

Tobermory 19.30

Oban 21.30

Glasgow c arr 00.00

Oban 07.00

Glasgow c dep 09.30

Fort William 10.00

Oban 12.15

Oban sb 17.30

Glasgow c arr 20.00

Fort William 19.45

Oban 22.00

Glasgow c dep 07.00

Oban 10.00

Tobermory 12.00

Tiree 14.15

Tiree 15.15/15.30

Tobermory 17.45

Oban 19.30

Glasgow c arr 22.00

Oban 09.00

Port Ellen 13.30/14.00

Campbeltown 17.30

Oban c arr 21.30

Ayr 20.00

c-coach. sb-show boat cruise.

 

Source: Paddle Steamer Preservation Society Scottish Branch. http://pspsscotland.blogspot.com

 

A coach and cruise outing has been arranged for Saturday 25^th July 2009      through the good offices of Lawrence Macduff and using his preserved MacBrayne AEC coach. The outing will be subject to a minimum of 15 passengers.

 

The itinerary is as follows: -

 

Leave             Gourock  (Station Car Park) 09.45 PROMPT

Depart            Wemyss Bay 11.00

Arrive              Rothesay 11.35      

 

Coach tour round Bute with stops at Ettrick Bay and the Kingarth hotel, Kilchattan Bay, where bar meals are available. It is hoped that the coach may be at Rothesay for the arrival of Waverley and also that pictures may be available in the Kyles.

 

Depart             Rhubodach 15.40    

Leave             Colintraive 16.00     

Depart             Dunoon 17.50          

Arrive              Gourock 18.13        

 

The fare for the round trip excluding food will be £20.00. There is no reduction for children.

 

Bookings should be made to Robin Love, 29 Cyprus Avenue, Elderslie, Renfrewshire, PA5 9NB, stating the number of tickets required and enclosing a stamped addressed envelope.

Cheques should be made payable to the West Highland Steamer Club.

Robin Love.