news

The Island Class ferry CANNA was launched thirty-one years ago, at the Port Glasgow yard of James Lamont & Company, on 31^st October 1975. Her yard number was 424.

Stormy weather conditions affected some ferry sailings on Tuesday 31^st. All sailings between Stornoway and Ullapool (ISLE OF LEWIS) were cancelled. CLANSMAN failed to dock at Coll on her scheduled sailing. She made another attempt while on passage to Barra and Lochboisdale. There was an extra sailing from Coll to Oban on Wednesday 1^st, which departed from Arinagour at 1230 and arrived in Oban at 1530.

CORUISK departed from Mallaig on Thursday 2^nd at 0600 and arrived in Rothesay at 1945. She was spotted passing Tobermory at 0835 and Port Askaig at 1300. She took up the main roster at 0630 on Friday 3^rd partnering BUTE on the Wemyss Bay – Rothesay route.

LOCH RIDDON unslipped from Ardmaleish on Thursday. She departed almost immediately for Colonsay where she spent the night. She then sailed for Iona to allow LOCH BUIE away for overhaul. She is due at Rothesay sometime on Monday 6^thafter spending Sunday night at Port Askaig. After her duties at Iona are finished LOCH RIDDON is expected to go to Tarbert for the Portavadie/Lochranza service for the rest of the winter period.

ISLE OF CUMBRAE swapped over with LOCH FYNE on the Fishnish – Lochaline route on Thursday. LOCH FYNE spent the night at Craignure. She is due to swap with LOCH DUNVEGAN at Colintraive today (04/11) after spending Friday night at Campbeltown.

ISLE OF ARRAN left Tobermory today enroute for Kennacraig where she will relieve HEBRIDEAN ISLES. She will depart for Greenock on Sunday night. She will be sharing the Garvel dry-dock with LOCH DUNVEGAN.

LORD OF THE ISLES arrived back at Oban on today. She will lay-up at Craignure or Tobermory until called up to provide cover for CLANSMAN or ISLE OF MULL.

CORUISK was relieved on the Rothesay run by JUNO this morning. She then sailed to Gourock to unload crew cars before heading to Roseneath where she will remain for a week while repairs are carried out.

LOCH FYNE arrived at Colintraive via Kilbrannan Sound and the Kyles of Bute at 1010 on Saturday 4^th. She berthed at both slipways using both ramps and unloaded crew cars.

Only LOCH DUNVEGAN has served on the Portavadie – Tarbert run while her sister has called at Tobermory, Lismore, Oban, Largs and Lochranza.

LOCH BUIE left Rothesay on Tuesday 7^th at 1020 for overhaul at Ardmaleish along with the other Mull ferry, LOCH LINNHE.

PENTALINA B (ex Caledonian MacBrayne vessel IONA) has been carrying twelve passengers since 31^st October when her Class VI Certificate expired.

CLAYMORE was docked for a survey at Aberdeen in October but required a lot of work before a Class IIa Certificate would be issued so she returned to the Dover – Dunkirk livestock service. Apparently she returned to Orkney on Friday 10^th but whether she has a valid Passenger Certificate is not known.

Following on from the report posted on Saturday 21^st October 2006 the Highland Region tender for the Fort William – Camusnagaul Ferry has been won by Sea Ventures Scotland (www.seaventuresscotland.com). The cruiser, RIVER GAUCHE, is operating the service. The Highland Region ferry, CALIN AN AISEAG, is on a trailer at the Corpach Boatbuilding Company.

Corran Ferry relief vessel, MAID OF GLENCOUL, is holding the fort while CORRAN is away to Troon for overhaul.

The Oban Passenger Terminal was the venue for the launch of a prestigious new book entitled The Kingdom of MacBrayne on Friday 10^th.

Written by Nick S Robins and Donald E Meek and published by Birlinn Limited, the book tells the story of David MacBrayne, his ships, his company, his predecessors and his successors.

The book tells of the introduction of steam ships, the success and failures, and their influence on the social fabric of the Highlands and Islands. A chapter is devoted to the steamships of Martin Orme and John McCallum.

Motor ships were introduced in the early 1900s and in 1928 the Company was revitalised by Coast Lines and the London Midland Scottish Railway. There then followed the rebuilding of the Company, from a mixture of cargo and passenger ships, to the fleet of modern car ferries of Caledonian MacBrayne, which serves the Highlands and Islands today. Donald’s favourite ship, CLAYMORE of 1955, is well documented.

The Kingdom of MacBrayne is well illustrated with drawings, paintings and photographs, many of them shown in this book for the first time. The front cover, painted by Gordon Bauwens, shows CLAYMORE (1955) arriving at Oban with KING GEORGE V in the background.

The book is written from two different perspectives. The wider development of British shipping is covered by Nick Robins while Donald Meek, born and brought up on Tiree, displays the Kingdom from the perspective of the Gaelic people although he does not attempt to cover the entire Hebrides.

Nick has written many books on the history of British shipping including Ferry Powerful: A history of the modern British diesel ferry, which was published in 2003.

Donald is Professor of Scottish and Gaelic Studies at the University of Edinburgh. He first made contact with Nick, having read and enjoyed his book Ferry Powerful. The result is this collaborative venture.

Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communications and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne, presented the event.

The book was formally launched by Baroness Michie of Gallanach. Before the launching, Baroness Michie paid a warm tribute to the management, staff and crew of Caledonian MacBrayne. While not dwelling on the subject, she referred to the tendering process currently underway and sincerely hoped that the Company would remain in its present form with all ferry services remaining intact.

It is perhaps fortunate, given the circumstances, that the weather took a turn for the worse on Friday. The assembled guests were treated to the spectacular sight of CLANSMAN moored, only a few yards away, at the newly extended pier built in preparation for the second linkspan.

Of course she should not have been there. At 1300 on Friday CLANSMAN should have been well on the way to Lochboisdale returning to Oban via Castlebay at 2230.

However the strong winds, which swept across the west coast throughout the weekend, meant that many ferry services were cancelled.

The cancellation of the services meant that the ship’s crews were on hand to serve wine and canapés. They were friendly, helpful and happy to exchange a few words with the guests.

The book, The Kingdom of MacBrayne, has already received excellent reviews. Indeed all the copies at the launch were snapped up. Such a lavish and important production requires a high profile event to mark its publication.

There is no doubt that, before long, The Kingdom of MacBrayne will be mentioned in the same breath as Duckworth and Langmuir’s West Highland Steamers and will be essential reading for shipping historians and enthusiasts alike.

Captain Norman W Martin, who was present at the launching of The Kingdom of MacBrayne, was chosen to represent the Merchant Navy at the Cenotaph, in London, on Remembrance Sunday.

Note: Captain Martin was in command of CLAYMORE for the Club’s 25^th Anniversary cruise from Kennacraig to Gourock in October 1992.

Caledonian MacBrayne has opened its summer reservations system for 2007; the earliest advance bookings have been made possible.

CalMac recently launched its 2007 Explore brochure, the company’s main leisure brochure and an essential planning guide for everyone interested in travelling to the twenty-two islands and four peninsulas in CalMac’s network.

This year, to help customers plan visits, new island itineraries for each area have been along with helpful CalMac Tips for what to see and do on and around the islands.

Work on the second phase of the new linkspan at Oban started on Monday 13^th and is expected to be finished, on schedule, by Easter 2007.

Phase one involved the construction of the realigned berth and was completed last winter. Work stopped during the summer to allow the port to operate as normal.

Caledonian MacBrayne will be keeping all users of the Railway Pier informed of progress, particularly with reference to the alterations that are being made.

Caledonian MacBrayne Crewing (Guernsey) Limited has launched its summer recruitment drive for 2007. The newly formed company supplies crew for CalMac Ferries Limited.

The company is looking for 120 staff who will be employed to meet CalMac Ferries service requirements during the summer season 2007.

The jobs on offer range from deck officers and deck ratings to engineering officers and catering ratings. They are seasonal positions and the successful applicants will be expected to have high standards of personal presentation and should be able to adapt to the wide range of tasks undertaken within the various departments.

Further information about the job opportunities is available on the CalMac website www.calmac.co.uk.

The Scottish Executive has not received any bids to run the ferry service between Gourock and Dunoon. Caledonian MacBrayne, the present operator of the route, has not put in a bid. Neither has Western Ferries, which operate the service between McInroys Point and Hunters Quay.

CalMac say they can’t run the route on a commercial basis, while Western Ferries are threatening to report the matter to Audit Scotland.

CalMac received a subsidy for passengers only. No subsidy was offered as part of the tender, however the Executive may be forced to consider a new subsidised service.

In a few weeks the remainder of CalMac’s Clyde and Hebridean services go out to tender in one bundle. A subsidy will be offered with this tender.

The Scottish Executive has re-assured the people of Dunoon that a ferry will still run to Gourock until the situation is resolved.

Lawrence MacDuff was the speaker at the Club meeting on Friday 24^th. In his talk entitled “ The Hopscotch Grand Tour” he described a journey around the Western Isles with his preserved MacBraynes bus, which is now forty years old.

Lawrence first became interested in the ships of David MacBrayne when he lived in Innellen as a boy during the early sixties. The sight of LOCHFYNE on her way to and from Ardrishaig aroused his in everything with a red and black funnel. When his family moved to Glasgow in 1966 he became more determined to travel among the Western Isles.

The appearance of a restored MacBraynes bus at a rally in Dunbar in 1983 led to the formation of the MacBraynes Circle, a group of bus enthusiasts with an interest in MacBraynes buses. Then a chance sighting of a familiar bus in Belfast in 1990 led to Lawrence and a friend, Robert Grieve, buying the bus. It turned out to be a former MacBraynes bus. Lawrence and Robert immediately set about restoring the bus a task which was completed in 1994.

It had always been Lawrence’s ambition to take his bus on a tour of the Western Isles from Islay to Lewis and back through Skye and Mull. In September 2005 he finally fulfilled that ambition.

Over the next two weeks Lawrence and his partner, Sarah, travelled from Kennacraig to Oban and then on to Barra, Eriskay, the Uists, Harris and Lewis. He then backtracked to Harris from where he crossed over to Skye the onwards to Morvern from where he crossed to his final island destination, Mull.

The trip was not without its difficulties. Lawrence had to find a suitable place to park the bus at night. They also slept on the bus, which was quite drafty and cold. The sound of rain clattering on the roof meant that sleep was somewhat fitful.

In an attempt to cover some of his costs, Lawrence approached Caledonian MacBrayne for sponsorship. This was not forthcoming as the company stated that such sponsorship was not in its commercial interest. He also found that many CalMac employees are not aware of the company’s ancestry. Nevertheless Lawrence soon found that the name of MacBrayne still means something to many people on the islands. He received a lot of goodwill and best wishes and the bus attracted a lot of interest.

Lawrence took a photo of the bus together with every ferry on which he travelled. This had it’s own difficulties. However, with the co-operation of the ship crews, he managed to achieve this task.

Next year is the Highland Year of Culture (www.highland2007.com), a series of events taking place at towns and villages throughout the Highlands and Islands. CalMac are taking part. Lawrence is hopeful that the MacBraynes Circle, of which he is a member, will also be able to participate in some of these events.

Lawrence was a genial and amusing speaker who, not only brought his Hebridean Tour to life, but also told those at the meeting a lot about himself and his background. His talk was well received and very much appreciated by the assembled members.

Newsletter No. 74 is being issued to members. It has been edited, as usual, by Derek Crawford based on information supplied by Ian MacCrorie. Robin Love has handled the technical side of production. Ian MacPherson, Ian Colquhoun, Cruising Monthly and the Clydesite and Ships of CalMac websites provided significant help. Many thanks to all concerned.

Robin sadly reported that Derek has taken ill again and will be out of circulation for the foreseeable future.

The next meeting, on December 15^th, is the joint meeting with the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society. This year it is the turn of the Club to host the meeting and chose the subject matter. The chosen subject is “Glasgow to the Isles by MacBrayne Cargo Steamers” presented by Iain Quinn.

The meeting takes place, as usual, in the Kirk Lounge, Renfield St Stephens Church Hall, Bath Street, Glasgow starting at 19.30.

HEBRIDEAN ISLES departed from Kennacraig at 2130 on the evening of Sunday 5^th and headed round to Greenock. ISLE OF ARRAN took over the Islay service with the 1300 sailing to Port Askaig.

ISLE OF LEWIS departed from Stornoway twenty minutes late on Thursday 9^th at 0735 due to delays in loading. She arrived in Ullapool at 1020 and left at 1100.

On Friday ISLE OF LEWIS did not sail until 1300 due to high winds. CLANSMAN did not sail (much to the surprise and delight of all those who attended the book launching event at the Passenger Terminal) and ISLE OF ARRAN diverted the 1800 sailing to Port Askaig instead of Port Ellen.

On Sunday 12^th weather conditions continued to affect ferry services throughout the Western Isles. The 1230 Ardmhor – Eriskay run (LOCH BHRUSDA) was cancelled. LOCH NEVIS attempted a Small Isles sailing but turned back to Mallaig. HEBRIDES lay stormbound at Lochmaddy.

LORD OF THE ISLES left Tobermory bound for Oban at 0745 on the morning of Tuesday 14^th. CLANSMAN was seen passing Tobermory at 0835 sailing much slower than usual.

ISLE OF MULL berthed overnight at Craignure on Wednesday. CLANSMAN occupied the spare berth while LORD OF THE ISLES lay at the linkspan. The next day she was spotted heading up the Sound of Mull en route to Coll and Tiree. On Friday 17^th LORD OF THE ISLES was sailing up the Sound at 1550 while CLANSMAN was no longer at Oban.

Sailings were disrupted the weather again on Sunday 19^th. ISLE OF ARRAN did not return to Kennacraig from Port Askaig at 1530. The Sound of Barra (LOCH BHRUSDA) and Sound of Harris (LOCH PORTAIN) runs faced disruptions and CLANSMAN failed to carry out her service to Castlebay and Lochboisdale.

ISLE OF ARRAN sailed from Port Askaig at 0430 on Monday morning. Her 0700 service was diverted to Port Askaig. She carried out the return sailing but remained stormbound at Port Askaig again in the afternoon. LOCH BHRUSDA was disrupted again and HEBRIDES ran to an amended timetable on the Uig – Tarbert – Lochmaddy route. ISLE OF LEWIS remained in Stornoway for the day. The Sconser – Raasay and Fionnphort – Iona runs were cancelled.

Another day of diversions and disruptions on Tuesday 21^st. ISLE OF ARRAN managed to return to Kennacraig at 1530. ISLE OF LEWIS missed the 1345 sailing from Stornoway. LOCH NEVIS missed her outward call at Rum but called on the way back from Canna.

The 1530 sailing from Oban to Castlebay and Lochboisdale was cancelled on Thursday 23^rd. LOCH NEVIS called at Rum on the outward leg of her service only. The Tayinloan – Gigha service was cancelled from 1430, as was the 1530 sailing from Port Askaig. ISLE OF ARRAN departed for Kennacraig at 0430 on Friday morning.

LOCH DUNVEGAN left the James Watt Dock on Friday and sailed for Colintraive where she relieved LOCH FYNE, which sailed for Largs before berthing overnight at Fairlie. The next day (Saturday 25^th) she sailed for Campbeltown where she spent the night before heading up to the Sound of Mull where she will relieve ISLE OF CUMBRAE.

ISLE OF MULL sailed south to Birkenhead for her overhaul. She passed through the Sound of Islay at 1840 and was spotted off Kintyre at 2015. LORD OF THE ISLES is deputising for her on the Oban – Craignure – Colonsay routes.

HEBRIDEAN ISLES left the James Watt Dock on Saturday morning for trials. She called at Gourock to load crew cars before heading for Port Ellen. In the event she ended up at Port Askaig due to the weather.

ISLE OF MULL arrived at Birkenhead on the morning of Sunday 26^th and went straight into dry-dock.

The 1800 sailing from Kennacraig was diverted to Port Askaig. The 0415 sailing on Monday 27^th will now depart from Port Askaig not Port Ellen.

Caledonian MacBrayne is now able to report back to the Mull Community Council on the in-depth customer survey conducted recently on Mull to assess customer’s perceptions of the services provided.

The survey was commissioned by CalMac following meetings held on the island when the Company was criticised for allegedly “pandering to tourists” and failing to put islanders interests first. The results are now to be reported to the Mull Community council at a meeting on the island provisionally scheduled for December 19^th.

The survey took place over a three-week period in October and involved a total of 527 respondents of which 151 were island residents. Regular commuters resident on the mainland made up 121 of those surveyed. A total of 255 tourists and holidaymakers were interviewed.

Calmat Managing Director Lawry Sinclair is delighted with co-operation received from island residents and tourists alike. The feedback has been useful and encouraging. It has come as no surprise to find that island residents want cheaper fares and more frequent ferries. It is significant that only 40% of Mull residents surveyed say that they had concerns about the service. This is in contrast to the concerns raised about the services, which has been presented in some areas.

However Mr Sinclair does admit that there is work to be done to raise the level of performance to match customer’s expectations onboard. He believes that CalMac can do that and is ready to meet the challenge.

The customer survey carried out on Mull by Caledonian MacBrayne has been described as “ misleading” by Mr Sandy Brunton, President of Mull and Iona Chamber of Commerce. Mr Brunton states that the survey fails to address any of the major issues raised at a “rowdy” meeting in Craignure.

Questions were asked about ticketing, pricing and timetables on these island routes yet CalMac asked questions about staff, facilities on board and other aspects of the general service.

“The population of people living and working on islands is under severe pressure because of ferry pricing. People can’t realistically commute to work, yet CalMac have failed to mention things like the five metre ruling in the survey. I can’t see what the point of this survey was,” said Mr Brunton.

Mr James Hilder, Development Manager of Mull and Iona Community Trust said: “ I am saddened that CalMac have chosen to put a spin on these figures in advance of the agreed meeting with the community council”.

LOCH RIDDON berthed overnight at Mallaig on Monday 27^th while en route to Sconser to relieve LOCH STRIVEN for overhaul. She berthed at the Loch Nevis Berth as LOCH NEVIS was berthed at the linkspan.

Strong winds which swept over the Western Isles from Monday 27^th until Thursday 30^th disrupted ferry services throughout the CalMac network.

Among the routes affected were Kennacraig – Islay, Oban – Castlebay – Lochboisdale and Oban – Coll – Tiree, Fionnphort – Iona, Sconser – Raasay and Ullapool – Stornoway.