Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services
The Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services are currently operated by CalMac Ferries Limited. CalMac Ferries Ltd were successful in securing the contract to operate the services from October 2007 through to September 2013. The network conveys passengers, cars and commercial vehicles on 28 routes sailing to destinations off Scotland's west coast.
A copy of the Public Service Contract between Scottish Ministers and CalMac Ferries Ltd can be viewed here.
The routes operated by CalMac Ferries Limited are :-
OUTER HEBRIDES Ullapool - Stornoway Uig - Lochmaddy Uig - Tarbet Oban - Castlebay Oban - Lochboisdale Leverburgh - Berneray (Sound of Harris) Barra - Eriskay (Sound of Barra) | SKYE, RAASAY AND THE SMALL ISLES Sconser - Raasay Mallaig - Armadale Mallaig - Small Isles (Canna, Eigg. Muck and Rum) |
INNER HEBRIDES Oban - Craignure Lochaline - Fishnish Fionphort - Iona Tobermory -Kilchoan Oban - Lismore Oban - Coll - Tiree | THE SOUTHERN HEBRIDES Tayinloan - Gigha Oban - Colonsay - Port Askaig - Kennacraig Kennacraig - Port Ellen/Port Askaig |
THE FIRTH OF CLYDE Tarbert - Portavadie Wemyss Bay - Rothesay Colintraive - Rhubodach (Bute) Ardrossan - Brodick Claonaig - Lochranza (Arran) Largs -Cumbrae Slip | |
CALMAC ROUTE MAP
TIMETABLE CHANGES FOR WINTER 2008/9 AND SUMMER 2009
CalMac Ferries Ltd announced on 28 August 2008 that 13 timetable improvements would be introduced from 19 October 2008 following consultations with local communities and approval from Scottish Ministers. The public service contract for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry Services requires the company to seek Ministerial approval for timetable improvements and these particular changes are largely aimed at ensuring better integration with bus and rail services and improving connectivity for businesses. The full list of the changes is given below :-
Ullapool-Stornoway, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables -changes of 15, 30 or 60 minutes to improve vessel refuelling and integration with bus services.
Barra - Eriskay, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables -changes to improve integration with bus services.
Berneray-Leverburgh, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables -changes to improve integration with bus services.
Lochmaddy-Uig, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - Winter timetable changes to extend turn around times to allow for refuelling and expected traffic increases. Summer changes to allow for improved refuelling arrangements.
Tarbert-Lochmaddy, Winter 2008/09 timetable - consequential changes related to the Lochmaddy-Uig changes.
Sconser-Raasay, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - Winter change to provide an additional return sailing each day, Summer change to remove one return sailing each day in June, July and August and improve local transport connections.
Mallaig-Armadale, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - minor timetable changes to reflect actual sailing times and improve integration with train services.
Oban-Lismore, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - to allow school children to commute daily to Oban schools rather than live in Oban hostels, improve transport links and social inclusion.
Oban-Coll-Tiree, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - new Sunday morning sailing added for part of the Winter timetable, rerouting of the 0600 Wednesday Summer service to meet local requests.
Oban - Barra - South Uist, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - Minor Winter changes to reflect actual sailing times, Summer changes to improve integration with train services
Kennacraig-Islay, Winter 2008/09 timetable - inclusion within the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract the deployment of a second vessel to provide additional sailings throughout the Winter to meet the expectations of the vibrant Islay whisky industry and revised sailing times to meet local requests.
Wemyss Bay-Rothesay, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - minor timing changes to integrate with train services.
Colintraive-Rhubodach, Winter 2008/09 and Summer 2009 timetables - to improve the regularity of sailing times.
Further information about CalMac Ferries Ltd can be found on their website -http://www.calmac.co.uk/