Service updates

Friday 16th April to 25th April

The Oban – Castlebay service will operate a combined Lochboisdale and Castlebay service by MV Lord of the Isles and can be viewed here.

Please note services on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays will operate to normal timetable.

The change to this service is in response to a major failure of the port engine with MV Loch Seaforth operating the Ullapool – Stornoway route. It is expected that the vessel will be out of service until at least the end of April to allow the engine issue to be thoroughly investigated and repaired. 

We have been working closely with the vessel owners CMAL as well as Transport Scotland to find ways of minimising disruption overall, however, for longer periods it is sometimes necessary to move vessels around the network to provide a replacement. We know and understand the reduction of any service can be very challenging for our customers and the communities we serve, and we apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.

We’ll keep customers updated throughout. If you’ve not already done so, download our app or follow our Twitter @CalMac_Updates so we can provide you with timely updates, with the latest information we have available. Alternatively, you can also sign up to our service status text updates.   

Saturday 17th April

Due to a forecast of high winds this service will operate as follows -

Depart Lochboisdale - 07:00 (on time)
Arrive Mallaig - 10:30
Depart Mallaig - 11:00 (3 hours 20mins early)
Arrive Lochboisdale - 14:30
Depart Lochboisdale - 14:40
Arrive Castlebay - 16:10

Due to adverse weather this service remains liable to disruption or cancellationat short notice.

Reason: operational