CalMac has published a deployment plan running to Sunday 17 May, with two major vessels set to return to service by Monday 20 April as ferry services begin to stabilise across the west coast.
MV Hebrides is expected back in service on the evening of Saturday 18 April following overhaul, while MV Lord of the Isles is due to return on Monday 20 April after repairs.
The return of MV Hebrides will trigger a series of vessel movements allowing normal services to resume on several routes.
MV Clansman will move to Coll, Tiree and Colonsay, releasing MV Isle of Mull to return to Mull as the main vessel.
That in turn allows MV Coruisk to resume her usual route between Mallaig and Armadale from Tuesday 21 April.
Most routes are expected to have their usual vessels in place from Monday 20 April, with only the Mallaig to Armadale service following a day later.
The deployment plan also accounts for MV Finlaggan’s annual overhaul, which runs from Sunday 26 April to Sunday 17 May.
MV Isle of Islay will take up position on the Islay route, with MV Lord of the Isles acting as the second vessel due to MV Isle of Arran remaining unavailable.
MV Glen Sannox will leave the Ullapool to Stornoway route on Sunday 19 April to begin a series of berthing trials at Uig, Castlebay and Oban.
Subject to the outcome of these trials, she is expected to operate services to Barra.
MV Alfred will operate alongside MV Caledonian Isles on the Troon to Brodick route, providing Arran with a two vessel service.
The continued absence of MV Isle of Arran means CalMac cannot currently run the Mallaig to Lochboisdale service.
An enhanced timetable remains in place on the Sound of Barra, allowing passengers from South Uist to connect via Oban and Castlebay.
Passengers who incur additional costs using this route can reclaim the difference through CalMac’s passenger rights policy.
CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison said:
“This remains a fast-moving situation but the expected return of two major vessels by Monday allows us to provide all communities with a level of certainty for the next month.
“Normal services will be restored to Coll, Colonsay, Tiree and Mull and we are able to get two vessels back on Islay.
“Though we are not out of the woods yet, we’re in a relatively stable position and are hopeful that things will continue to improve.
“We’re grateful to the patience, support and understanding we’ve had from islanders in recent weeks during this period of widespread disruption.
“We do not take that for granted, and it has been much appreciated by everyone at CalMac who has been working hard to maintain and restore services.”
The operator says the situation remains under close review as it works to rebuild reliability across the network.
| Route | Dates | Deployment | Service change vs. Planned service |
| Ardrossan/Troon – Brodick | 17 April – 17 May | MV Caledonian Isles MV Alfred | Change in vessel – MV Alfred from MV Glen Sannox, slightly reduce capacity and amended timetable |
| Kennacraig – Islay | 18 – 20 April 21 April – 26 April 26 April – 17 May | No change MV Finlaggan MV Isle of Islay MV Isle of Islay MV Lord of the Isles | Reduction to single-vessel service As planned Amended: MV Lord of the Isles in place of MV Isle of Arran |
| Oban – Castlebay | 18 –20 April (AM) 20 April (PM) – 17 May | MV Isle of Islay MV Glen Sannox (subject to trials) | Change from MV Isle of Lewis throughout, but operating to same timetable |
| Oban – Craignure | 18 – 19 April 20 April – 17 May | MV Coruisk MV Loch Frisa MV Isle of Mull MV Loch Frisa | Reduced service As planned |
| Mallaig – Lochboisdale | 18 April – 17 May | No vessel available – service cancelled | Should have been MV Lord of the Isles |
| Little Minch | 19 April From 19 April | Amended with MV Clansman and MV Hebrides MV Hebrides | As planned during overhaul As planned |
| Oban – Coll/Tiree/Colonsay | Until 19 April From 20 April | MV Isle of Mull MV Clansman | Amended timetable As planned |
| Ullapool – Stornoway | Until 19 April From 20 April | MV Loch Seaforth MV Glen Sannox MV Loch Seaforth | Sannox helping clear backlog and providing additional services As planned |
*MV Lord of the Isles will pick up from MV Finlaggan later in the day on 26 April to allow the latter to head to drydock.
