Ferry redeployment cuts capacity on Mallaig–Armadale route until early August
Ferry services between Mallaig and Armadale will operate with reduced capacity until at least 6 August after CalMac redeployed MV Loch Bhrusda to cover a vessel breakdown elsewhere in the network.
The move follows the withdrawal of MV Loch Portain from the Sound of Harris route after engineers identified gearbox vibration levels outside acceptable tolerances.
In an update shared with the Sound of Sleat Ferry Users Group, CalMac said Loch Bhrusda will transfer from the Mallaig–Armadale service to the Sound of Harris route from Thursday, where it is expected to remain while repairs to Loch Portain are assessed.
As a result, the Mallaig–Armadale crossing will operate a single vessel timetable with the MV Coruisk.
The disruption forms part of a wider reshuffle across the west coast ferry network, triggered by the loss of Loch Portain and planned maintenance on MV Hebrides.
On the Sound of Harris route, Loch Bhrusda will replace Loch Portain, although its smaller capacity means MV Glen Sannox will provide an inter-island service between Lochmaddy and Tarbert until 27 July. Additional passenger charter sailings will also operate between 22 and 24 July to ease demand.
Meanwhile, Hebrides is due to undergo three days of essential maintenance from 28 July, with Glen Sannox operating an amended timetable on the Little Minch route during that period.
The redeployment will also affect Mallaig–Small Isles services, where additional vehicle and passenger charter sailings will operate on 25 July and 1 August.
CalMac added that port staff are contacting affected passengers and apologised for the disruption caused by the changes.
]]>MV Coruisk returns to Mallaig-Armadale route
Communities in South Skye and the mainland have welcomed the return of the MV Coruisk after weeks of disruption.
Radio Skye reported last week on the impact the reduction in service has had on the local economy.
It follows the MV Isle of Arran’s return to the Oban-Craignure service after five weeks of repairs.
CalMac has been operating under significant strain, with several vessels undergoing repairs in recent weeks.
]]>Concerns raised over reduced Mallaig-Armadale ferry service
Locals on both sides of the Sound of Sleat say a reduction in ferry services between Mallaig and Armadale could have a major impact on local businesses and residents in the coming weeks.
Mallaig Community Council has written to ferry operator CalMac expressing concern about the level of service on the route between 27 March and 8 April.
The group says the withdrawal of vessels and delays elsewhere in the network will reduce vehicle capacity to around 30 cars per day each way, compared with the usual 250 to 300 cars.
Sandra McLean, chairperson of Mallaig Community Council, said the situation was already affecting the start of the tourism season.
She said:
“Mallaig Comunity Council is extremely concerned about the drastic reduction in ferry services on the Mallaig-Armadale route over the Easter holidays and the recent news that the Mallaig-Lochboisdale run will not commence before the 16th April. The systematic removal of essential vessels has left our community and local economy in an untenable position.
“The replacement vessels on the Mallaig-Armadale route are limited to 30 cars per day each way – capacity slashed by 90% and we are already seeing a wave of cancellations and a catastrophic loss of footfall at the very start of the season after a long winter.
“The narrative that these routes are ‘not a priority’ or a non-lifeline’ service is insulting to the businesses and families who have built their lives around it.
“CalMac must move away from its reliance on diverting vessels from their scheduled route and procure a fleet of dedicated relief vessels to cover breakdowns on the network.
“Mallaig community council urges CalMac to reconsider these deployments immediately and provide a resilient, permanent service that reflects the actual needs of our communities.
A CalMac spokeswoman said:
“Due to our services being stretched while several vessels are unavailable, it’s not currently possible to provide the level of service we would like to. This is understandably frustrating for customers and local communities, and we are sorry for the disruption.
“Mallaig-Armadale is a valued service, and we recognise how important it is. We are working hard to ensure that the route is covered in these difficult circumstances, but this will often require us to move vessels around the network.
“We have chartered a replacement vessel for Mallaig-Armadale until MV Coruisk returns on 8 April. The intention had been for MV Loch Bhrusda to operate on this route, but the vessel must remain on the Sound of Harris service while MV Loch Portain is delayed in annual overhaul.
“We are keen to engage with communities in Mallaig and south Skye about the ferry service for the remainder of the summer timetable and will ensure that this is arranged as soon as possible.”
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Concerns raised as essential signage blocked from view
Concerns have been raised in Sleat over the obstruction of essential signage due to overgrown vegetation.
The Sleat Community Council have reported the issue to the Highland Council three times. It affects the 20 mph flashing warning signs that slow traffic during school opening hours at Bun Sgoil Shlèite.
In a post on social media, the Sleat Community Council said:
“Despite three separate online reports to the The Highland Council since before the end of the summer term the Bun-sgoil Shlèite southbound 20mph warning sign is still partly obscured by overgrown trees.
“With the summer holidays continuing for many and our roads remaining busy, it is disappointing that the council reporting system has failed the community.”
The community council are asking drivers to use extreme caution when approaching the school.
Car versus motorbike in road traffic accident on A855
There was severe disruption on the road near the Achachork junction today after a road traffic accident.
Long queues formed on either side of the accident, with motorists being advised to avoid the area and use the diversion routes.
A police spokesperson told Radio Skye:
“Around 11.25am on Wednesday, 16 August 2023, we were called to a report of crash involving a car and a motorcycle on the A855 near Portree. Emergency services are in attendance.”
Man jailed after HGV hits Inverness pedestrian
A 33 year old man from Harris has been jailed for three years after the lorry he was driving struck a woman in Inverness in March 2021.
The woman required emergency surgery to amputate her leg after being crushed by the wheels of the HGV.
The driver, John Campbell, was over the legal alcohol driving limit and has also been banned from driving for seven and a half years.
Corran ferry service off… again
The Corran ferry service has ben cancelled for vehicles just over 24 hours after it started sailing again.
An ongoing issue with the steering system onboard relief vessel MV Maid of Glencoul means that vehicles are unable to be carried across the Corran Narrows.
The operators of the service, The Highland Council, has advised local communities that the 48 year old ferry requires new parts which could take several weeks to source.
A passenger only service is in operation with vehicles being forced to use alternative routes. Full contingency measures can be found on the Highland Council website: Corran Ferry passenger service update – Wednesday 16 August | The Highland Council
Warning of disruption to Skye Calmac ferry route
National ferry operators Calmac Ferries has confirmed that the final week of the summer timetable will be released in two phases.
Contingency measures are also being put in place due to the ongoing absence of major vessel MV Hebridean Isles from active service.
On the local Skye routes, there will be some disruption as the fleet transitions from the summer to winter timetables.
A single vessel service will operate between Mallaig and Armadale on the 20th, 21st and 22nd October with MV Loch Fyne as MV Coruisk will be redeployed to the Clyde.
Phase one of the remaining summer timetable is available to book from today, 16th August, with phase two following on the 23rd August.
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