Calmac to provide additional capacity for Tiree and Barra festivals

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is to redeploy vessels and amend timetables to provide additional capacity on services to Tiree and Barra.

The changes, which will apply on July 24-25 for services to and from Tiree, and to Barra on July 28-30, have been brought in to support music festivals on each island by further reducing the impact on services by the ongoing technical problems with the MV Clansman.

Additional services include deploying the MV Lochnevis between Mallaig and Castlebay

“CalMac direct”

CalMac Managing Director Phil Preston said: “We share everyone’s frustration that the MV Clansman is not ready to resume her usual services and are doing everything we can to minimise disruption. The interim timetable has been working well with tens of thousands of ferry travellers continuing to be carried despite the disruptions, but we have always been mindful that there would be occasions when additional services may be required. As resources are severely stretched this was always going to be a challenge but we have identified some changes which we believe will provide people travelling to Tiree and Barra with a few more options. “

He added: “Some flexibility in customers’ travel plans may be required, but we are sure they will appreciate the efforts being made to get them to and from these events. Where travellers are required to move to other routes, their tickets will be honoured on the alternative service(s). Anyone who has booked, and whose sailing is affected will be contacted by CalMac. Foot passengers who wish to discuss their options under this revised timetable should contact CalMac direct.”

The revised timetable will be published on our website (www.calmac.co.uk) in due course.

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