Customer Update - Oban - Castlebay (Barra services)

Updated: 13 November 2024

Following the news that MV Caledonian Isles, which previously operated services between Ardrossan-Brodick, requires further repairs, we have planned for the vessel being unavailable for the duration for the winter timetable period.

Below, we have shared details of our updated vessel redeployment plans from 16 November through to the end of the winter timetable period on 27 March 2025. There are no changes to the service to/from Oban-Castlebay.

When MV Isle of Lewis heads for annual maintenance, MV Isle of Mull will operate a shared service with South Uist. This service is scheduled to run from 4 February to 3 March. MV Isle of Lewis is then due to pick up service from 4 March for the remainder of the winter timetable. Full details are available via our service changes pages.

Stay up to date

As always, to stay up to date with the latest information on the service status of each route, please continue to check our Service Status and Information page for these routes, check the X (formerly Twitter) feed - @CalMac_Updates, and sign up for SMS text subscription services.

Thank you for your continued patience

Again, we apologise for the inconvenience caused by having one of the large vessels on the fleet out of service for this period. The revised plans outlined above takes on board the feedback from customers and communities on how we manage this situation - and reflects our commitment to meeting demand and maintaining a lifeline service across the network.

Updated 17 October 2024

Over the last few weeks, we have been managing a period of vessel redeployment around the network caused by major ongoing repairs to one of the vessels in the fleet - MV Caledonian Isles. This is occurring while annual vessel overhaul is underway - and we have had to redeploy vessel all around the network.

We want to share the latest information we have with you on how this will affect Barra services between Oban - Castlebay.

Latest information on Barra service plans

From Sunday 20 October, MV Isle of Mull will operate a combined Oban - Lochboisdale - Castlebay (Barra) service up to Friday 15 November. View timetable..

As outlined above, the combined service ensures that during the period of extended repairs to one of our major vessels, MV Caledonian Isles, which has now run on into the winter overhaul period, we can preserve a service for both routes until at least Friday 15 November inclusive. Details can be viewed on the Service Status and Information page for this route.

Customer bookings

If you have a booking for travel for the period above, we will contact you should your booking be affected. We are working through reservations in date order.

While work is underway to update the system, it may seem that some sailings are not available to book / amend. This is temporary. Please do check back.

Wider context on the need for vessel redeployment

MV Caledonian Isles - one of our major vessels on the network - is still undergoing unforeseen repairs. We anticipate that she will return to service by Wednesday 20 November, although the repairs are complex, and this date is subject to change. As this work has run into our winter overhaul period, it has meant a period of extended vessel redeployment around the network. The latest phase of this has meant implementation of a combined service for South Uist and Barra from 19 October - 15 November.

Thank you for your continued patience

Again, we sincerely apologise to our customers and communities who are and have been affected by this disruption. Our focus remains on protecting services and minimising disruption across the network, with the vessels we have available.

Thank you for your continued patience while we do this.