Customer Update - Oban - Castlebay (Barra services)

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.