Port enabling works at Port Askaig
New Islay Vessel Port Enabling Works
Update 7 August 2024
Following a period of infrastructure works, Port Askaig ferry terminal reopened on Wednesday 31 July and Kennacraig South Berth reopened today, Wednesday 7 August.
Up to Friday 9 August - Due to MV Hebridean Isles crew requiring onshore accommodation as a result of damaged cabins,an amended timetable will operate. Please note, all affected passengers with bookings on sailings up to and including 9 August have now been contacted.
Update 31 July 2024
Following a period of infrastructure works to prepare the port for the arrival of two new vessels in the future, Port Askaig ferry terminal will re-open for Caledonian MacBrayne services as scheduled on 31 July 2024.
Work is continuing on the south berth at Kennacraig, and this berth is now scheduled to re-open during week commencing 5 August 2024.
Amended timetables will continue to operate on the Islay and Colonsay routes until 17 October 2024. Please read on for further information.
Timetable information
An amended timetable will operate on the Kennacraig-Port Ellen/Port Askaig, Islay and Oban-Colonsay-Port Askaig-Kennacraig routes in two stages from Wednesday 31 July until Friday 9 August, and Saturday 10 August to Thursday 17 October.
Full details on the timetable amendments are available on our timetable pages:
Islay - Kennacraig-Port Ellen/Port Askaig timetable
Colonsay - Oban-Colonsay & Oban-Colonsay-Port Askaig-Kennacraig timetable
Ongoing improvement work at Port Askaig
The port owners at Port Askaig, Argyll & Bute Council, are carrying out further improvement work at the port, and this work will continue in parallel with the resumption of ferry services to/from Port Askaig from 31 July 2024. As a result of this work, car parking at the port is currently limited. Please bear this in mind when planning your journey.
Wednesday Colonsay service
We apologise that, due to an onboard issue with MV Hebridean Isles, these amended timetables include the cancellation of the Wednesday service to/from Oban-Colonsay during the period 31 July to 17 October.
A passenger charter between Oban and Colonsay will operate on Wednesdays 31 July & 7 August. It can carry 12 passengers; however, it is not able to carry dogs or bikes. It can be booked via our Oban port office and full details are available on our Service Status & Information page.
From 14 August there is no charter currently available, however we will continue to explore alternative options, and we'll keep customers updated through our Service Status & Information page.
This cancellation is due to several crew cabins being damaged and unavailable for use. Crew members need to be accommodated ashore, which has impacted crew hours of rest. In turn, our timetable for the period has been amended to allow for this.
We understand the impact of these changes on our customers and the island community, and we are very sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Customer bookings
If you have a booking for travel to Islay / Colonsay between Wednesday 31 July - Thursday 17 October, which is affected, our team will be in contact with you to provide details.
If you would like to make a booking for travel to Islay / Colonsay between Wednesday 31 July - Thursday 17 October, please be aware that our system is currently being updated. While this work is underway, it may seem that some sailings are unavailable. Please do check back, as this may be temporary while updates take place.
Retail on MV Hebridean Isles
Hot drinks and light snacks will be available on board MV Hebridean Isles; however, no hot food will be available due to reduced crew availability. We are sorry that we can't provide our normal retail service in the usual way during this period, while we manage the challenge detailed above.
Next phases of work
This project is part of a series of major infrastructure works by CMAL (Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited) to prepare Kennacraig, Port Askaig and Colonsay ports for new vessels.
Works are continuing at Kennacraig, due for completion at the end of January 2025, however Caledonian MacBrayne's services will continue to operate.
Work is also continuing at at Colonsay, and is scheduled to continue through to October 2024, however no closure period will be required at Colonsay since works will be able to operate around Caledonian MacBrayne's service.
Thank you to the communities and customers for your patience while we deliver our services during this period.