Press Releases

The deadline for charities and local groups to apply to the CalMac Community Fund has been extended.

CalMac's staff and customers are set to be the subject of an eight-part TV documentary in 2023.

Cowal and Bute groups have benefited from awards made by the CalMac Community Fund.

CalMac's Managing Director Robbie Drummond has issued a statement regarding P&O Ferries:

Following Highland Council's announcement regarding the closure of Uig Harbour, CalMac is hosting another phase of community consultation events.

Peel Ports has announced that it will be temporarily closing the Arran berth in Ardrossan Harbour next month for essential work.

CalMac's essential services timetable is ending thanks to a noticeable decrease in covid-related absences amongst staff.

Students from the Nicolson Institute have secured an award of £3000 for Western Isles Women's Aid through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI).

CalMac is hosting a series of public consultation and engagement meetings next week to gather feedback on the proposed temporary changes to timetables during the closure of Uig Harbour.

Sea trials on the MV Loch Seaforth have been successful and the vessel will return to service this evening (Monday 31 May) as planned.

Budding philanthropists from Campbeltown Grammar School are celebrating after their top presentation skills won £3,000 for local charity, the Mairi Semple Fund.

The MV Isle of Arran will be temporarily taking over the overnight freight run on the Stornoway-Ullapool route from Wednesday 21 April.

Projects tackling social issues arising from COVID-19 in west coast communities have been awarded funding from the CalMac Community Fund.

Ferry passengers will be able to book sailings for October onwards with the launch of CalMac's winter timetable this week.

CalMac Ferries Limited ensured that Waverley passengers who were stranded on Arran last night were taken safely back to the mainland.

The west coast's most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups are set to benefit from the latest round of the CalMac Community Fund.

Port and ferry operator CalMac welcomed the local MP to Perth Harbour to hear about how they've turned its fortunes around since taking on management of the facility.

Young swimmers from Islay and Jura joined local swimmers in Oban for the 'CalMac Swim Challenge'.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is making some significant fleet improvements during this year's dry docking maintenance programme.

Forty-five young people on Barra have been given the chance to set sail thanks to CalMac's Community Fund.

West coast ferry CalMac has scored a more than 9/10 average satisfaction rate from customers dealing with the company through the Covid crisis.

CalMac is to bring in extra staff to help support passengers who end up in long queues on the Largs Cumbrae route.

Tobermory High School Pipe band is drumming up more new members than ever before thanks to CalMac's Community Fund.

Every school age child on the island of Coll has improved their swimming ability thanks to CalMac's Community Fund.

Prevent the spread of coronavirus by wearing a face covering, is the simple message coming from ferry operator CalMac.

Ullapool Swimming Club has strengthened its coaching team thanks to support from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Support from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund helped Uibhist Squais - Uist squash club - give a taste of the sport to more than 50 island young people.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is to further extend its essential travel only timetable until at least 30 June.

Ferry operator CalMac is reinforcing the essential travel to islands only message on the back of the latest Scottish Government advice.

Women's football on the Western Isles has moved up a league thanks to CalMac's Community Fund.

Seventy six youth groups from Campbeltown to Ullapool have all been able to increase opportunities for local young people thanks to CalMac's Community Fund.

A school trip to France is just one of four projects in Barra and the Uists being backed by CalMac's Community Fund.

Six youth groups based around Oban and Mull are set set to benefit from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Three Skye based youth groups are set set to benefit from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Young people in the Mallaig area are set to benefit from two awards from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

An award from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund is set to increase art opportunities for young people living in Cowal.

Three Arran youth groups are set set to benefit from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Islay and Jura's young swimmers are getting the chance to train in an Olympic sized pool thanks to ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

The Covid-19 emergency has forced ferry operator CalMac to defer its 2020 intake of Modern Apprentices (MAs).

The 'stay at home' message would appear to be working if trips to Scotland's west coast islands are a reflection of wider travel patterns.

Ferry operator CalMac has issued a reminder that only essential travel will be allowed over the Easter weekend.

Twelve young people from the Lewis and Harris Youth Club Association set themselves a CalMac Challenge to develop their team building skills.

With the shut down of its retail outlets due to the Covid-19 crisis, CalMac has decided to donate food that's shortly going out of date to local food banks.

CalMac has seen passenger numbers drop by 95% since new rules on essential ferry travel were put in place.

CalMac customer update regarding the latest publication of The List Easter Edition.

Due to the Covid-19 situation the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have agreed to temporarily relax its rules on passengers being able to stay in their vehicles during some ferry journeys.

Schools and community groups across the west coast are getting an IT upgrade from CalMac.

25 March 2020 - Ferry operator CalMac is urging customers looking to cancel trips to go online after its contact centres were swamped with almost 5000 phone calls in a single day.

24 March 2020 - In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government has made clear the need to avoid all but essential travel by ferry to Scotland's remote and island communities

22 March 2020 - CalMac state ferry travel across Scotland must be for essential travel only

21 March 2020 - CalMac has announced that it is to cease its on board food and drink and retail offering with immediate effect on all routes.

20 March 2020 - To ensure continued lifeline services are maintained to the Isle of Lewis, ferry operator CalMac is making changes to its overnight freight service.

CalMac is to stop taking new bookings on all of its services with a travel date of before 15 July as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

19 March 2020 - CalMac has now stopped taking new bookings on all of its services up to and including 15 July 2020 as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Bookings can still be made for travel from 16 July and beyond. Bookings that have already been made up to that period will be honoured where services are running. Priority will continue to be given to emergency services and medical emergencies. We will now be operating a turn up and go service on all of our routes.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is introducing a new process that will help islanders attend urgent medical appointments, even if the car deck on the sailing they need to take is full.

We would like to reassure our customers that we are working closely with Transport Scotland's Resilience Team & Health Protection Scotland with regards to the global outbreak of Coronavirus, and have developed #COVID19 contingency plans.

Due to infrastructure upgrades, including the replacement of the linkspan, by Highland Council at Uig the port will close for a period from September 2021.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is launching a UK first online tool that allows customers to access carrying data for individual routes at the touch of a button.

Children travelling to Arran will now get a sense of what marine life they are likely to spot thanks to a new themed play area on the MV Caledonian Isles.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is warning of potential travel disruption as Storm Ciara is forecast to hit its area of operations this weekend.

The UK's largest ferry company has become the first transport operator in the country to adopt the new 'Any Disability Symbol' on board.

The UK's largest ferry and harbour operator is adding to its support for Gaelic speakers by offering a bi-lingual English and Gaelic customer care service.

A new film exploring a hidden corner of the Isle of Lewis has been premiered by Comunn Eachdraidh Nis - Ness Historical Society

West coast ferry and harbour operator CalMac is looking to appoint four new members to its Community Board.

Sixteen Modern Apprentices (MA) will soon be welcomed aboard by west coast ferry and harbour operator CalMac after successfully completing their training.

A new high tech paint coating is set to make CalMac ferry MV Loch Seaforth more fuel-efficient.

Technical issues with the MV Hebridean Isles uncovered during its annual dry dock maintenance period have delayed it's return to service.

CalMac staff have helped raise £2500 to support new crew members joining the Oban lifeboat.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) will be replacing the lifting cylinders on linkspan number two at Oban Harbour as part of a planned maintenance programme.

Lewis and Harris Women's Football Association (LHWFA) is now working with more than 40 girls in the islands thanks to an award through CalMac's Community Fund.

CalMac's Service Updates Team has been crowned team of the year by the Contact Centre Association (CCA) for the quality of their customer care.

With just over a month to go before it closes for this year CalMac's Community Fund still has plenty of scope to help youth groups up and down the west coast.

Staff are working round the clock to get Scotland's West Coast ferry service back to normal, according to CalMac boss Robbie Drummond.

Poppyscotland has drafted in ferry operator CalMac to help them educate a new generation of young Scots about remembrance.

More than 50 pupils from Rothesay's Joint Campus boarded the MV Bute to help the crew hone their safety skills.

Ferry operator CalMac has taken further steps to highlight service changes during the temporary service arrangements serving Mull and Iona during the Lochaline pier upgrade work.

Ferry operator CalMac is investing a record amount in keeping its fleet in ship shape condition during this year's winter maintenance programme. More than £9 million is being targeted at planned maintenance to ensure every vessel is ready for another year of supporting communities across the west coast. This is more than double the amount spent last year.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is in the running for a prestigious business award, for its work on the east coast.

Demand from west coast youth groups for CalMac's new Community Fund has been so strong the company are expanding it.

Young people in Cowal are being encouraged to explore their creative side at a series of new workshops being held in Dunoon Burgh Hall.

Ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund is helping Gourock Golf Club shape the playing prospects of younger members.

Two island organisations are benefiting from awards through CalMac's new Community Fund, Arran Theatre and Arts Trust (ATAT) and Corrie Primary Parent Council.

Teenagers with disabilities on Bute will soon be able to take part in a new range of inclusive activities thanks to an award from CalMac's Community Fund.

Third officer Marino Giorgetti's light bulb moment has landed him the top prize in an international photography competition.

Primary school pupils on Cumbrae are set to get a taste of a career in broadcasting thanks to support from CalMac's new Community Fund.

A new CalMac team has delivered more than 15,000 extra car spaces over the past year thanks to more efficient on-board deck management.

Girlguiding members from Tarbert are set to navigate themselves across the Irish Sea to Belfast, thanks to generous support from ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Sea Cadets in Campbeltown will soon have access to more varied and challenging training thanks to the support of ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund.

Rothesay's crime writing festival, Bute Noir, expanded by more than 50% this year bringing around 250 visitors to the island specifically for the event.

Five youth groups across Islay and Jura have successfully applied to ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has finalised alternative travel arrangements for the Lochaline to Fishnish, Mull route, while port owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) carries out upgrade work to the slipway.

Young people in coastal communities are set to benefit from a new CalMac partnership that aims to build new life skills while supporting local charities. The west coast ferry operator has committed to The Wood Foundation's Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) and will be supporting its delivery in 11 schools across its area of operations.

Development of Gaelic music and arts on Eigg has been boosted by a £2000 grant from ferry operator CaMac's Community Fund.

The skirl of the pipes will be heard even louder on Mull soon, after Tobermory High School Pipe Band successfully bid for a grant to help them expand.

Gaelic Medium Primary school pupils in Portree will soon have somewhere to practise their language skills in the evening. Thanks to ferry operator CalMac's Community Fund Comann nam Pàrant Port Rìgh (CnPP) have been awarded £2000 to help with the set up costs of a new Gaelic youth club in the town.

This summer Greenock Morton FC's charitable arm 'Morton in the Community' is taking its summer skills coaching courses across the water to the Western Isles.

CalMac crews from MV Isle of Mull and MV Clansman have donated money gifted to them for outstanding service, to help support the work of the local RNLI.

Tagsa Uibhist's Armchair Athletics Project is one of the first to benefit from west coast ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund.

Sunnyside Primary School's Ocean Defenders spread their conservation message to a whole new audience thanks to west coast ferry operator CalMac.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has recruited a new Mobile Maintenance Team as part of its ongoing strategy to maintain high levels of customer service.

Feis Bharraigh's 'Music for All' has been awarded £2000 from west coast ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund.

The first youth groups to benefit from west coast ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund have been announced.

Ullapool Swimming Club is one of the first youth groups to benefit from west coast ferry operator CalMac's new Community Fund.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has won a prestigious hospitality award for its innovative Modern Apprenticeship partnership with City of Glasgow College.

The UK's largest ferry operator has become the first organisation in the country to be awarded a new level of 'Global Standard' accreditation for the helpfulness and professionalism of its customer operations staff.

A CalMac themed experience is to form part of a heritage play area in the new Rockfield Centre in Oban.

In 2016 CalMac worked with Skipinnish to write a song that summed up CalMac's relationship to the west coast of Scotland, the result was Home on the Sea.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has reported a record breaking Easter weekend as visitors flocked to visit island destinations.

CalMac has improved the functionality of its online reservations system. The ferry and harbour operator has now introduced new features to their web booking system that allows customers to save payment details and make changes to reservations online.

Ferry operator CalMac is bringing new jobs to Stornoway with the opening of new customer service centre in the town.

The on-going restoration of the historic steamship TS Queen Mary has been buoyed by a donation from west coast ferry operator CalMac.

Ferry operator CalMac is backing a north-west community in its bid to win £38,000 of funding for its Winter Lights Festival.

Ferry operator CalMac has announced details of timetable changes on the Wemyss Bay-Rothesay route while the harbour owner carries out essential improvement work.

Disadvantaged young people living in seafaring communities are set to benefit from a £5k grant from ferry operator CalMac.

Ferry and harbour operator CalMac has lent some helping hands to boost the restoration of the iconic British steamship, TS Queen Mary.

A training partnership with west coast ferry operator CalMac has secured a top award for City of Glasgow College.

A new model of ferry operator CalMac's MV Loch Seaforth is proving a hit with more then 400 sold in the first few weeks since its launch.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has confirmed it will be the main sponsor of a new music festival on the Isle of Skye.

West Coast Ferry operator CalMac is on course to cut its carbon emissions by 5% this year.

Two of the largest vessels to visit the Perth Port in recent years docked within 24 hours of each other last week.

The latest graduates on a hospitality Modern Apprenticeship (MA) aimed at the merchant marine industry are set to embark on their career at sea.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has published its carrying figures for 2018.

CalMac's independent Community Board has teamed up with the company to help raise the profile of Scotland's west coast islands as business destinations.

CalMac Ferries is set to launch a new national marketing campaign ahead of the 2019 tourism season, designed to raise awareness of Uist as an unmissable destination.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) has advised terminal users that they will be shutting Berth No.1 to replace the linkspan from February 1-28.

Ferry operator CalMac is launching a new Community Fund to help boost opportunities for young people in communities up and down the West Coast.

A new future for the Gourock Dunoon ferry route starts today (January 21), with the service being brought under the CalMac Ferries flag.

David MacBrayne Limited Announces the Appointment of a New Group Chief Executive Officer

List of the remaining vessels of the fleet yet to go into annual dry dock refit.

It may be the cup that cheers, but it seems tea is no longer the hot beverage of choice for travellers with west coast ferry operator, CalMac.

Ferry operator CalMac joined 40 organisations from across the UK to pledge to take action to tackle the challenges of climate change. The company has signed up to the Prince of Wales' 'Waste to Wealth Commitment' organised by his responsible business network, Business in the Community. Leaders from business, government, academia and civil society joined the Prince at the initiative's launch in London.

Our passenger numbers continue to grow as reported in our parent group David MacBrayne Ltd's annual accounts

Modern Apprenticeship (MA) opportunities with ferry operator CalMac have more than doubled over the past two years.

Over the summer volunteers on CalMac ferries spotted more than 500 marine mammals across the west coast as part of the company's Marine Awareness Programme.

The first intake of ferry operator CalMac's new Port Operations Modern Apprenticeship has cast off on their training voyage.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has been named 'Ferry Operator of the Year 2018' at the National Transport Awards.

West coast ferry operator CalMac is warning of potential travel disruption as Storm Callum is forecast to hit its area of operations from Friday onwards.

CalMac has now taken over the running of Perth Port on behalf of Perth and Kinross Council, the company's first venture on the east coast.

Argyll and Bute Council are carrying out improvement works to Rothesay pier starting next month. There will be minimal, but unavoidable, service disruption for the duration of the project.

The Board of David MacBrayne Ltd has today (June 19, 2018) confirmed the appointment of Robbie Drummond as Managing Director of CalMac Ferries Ltd. He has been acting as interim managing director since February. Read more

Storm Hector is expected to hit Scotland's west coast overnight causing widespread disruption to ferry services, operator CalMac has warned.

CalMac ferry MV Clansman is returning to service ahead of schedule.

To mark World Oceans Day, ferry operator CalMac has announced further steps to cut down on the amount of plastic it uses on board.

Ferry operator CalMac is supporting the Scottish Government's Year of Young People (YoYP) 2018 with two new ticketing initiatives.

A delivery date for CalMac ferry MV Clansman's new propeller shaft has been announced. Following on from a temporary repair to the vessel's propulsion system, the vessel will dock again for a permanent replacement part to be fitted from June 1 returning on June 12.

CalMac ferry MV Clansman is returning to service after extensive repairs to her propulsion system.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has reassured customers that despite unavoidable disruption due to vessel repair overrun, each of its 26 island destinations remain very much open for business.

Complications during the repair to the propulsion system of West Coast ferry operator CalMac's MV Clansman means the vessel will now be out of service for longer than first anticipated. To minimise any disruption CalMac has agreed an extension to the MV Hebrides' operating licence, which was due to enter dry dock, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for a further three weeks.

MV Eigg, the last 'Island' class ferry in the CalMac fleet, is retiring from west coast service.

As off March 30 CalMac has increased ferry fares by the Consumer Price Index.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has teamed up with 14 conservation bodies in a bid to better protect the environment it sails in. The company's new Marine Awareness Programme outlines specific actions it will take to help passengers get the most from the environment they are travelling through and to better understand the wildlife in its area of operations.

Ferry operator CalMac is making further changes to its West Coast services in order to absorb on-going capacity issues resulting from the MV Clansman still in dry dock. The Clansman is awaiting the return of her propulsion unit sent to Denmark for repairs.

CalMac Ferries' new Interim Managing Director, Robbie Drummond, is looking forward to the company's busiest ever summer season, which starts in earnest this Easter weekend on CalMac's ferry routes up and down the west coast of Scotland.

A knock on effect of the MV Clansman's extended dry dock has required CalMac to reshuffle its fleet to continue to deliver lifeline services to communities it supports in the Western Isles.

Ferry operator CalMac will be testing out its emergency planning drills in Tarbert harbour, Harris, on March 27.

Ferry operator CalMac is expanding its Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme to include harbour operations.

One of ferry operator CalMac's longest serving vessels is retiring from west coast service.

The Board of David MacBrayne Limited has today (January 31, 2018) announced the appointment of Robbie Drummond, Interim Director of Service Delivery and former Group Finance Director, as Interim Managing Director of CalMac Ferries Limited from Monday, 5 February 2018.

Passengers on the Ardrossan Arran crossing are set to reap the benefit of CalMac's newly recognised commitment to first class customer service.

Ocean Defenders from Sunnyside Primary School in Glasgow have enlisted ferry operator CalMac to their campaign to ban plastic straws.

One of west coast ferry operator CalMac's most prolific passengers is retiring after sailing the equivalent of more than 10 times around world with the company.

Ferry operator CalMac has premiered a new innovative on-board safety video to try and better educate passengers on what to do in an emergency.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has issued a weather warning in the face of Storm Caroline hitting its area of operations tomorrow (December 7).

Ferry operator CalMac has seconded a full time ORCA wildlife officer to help educate crew and passengers about marine life across the west coast.

The first intake on a new hospitality Modern Apprenticeship aimed specifically at the merchant marine industry are about to embark on their new career.

David MacBrayne Ltd (DML) announced today (Tuesday, November 7,) that its Chief Executive Martin Dorchester, who is also Managing Director of CalMac Ferries Ltd, will be leaving the company to take up a new role as Chief Executive of Includem, - a specialist Scottish charity supporting some of the most vulnerable young people and their families across Scotland.

Timetable changes to improve bus and train connections are among the service improvements being made by ferry operator CalMac.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf has visited the newest and smallest vessel in the CalMac Fleet, the 12 metre MV Carvoria, which operates on the Kerrera to Gallanach route, south of Oban.

Ferry operator CalMac has finalised its winter maintenance programme.

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has set out its plans for ferry services affected by the essential maintenance work at Lochmaddy Harbour, which are scheduled to take place for one week from November 13.

In the face of severe weather warnings ferry operator CalMac is urging passengers to consider rethinking non essential travel.

Hard of hearing ferry passengers are set to benefit from a new video interpretation service that will make it easier for them to manage their ticket bookings.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has confirmed membership of its new Community Board. The creation of the twelve member, independent board was a key element of the company's winning bid for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service contract last year and will be a strong community voice on strategic ferry issues.

Efforts by CalMac to build better environmental partnerships across the west coast have been recognised by the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is inviting applications from residents of the rural communities covered by the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) contract to form a Community Board which will have the primary purpose of being a voice of the communities on strategic issues.

One of Scotland's shortest ferry services, which links the small Argyll island of Kerrera to the mainland south of Oban, will be operated by award-winning ferry operator CalMac Ferries Ltd from July 1, 2017.

Ferry operator CalMac Ferries Ltd has announced that its Summer 2017 timetable will be online and available for booking from 12 noon tomorrow ( Jan 10, 2017).

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is warning anyone planning to travel by ferry this week and into the holiday period that strong winds are forecast in many parts of its network leading to possible disruption of ferry services.

Time waits for no man, woman or ferry and, although we have yet to wave 2016 goodbye, CalMac has now opened its popular photographic competition for its 2018 calendar.

An eight strong group of volunteers from ferry operator CalMac rolled up their sleeves to put a bit of shine back on one of Inverclyde's top beauty spots.

A group of eight students is making history alongside CalMac with a brand new apprenticeship programme - the first of its type in the UK.

A new link up with City of Glasgow College means all ferry operator CalMac's engineering and deck apprentices will now be trained in Scotland.

With winds forecast to gust up to 60 knots over the next two days, ferry operator CalMac has issued its first general weather warning of the season.

Businesses in the Western Isles are reporting an economic boost driven by increased ferry capacity and dedicated services.

CalMac Ferries Ltd has confirmed that its full timetable for Winter 2016/17 is now available to book online.

Ferry operator CalMac and port owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd are to trial a one way traffic system at the Oban terminal.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is launching new routes among other amendments to its winter timetable after community consultation.

The latest addition to ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne's fleet, MV Catriona, is starting advanced sea trials around Arran and Cumbrae.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has confirmed that repairs to the MV Hebridean Isles have been completed and she currently en route to Islay. She is due to arrive later today (Tuesday, August 9) and will enter service as soon as practicable.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne is redeploying a vessel to Islay and moving another to 24 hour working to increase capacity on the route.

Ferry operator CalMac has chartered a freight vessel for the next six days to increase capacity on the Islay service.

A healthier approach to food on-board Caledonian MacBrayne ferries has been recognised by a national NHS-backed scheme.

Craignure on Mull is the latest CalMac location to have its first aid capability boosted with a defibrillator.

Due to a continuing electrical fault on the MV Finlaggan's mezzanine deck impacting vehicle capacity, extra sailings are being laid on this weekend (Saturday May 28).

CalMac, the UK's largest ferry, operator has successfully renewed its Global Standard Accreditation for customer care in the face of a 37% increase in calls over the past year. The company's 46 strong customer operations team was again given the much coveted quality assurance mark by the Contact Centre Association (CCA) for its helpfulness and professionalism.

Staff at CalMac's customer operations centre are on a crash learning course to reach out to more Gaelic speakers through social media. Six volunteers from the customer team in Gourock are going through a Gaelic beginners course to enable them to start posting service update tweets bilingually.

Both ferries to Arran are trialling a new booking system that should improve the travelling experience for passengers with mobility problems.

Ferry operator CalMac is changing the way it alerts customers to disrupted services following feedback from passengers. An additional service status of yellow is being added to the existing green, amber and red categories on their website to give passengers clearer information about potential disruption.

Shearwater Marine Services Ltd has been appointed as the lead contractor to provide diving support services to ferry operator CalMac. The company, based in Dunoon, will now be responsible for all diving support to CalMac's 31 strong fleet and harbour operations after winning the competitive tender competition.

Ferry operator CalMac has signed a deal with Fort William based Shiel Buses to provide onward links for foot passengers using the new Lochboisdale to Mallaig service.

MV Isle of Lewis will be a familiar sight in Oban Bay over the summer as she picks up the new daily service to Barra.

MV Coruisk begins her new role as the second vessel on the Oban to Craignure run - increasing capacity for the Isle of Mull and making the mainland commutable for islanders for the first time

After a six month absence while harbour improvement work was completed, MV Argyle is back at Wemyss Bay as CalMac resumes normal service to Rothesay.

West coast ferry operator CalMac has picked an award at the UK National Coach Tourism Awards. They were crowned Cross Sea Carrier Of The Year at a ceremony in Birmingham last night (March 16).

CalMac services to Rothesay will restart from Wemyss Bay on Good Friday (March 25). The pier has been closed for six months for essential repairs with services diverted to Gourock but will reopen for travel again in time for the Easter weekend.

A new-state-of-the-art lifesaving system is being fitted to the MV Coruisk before it takes on its new summer sailing schedule between Oban and Mull.

West coast operator CalMac is giving away 1000 free tickets as part of National Ferry Fortnight.

​Essential repair work at Port Ellen Ferry Terminal will require ferry operator CalMac to divert all Islay services to Port Askaig for a period of around three weeks. The port's linkspan is being replaced, along with cylinders and pipework being upgraded by owner, Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), requiring closure from April 18.

Ferry operator CalMac is again looking for the best in new Scottish talent to play a set at some of the country's biggest summer music festivals. Now in its third year CalMac Culture Music for up and coming singers and bands is now open for entries. Finalists will battle it out on the iconic stage at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow on March 31 for a chance to take the stage at one of nine festivals taking place across the west coast.

CalMac's Fort William tour office manager stars centre stage in a new video to help young people make better decisions on their career choices.

A new-state-of-the-art lifesaving system is being fitted to the MV Loch Portain during its annual refit this year. The new Maritime Evacuation System (MES) will be obvious to regular passengers as it is being relocated from the vehicle deck to the passenger deck. The new equipment will significantly speed up the vessel's evacuation in the event of an emergency.

Members of the public have been asked not to swim or dive at Armadale Ferry Terminal on the isle of Skye by Caledonian MacBrayne staff.

Improvement works to Ullapool Harbour's linkspan are on course to start on Monday (April 20) meaning the closure of the port to vehicular traffic for a period of four weeks

​Caledonian MacBrayne's commitment to sourcing and serving Scottish produce has been recognised with a nomination at the Scottish Food and Drink Awards.

A five-piece band, with members from both Inverness and Thurso, has taken one of CalMac Culture Music's hotly-contested festival slots.

Increased demand from weekenders heading to the Isle of Arran for the Easter break has led ferry operator CalMac to lay on extra sailings.

Passengers on Caledonian MacBrayne's Wemyss Bay to Rothesay ferries have been treated to a series of special musical performances.

UK's busiest malt whisky ferry wins an International Safety Award with merit. Caledonian MacBrayne's MV Finlaggan ferry has won an International Safety Award with merit from the British Safety Council.

Details of the four new additional sailings linking Stornoway and Ullapool over the summer have now been published by ferry operator CalMac. The two extra return journeys on Fridays and Saturdays will run from Friday, June 26 to Saturday, August 29 and will provide a significant boost for tourists getting to and from the the island.

Improvements to Ullapool Harbour's linkspan will mean the closure of the port to vehicular traffic from April 20 to May 18. There will be a temporary service introduced from Stornoway to Uig to allow continued traffic to flow between Lewis and the mainland.