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Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac) was formed by the amalgamation on 1 January 1973 of two companies - the Caledonian Steam Packet Company Ltd and David MacBrayne Ltd – whose histories stretch back through two centuries. The company formed back in 1973 was subsequently split to form Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which own the vessels and piers and also CalMac Ferries Ltd which charter the fleet from CMAL and run them on their respective routes.

This list is ordered from newest to oldest vessel owned from 1973 by the various companies mentioned above. Vessels are listed by the date the were acquired if not from new. Vessels not listed as 'Disposed' are currently being operated by the respective companies.

Operator Abbreviations:
CMAL - CALEDONIAN MARITIME ASSETS LTD.*
AFLD - ARGYLL FERRIES LTD.
NTHL - NORTHLINK FERRIES
CMBL - CALEDONIAN MACBRAYNE LTD.
CSPL - CALEDONIAN STEAM PACKET CO. LTD.
DMBL - DAVID MACBRAYNE LTD.
*CMAL own these vessels but are operated by CalMac
 
 NAME  TYPE

 BUILT (ACQUIRED)

 DISPOSED  OPERATOR  HISTORY DECK PLAN
NEW BUILD 2 Battery Power   ---- CMAL
NEW BUILD 1 Battery Power   ---- CMAL
ARGYLL FLYER Motor Cat 2001 (2011) ---- AFLD
FINLAGGAN Car Ferry 2011 ---- CMAL
HILDASAY Freight Vessel   ---- NTHL
HELLIER Freight Vessel   ---- NTHL
LOCH SHIRA Car Ferry 2006 ---- CMAL
ARGYLE (VII) Car Ferry 2006 ---- CMAL
BUTE (VII) Car Ferry 2005 ---- CMAL
Currently on Charter TO NorthLink CLARE Freight Vessel 1971 (2003) 2010 NTHL
CORUISK (III) Car Ferry 2003 ---- CMAL
LOCH PORTAIN Car Ferry 2003 ---- CMAL
ALICAT Motor Cat 2000 (2002) ---- AFLD
HAMNAVOE Car Ferry 2002 ---- NTHL
HJALTLAND Car Ferry 2002 ---- NTHL
HROSSEY Car Ferry 2002 ---- NTHL
HASCOSAY Freight Vessel 1971 (2002) 2010 NTHL
Currently on Charter TO CalMac MUIRNEAG Freight Ferry 1979 (2002) ---- CMAL
LOCHNEVIS (II) Car Ferry 2000 ---- CMAL
HEBRIDES (III) Car Ferry 2000 ---- CMAL
LAIG BAY Motor Launch 2000 2004 CMAL
CLANSMAN (V) Car Ferry 1998 ---- CMAL
LOCH ALAINN Car Ferry 1997 ---- CMAL
LOCH BHRUSDA Car Ferry 1996 ---- CMAL

ISLE OF LEWIS

Car Ferry 1995 ---- CMAL
CALEDONIAN ISLES Car Ferry 1993 ---- CMAL
LOCH TARBERT Car Ferry 1992 ---- CMAL
LOCH BUIE (III) Car Ferry 1992 ---- CMAL
LOCH FYNE Car Ferry 1991 ---- CMAL
LOCH DUNVEGAN (II) Car Ferry 1991 ---- CMAL

LORD OF THE ISLES

Car Ferry 1989 ---- CMAL
ISLE OF MULL Car Ferry 1987 ---- CMAL
LOCH RANZA Car Ferry 1987 ---- CMAL
LOCH RIDDON Car Ferry 1986 ---- CMAL
LOCH LINNHE Car Ferry 1986 ---- CMAL
LOCH STRIVEN Car Ferry 1986 ---- CMAL

HEBRIDEAN ISLES

Car Ferry 1985 ---- CMAL
ISLE OF ARRAN Car Ferry 1983 ---- CMAL
LOCHMOR Motor Vessel 1979 2001 CMBL
CLAYMORE (III) Car Ferry 1978 1996 CMBL
SATURN Car Ferry 1977 ---- CMAL
ISLE OF CUMBRAE Car Ferry 1976 ---- CMAL

RAASAY

Car Ferry 1976 ---- CMAL
Currently on Charter FROM CalMac CANNA (10) Car Ferry 1975 ---- CMAL
KILDONAN Motor Launch 1923 (1975) 1985 CMBL
STAFFA Motor Launch 1934 (1975) 1981 CMBL
EIGG Car Ferry 1974 ---- CMAL
JUNO Car Ferry 1974 2010 CMAL
PIONEER Car Ferry 1974 2004 CMBL

SUILVEN

Car Ferry 1974  1995 CMBL
JUPITER Car Ferry 1973 2011 CMAL

TIGER

Motor Launch 1904 (1973) 1975 CMBL
CRAIGNURE (06) Motor Launch 1904 (1973) 1964 CMBL
BRUERNISH Car Ferry 1973 2006 CMBL
RHUM Car Ferry 1973 1997 CMBL
COLL (II) Car Ferry 1973 1997 CMBL

KILBRANNAN (08)

Car Ferry 1972  1992 DMBL
MORVERN (08) Car Ferry 1972 1995 DMBL
SCALPAY (II) Car Ferry 1971 ???? DMBL
LOCHALSH (III) Car Ferry 1971 1991 CSPL
CALEDONIA (III) Car Ferry 1966 (1970) 1987 CSPL
HM2 - 011 P.S.S.H. 1970 ???? CSPL
IONA (VII) Car Ferry 1970 1997 DMBL
KYLEAKIN (III) Car Ferry 1970 1991 CSPL

CORUISK (II)

Car Ferry 1969 1986 CSPL
EILEAN BUIDHE (09) Car Ferry 1963 (1969) 1970 CSPL
EILEAN DHU (09) Car Ferry 1940 (1969) 1970 CSPL
DHUIRNISH (09) Car Ferry 1956 (1969) 1971 CSPL
BROADFORD (II) Car Ferry 1967 1986 CSPL
KEPPEL Motor Vessel 1961 (1966) 1993 CSPL
EIGG Motor Launch 1923 (1966) 1978 (01) DMBL

PORTREE (II)

Car Ferry 1965 1986 CSPL
SCALPAY (I)  Turntable Ferry 1956 (1965) 1971 DMBL
CLANSMAN (IV) Car Ferry 1964 1984 DMBL
COLUMBA Car Ferry 1964 1988 DMBL
APPLECROSS Motor Launch 1944 (1963) 1969 (02) DMBL
HEBRIDES (II) Car Ferry 1963 1985 DMBL
IONA Motor Launch 1962 1988 (01) DMBL
LOCH EYNORT  Motor Vessel 1947 (1961) 1971 DMBL
KYLEAKIN (II) / LARGS Turntable Ferry 1960 1983 (03) CSPL
LOCH ARKAIG Motor Vessel 1942 (1960) 1979 (01) DMBL
GLEN SANNOX (III) Car Ferry 1957 1989 CSPL

LOCHALSH (II)

Turntable Ferry 1957 1979 (05) CSPL
ULVA Motor Launch 1956 2000 (01) DMBL
CLAYMORE (II) Motor Vessel 1955 1976 (01) DMBL
LOCH ARD Motor Vessel 1955 1971 DMBL
LOCH TOSCAIG Motor Vessel 1945 (1955) 1975 (01) DMBL
BUTE (VI) Car Ferry 1954 1979 CSPL

COWAL (II)

Car Ferry 1954 1979 CSPL
LOCHAILORT Motor Launch 1954 1969 DMBL
ARRAN Car Ferry 1953 1981 (04) CSPL
LOCHSHIEL Motor Launch 1953 1970 DMBL
MAID OF CUMBRAE Motor Vessel 1953 1978 CSPL
MAID OF SKELMORLIE Motor Vessel 1953 1973 CSPL
MAID OF ARGYLL Motor Vessel 1953 1974 CSPL
MAID OF ASHTON Motor Vessel 1953 1973 CSPL
MAID OF THE LOCH Paddle Steamer 1953 1982 CSPL
LOCH CARRON Motor Vessel 1951 1977 (01) DMBL
ERISKAY Motor Launch 1951 1969 DMBL
LOCHDUNVEGAN (I) Motor Vessel 1946 (1950) 1973 (01) DMBL
LOCH BROOM Motor Vessel 1946 (1948) 1971 DMBL
LOCHNELL Motor Vessel 1941 (1947) 1981 (01) DMBL
LOCH SEAFORTH Motor Vessel 1947 1973 (01) DMBL
WAVERLEY Paddle Steamer 1947 1974 CSPL
LOCHIEL Motor Vessel 1939 1970 DMBL
GARRY Motor Launch 1937 1969 DMBL

COUNTESS OF BREADALBANE

Motor Vessel 1936 1971 CSPL
KING GEORGE V Turbine Steamer 1926 (1935) 1975 DMBL
CALEDONIA (II) Paddle Steamer 1934 1970 CSPL
LOCHNEVIS (I) Motor Vessel 1934 1970 DMBL

QUEEN MARY II

Turbine Steamer 1933 1977 CSPL
DUCHESS OF HAMILTON Turbine Steamer 1932 1972 CSPL
LOCHFYNE Motor Vessel 1931 1970 DMBL
LOCHEARN Motor Vessel 1930 1964 DMBL

Notes:
01 - These vessels were not transferred to Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd in 1973 and remained David MacBrayne Ltd ships until 1980 or their preceding disposal.
02 - Was re-acquired in 1973 and retained till 1985
.
03 - Transferred to the Clyde in the spring of 1972, converted to 9-car bow-loading ferry and renamed LARGS, taking up the Largs-Cumbrae Slip service in July.
04 - Transferred to David MacBrayne Ltd. On 08/11/69 for Islay service and though the transfer was reversed shortly afterwards remained a MacBrayne vessel on charter terms until the CalMac merger in 1973.
05 - Transferred to David MacBrayne Ltd. in October 1971 for Scalpay station and renamed SCALPAY, on the demise of the older timber-built turntable ferry
of that name. She remained in David MacBrayne Ltd ownership until her disposal.
06 - Acquired origionaly in 1950; sold 1964; reacquired 1973.
08 - KILBRANNAN and MORVERN were both launched for David MacBrayne Ltd but registered in name of “Caledonian MacBrayne Services”, a brief association formed in February 1972 and which became registered owner of both vessels. Ironically, KILBRANNAN entered service in CSP colours and indeed was the last vessel in the fleet to have borne the yellow-and-black funnel.
09 - Bute Ferry Company.
10 - Canna appears in this list as she is owned by CMAL although she operates under charter to another company.

"CARS" Denotes a purpose built car carrying vessel and the average number of cars able to carry. Some older vessels could carry cars via a crane in there holds but this is classed as cargo so "0" is diplayed.

Short extracts from these profiles may be used so long as you have contacted us for permission and that credit is given to this website (www.shipsofcalmac.co.uk) with a full url published in printed material or embedded in your website.


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