Fleet news:
The following year is from a very report in Hebrides news: MV Glen Sannox is set to remain in the Western Isles for the rest of the winter season.
The new Ferguson Marine built vessel will not yet return to her designated route on the Clyde following latest changes to ferry movement plans.
Glen Sannox will carry out trials for operating the Stornoway - Ullapool freight service in early October, with the aim of cover this service with MV Isle of Lewis providing the regular daytime timetable throughout MV Loch Seaforth's overhaul between 19 October to 15 November 2026,
and as a result! MV Glen Sannox's own overhaul has been pushed back until 16 November, and she is expected to be available for service from 23 December 2026. New propellers are due to be fitted to Sannox in dry dock in a bid to resolve her serious vibration problem. Additional steel strengthening installed as a work-around will be removed. the year 2020-2029 the story continues the year 2027 Sannox will cover the Skye triangle service with regular vessel MV Hebrides is scheduled to be absent for the best part of four months. Over January the Hebrides will cover Inner Hebrides services while MV Clansman is in dry dock. The Clansman then resumes her own route.
The Hebrides then transfers to the Castlebay - Oban link as MV Isle of Lewis heads off for her month-long maintenance slot. MV Lord of the Isles will cover a few days at the beginning and end of the relief timetable under a shared service with Lochboisdale to Oban.
Extensive work is planned for MV Hebrides during an extended overhaul in early 2027.
She was originally listed for a three week dry docking in March.
This time period has more than doubled - with core dates from 1 March to 19 April.
Meanwhile, vehicle numbers will be severely curtailed on the Sound of Barra route during part of November into December.
During the overhaul of regular ship, MV Loch Alainn the much smaller MV Loch Riddon will transfer from Tobermory-Kilchoan to Barra.
This will allow MV Loch Bhrusda to be retained on the Sound of Harris, rather than the normal practice of acting as relief on the Eriskay - Barra link.
However, the Loch Riddon has room for only 10 cars compared to 24 deck spaces available on the Loch Alainn.
CalMac also revealed MV Isle of Islay, the first of the Turkish vessels, will operate as a spare vessel later in the winter.
Her place on her home route between Port Askaig - Kennacraig will be filled by another Turkish new-build, MV Loch Indaal, operating alongside MV Finlaggan.
Provided she arrives from Turkey in good time, Loch Indaal may even replace relief vessel MV Isle of Arran on the Port Askaig - Kennacraig service in February or March when the Islay is in overhaul.
A CalMac spokeswoman said:” MV Glen Sannox is required on the Little Minch from 2 January for the remainder of the winter timetable to allow MV Clansman and MV Hebrides to cover Coll, Tiree and Colonsay whilst the other vessel is in her own annual overhaul.
“We will keep MV Finlaggan on the Islay run once MV Loch Indaal enters service.
“MV Loch Indaal will take the place of MV Isle of Islay, freeing the latter up to act as a resilience vessel.
“The two new vessels will operate on Islay from the start of next summer's timetable.”
CalMac pointed out: “We have a challenging situation on the Sound of Harris this winter, as we anticipate the usual vessel MV Loch Portain will be out of service for most of the winter timetable period.
“Due to the uniqueness of the route, only a small number of our vessels are certified to operate on the Sound of Harris, and it is a vital inter-island service for commuters and medical patient travel all year round.”