52-753: Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd (also known as Western Ferries ) is a private ferry company with its headquarters in Hunters Quay , Scotland. It currently operates on the Firth of Clyde running a year-round, high-frequency vehicle carrying service between Hunters Quay , near Dunoon , and McInroy's Point , on the outskirts of Gourock in Inverclyde . In the mid-1960s the islands on the west coast of Scotland were served by two kinds of vessel; mail ferries operated by David MacBrayne Ltd and " puffers " – small bulk cargo vessels capable of landing at simple piers or on
104-546: A 15-minute service. At other times, three crossings per hour are provided whilst evenings and quieter times see a vessel depart every 30 minutes. In 2013 two new vessels were commissioned by Western. These were built by the Cammell Laird Shipyard in Merseyside . Entering the fleet that October as Sound of Soay and Sound of Seil this brought the fleet size to six but this dropped to four on disposal of
156-506: A carrying capacity of 400 passengers and 70 vehicles and services were expected to begin in 2012. In September 2011 managing director Gordon Ross announced that the Arran project was still alive but would be delayed by the uncertainty as to whether the Arran route will be tendered separately from the main CalMac bundle in 2013. The company has a high profile in the communities it serves. There
208-576: A fleet of four purpose-built car ferries. Hunters Quay Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 258617351 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 11:00:47 GMT Caledonian MacBrayne Caledonian MacBrayne ( Scottish Gaelic : Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn ), in short form CalMac ,
260-411: A general increase in trade so that a larger and faster vessel was required. Sound of Jura was ordered from Norway. She came into operation in 1969 with three sailings a day. The capital of the company was increased to £250,000. Western Ferries had already formed a very close working relationship with a local haulier. He opened depots near both ferry terminals so that trailers could be moved on and off
312-468: A new route across the Firth of Clyde between McInroy's Point ( Gourock ) and Hunters Quay using two modified Swedish vessels Sound of Scarba and Sound of Shuna . These had bow and stern ramps, allowing roll-on/roll-off operation. Traffic developed rapidly and in August 1974, the former Isle of Wight ferry, MV Lymington joined the service as Sound of Sanda . This crossing was much shorter than
364-752: A ten-year contract to provide a lifeline service to Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland . This service continued until 2008, when CalMac lost the tender. Various versions of a local poem (based loosely on Psalm 24) refer to MacBrayne's long dominance of Hebridean sailings: The Earth belongs unto the Lord And all that it contains Except the Kyles and the Western Isles And they are all MacBrayne's Several groups have proposed privatising
416-560: Is MV Loch Seaforth at 116 m (381 ft) in length. MV Finlaggan is almost 90 m (295 ft) long and able to carry 550 passengers with 88 cars. She was built in Poland at a cost of £24.5 million and operates the Islay service. The others are MV Isle of Lewis , MV Clansman , MV Hebrides , MV Caledonian Isles , MV Isle of Mull , MV Isle of Arran and MV Lord of
468-714: Is significant investment in employing local workers and in locally sourced goods and services. Funds are made available for the sponsorship of local groups, individuals, sports organisations and charities. Western Ferries sponsors local sporting events including the Cowal Highland Gathering . The company provides a call-out service through the night for the Scottish Ambulance Service , for ambulances carrying emergency cases to hospitals in Greenock , Paisley and Glasgow The company runs
520-646: Is the trade name of CalMac Ferries Ltd , the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries to the west coast of Scotland , serving ports on the mainland and 22 of the major islands. It is a subsidiary of holding company David MacBrayne , which is owned by the Scottish Government . Its predecessor, the government owned Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd , was formed in 1973 as a ferry owner and operator. In 2006 these functions were separated to meet EU requirements for competitive tendering . The company, renamed Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL), continued to own
572-756: The Caledonian MacBrayne fleet and assets. The contract for operating Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services using these vessels was put out to open competitive tender. and CalMac Ferries Ltd was created in October 2006 as a separate company to bid for the work. CalMac was awarded the contract, as well as a later competitive procurement process, and since 1 October 2007 has operated the services. CalMac operates 35 ferries, with one, MV Glen Sannox , currently undergoing crew familiarisation and harbour berthing trials ahead of being introduced into service. A further 5 vessels are currently under construction for
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#1732791647688624-728: The Caledonian Steam Packet Company . Their funnels were painted yellow with a black top. At the same time, the North British Railway fleet became part of the London and North Eastern Railway (which built the PS ; Waverley in 1947). With nationalisation in 1948, the LMS and LNER fleets were amalgamated under British Railways with the name Clyde Shipping Services . In 1957, a reorganisation restored
676-591: The Firth of Clyde through the Crinan Canal to Oban and Fort William , and on through the Caledonian Canal to Inverness . Services were later added to Islay and the Outer Hebrides . In 1928, the company ran into financial difficulties, and the business was acquired by Coast Lines and the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS Railway). In 1948, the shares in the company owned by
728-669: The North British Railway and the Glasgow and South Western Railway . It extended its line to bypass the G&;SW's Prince's Pier at Greenock and continue on to the fishing village of Gourock , where they had purchased the harbour. After years of fierce competition between all the fleets, the Caledonian and G&SW were merged in 1923 into the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and their fleets were amalgamated into
780-486: The Royal Bank of Scotland named NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries won the tender for the subsidised Northern Isles services, previously run by P&O Scottish Ferries , commencing in 2002. The ambitious programme ran into financial difficulties, and the service was again put out to tender. Caledonian MacBrayne won this tender, and formed a separate company called NorthLink Ferries Limited which began operating
832-576: The Arran service) was launched on 21 November 2017, handed over in November 2024, and expected to enter service in early 2025. Repeated delays saw the delivery date of the second, MV Glen Rosa (the second Arran ferry) slip to September 2025. A £91 million contract to build two ferries for the Islay service was awarded to Cemre Shipyard in Turkey in March 2022. The first steel for two ferries
884-579: The CSP name, and in 1965 a red lion was added to each side of the black-topped yellow funnels. The headquarters remained at Gourock pierhead. At the end of December 1968, management of the CSP passed to the Scottish Transport Group , which gained control of MacBrayne's the following June. The MacBrayne service from Gourock to Ardrishaig ended on 30 September 1969, leaving the Clyde entirely to
936-518: The CSP. On 1 January 1973, the Caledonian Steam Packet Co. acquired most of the ships and routes of MacBrayne's and commenced joint Clyde and West Highland operations under the new name of Caledonian MacBrayne, with a combined headquarters at Gourock. Funnels were now painted red with a black top, and a yellow circle at the side of the funnel featuring the red Caledonian lion. In 1974, a new car ferry service from Gourock to Dunoon
988-680: The Clyde: MV ; Chieftain is leased from I'm Clyde Marine Services for the Gourock to Kilcreggan service. MV Alfred is a catamaran ferry owned by Pentland Ferries , currently on charter to CalMac for the Arran service. The smallest vessel in the fleet is MV Carvoria , built in Shetland for the Kerrera route. The first of two dual fuel ferries under construction by Ferguson Marine Engineering , Glen Sannox (for
1040-672: The Eileann Sea Service. With the help of an HIDB loan a landing craft type vessel, Isle of Gigha was constructed and started operation in the middle of the seaman's strike. But in November the ship capsized and this put the company in financial difficulty. If anything further were to happen, more money and technical back-up would be needed. A group of Scottish businessmen having special interest in shipping and haulage matters, many of whom also had local interest in Islay and Jura , subscribed £100,000 capital and Western Ferries
1092-598: The Gourock to Dunoon, and Rathlin to Ballycastle services. Following a European Commission decision not to subsidise a passenger and vehicle service, the route was again put out to tender. In May 2011, Argyll Ferries Ltd , a newly formed subsidiary of David MacBrayne, was named as the preferred bidder for a passenger-only Dunoon-Gourock service. The timetable was extended into the early hours at weekends, with additional sailings integrated with rail services. Two passenger-only ferries, MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer (formerly MV Banrion Chonomara ), were arranged for
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#17327916476881144-569: The Isles . The tenth "major unit", MV Glen Sannox , due to enter service on the Troon-Brodick route in early 2025, was handed over to Calmac on 21 November 2024, and is now undergoing crew familiarisation and harbour berthing trials. There are 13 "Loch Class" vessels in different shapes and sizes. These double-ended ferries are mostly symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern (although in official documents
1196-640: The LMS Railway passed to the British Transport Commission , thus partially nationalising it. In July 1969, Coast Line's 50% shareholding passed into state ownership, so that the company became wholly nationalised, and all the shares were transferred to the state-owned Scottish Transport Group . The Caledonian Railway at first used the services of various early private operators of Clyde steamers , then began operating steamers on its own account on 1 January 1889 to compete better with
1248-675: The Lewis community, particularly the Lord's Day Observance Society and the Free Church of Scotland . However, CalMac stated that EU equality legislation made it unlawful to refuse a service to the whole community because of the religious beliefs of a part of it. During the COVID-19 pandemic , CalMac operated a much reduced timetable. From 22 March 2020, they provided a turn up and go service to ensure essential goods and services were delivered to
1300-677: The Northern Isles ferry service on 6 July 2006. On 29 May 2012, NorthLink Ferries Ltd lost the contract for provision of the Northern Isles ferry services to Serco . To meet the requirements of a European Union guideline on state aid to maritime transport, the company's routes were put out to open tender. To enable competitive bidding on an equal basis, Caledonian MacBrayne was split into two separate companies on 1 October 2006. Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) retained ownership of CalMac vessels and infrastructure, including harbours, while CalMac Ferries Ltd submitted tenders to be
1352-953: The Uig triangle, with Lord of the Isles and Isle of Arran providing services to Lochboisdale, Coll/Tiree and Colonsay from Oban. Hebridean Isles operated to Arran (22 April – 2 May) and Islay (27 May – 2 June) while Caledonian Isles and Finlaggan were out of service. Unused vessels were laid up: Hebridean Isles in Campbeltown; Coruisk at Craignure; Loch Riddon , Loch Linnhe and Loch Fyne at Sandbank; Loch Bhrusda in Mallaig (covered Sound of Barra service while Loch Alainn in Troon); Argyle and Isle of Cumbrae in Rothesay and Isle of Arran in Troon. 31 of
1404-411: The beach to discharge coal, lime etc. MacBrayne's also operated cargo vessels out of Glasgow . None of these vessels was equipped to deal with road transport. Three car ferries operated by MacBrayne's were all side-loading and not suited to carrying the sharply increasing growth in tourist traffic or commercial vehicles. In 1966 three people engaged in contracting work on the west coast decided to set up
1456-643: The block of routes, but CalMac retained all its existing routes. During September 2006, David MacBrayne Group Ltd acquired the entire share capital of CalMac Ferries Ltd. Thus, from leaving the hands of David MacBrayne 78 years earlier in 1928, the west coast ferry service returned to the fold in 2006, vastly enlarged. At the time, no bids were made for the separate Gourock–Dunoon route and the service continued as before. In August 2006, David MacBrayne Group Ltd directed two of its subsidiary companies, Cowal Ferries Ltd and Rathlin Ferries Ltd, to take over operation of
1508-552: The company bought another former Sealink ferry, the Freshwater . She entered service as Sound of Seil in 1986. A further vessel, the Sound of Sleat , a former Dutch river ferry (ex de Hoorn ) was added two years later. Two further ferries were purchased from Dutch owners, in 1995 and 1996. Both Sound of Scalpay and the second Sound of Sanda replaced older vessels. In 2001, Ferguson Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow delivered
1560-666: The designation of such is given). MV Loch Portain is able to handle Force 7 gales and carry 36 cars and 149 passengers, with a crew of five. A new "super loch", MV Loch Shira , entered service in 2007 on the Largs – Cumbrae route. Similar in outward appearance to the Loch Class vessels are the three diesel-electric ferries built by Ferguson Marine Engineering : MV Hallaig (2013; for Raasay ), MV Lochinvar (2013; for Tarbert ) and MV Catriona (2015; for Lochranza ). MV Lochnevis (2000)
1612-477: The existing boat to Islay, and offered lower rates without the benefit of subsidy. Unlike its competitor, it operated seven days a week, at night if required, and was punctual. It was immediately successful not only in taking the traffic which had formerly used mail or cargo services but also in converting much of the bulk trade which had formerly travelled in "puffers" to using trailers, thus saving on time, handling, breakage, pilferage and port dues. Lower rates led to
Western Ferries - Misplaced Pages Continue
1664-452: The ferry operator. Their bid for the main bundle, Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services , succeeded and on 1 October 2007 CalMac Ferries Ltd began operating these services on a six-year contract. The Gourock to Dunoon service was the subject of a separate tender, but no formal bids were made. In an interim arrangement, CalMac Ferries Ltd continued to provide a subsidised service on this route, until 29 June 2011, when Argyll Ferries took over
1716-460: The fleet. The company serves over 50 ports and harbours on the west coast of Scotland, with CMAL owning 16 of these ports and harbours. Caledonian MacBrayne operate on average over 162,700 sailings annually. 2018 was the company's busiest in terms of passenger numbers, carrying an estimated 5,309,771 passengers. MacBrayne's, initially known as David Hutcheson & Co., began in 1851 as a private steamship operator when G. and J. Burns , operators of
1768-580: The islands. There were no reservations and no onboard retail facilities. Timetables were modified to meet local needs, with occasional additional crossings and extended layovers. The Portavadie, Campbeltown and Armadale services were cancelled. Crossing frequencies were reduced on other routes, with single vessels at Rothesay, Largs and Kennacraig. On the smaller vessels, vehicle occupants were required to remain in their vehicle. Until Hebrides returned from dry dock in Liverpool, Clansman remained on
1820-487: The largest commercial vehicle permitted on the road, or six cars). This effectively joined Islay and Jura and increased the traffic to the mainland. Jura was now served by three through sailings a day instead of three per week and both islands could now enjoy things which had hitherto been luxuries, like fresh fruit. In 1970, the Sound of Islay began the Campbeltown ( Kintyre ) – Red Bay (Northern Ireland) service and
1872-419: The largest of the Clyde fleets, decided to concentrate on coastal and transatlantic services and handed control of their river and Highland steamers to a new company in which Hutcheson, their manager of these services, became senior partner. One of the other partners was David MacBrayne (1817–1907), nephew of Messrs. Burns. In 1878, the company passed to David MacBrayne. Their main route went from Glasgow down
1924-425: The parallel Caledonian MacBrayne Public Service route. Although CalMac's vessels were considerably faster, their longer route meant that both operators took around 20 minutes to make the crossing. The simpler ro-ro service was regular, frequent and ran from 7 am until 10 pm.In 1985, after the Clyde service was transferred to Western Ferries (Clyde) Ltd, new tonnage was sought and appeared in early 1986 when
1976-590: The run. When the service began on 30 June 2011, preparation of the Argyll Flyer was incomplete, and as an interim measure the cruise boat MV Clyde Clipper was leased from Clyde Cruises. Argyll Ferries was incorporated into Caledonian MacBrayne on 21 January 2019. On 14 July 2009, it was announced that CalMac would begin Sunday sailings to Stornoway on Lewis from Sunday 19 July. These had historically faced strong opposition from Sabbatarian elements in
2028-515: The second Sound of Scarba , the company's first new ferry for the service. The old vessel was sold after a few years of mooring in the Holy Loch . A new Sound of Shuna followed in October 2003. Between late 2006 and September 2007 facilities at both ports were restructured. The car marshalling areas were enlarging and a second linkspan was installed at both Hunters Quay and McInroys Point. All four ferries operate during peak periods, providing
2080-484: The second vessel following in the second quarter of 2025. In October 2022 it was announced that two further vessels would be built to a very similar specification as the ferries under construction for Islay. CMAL signed a contract in January 2023 for Cemre Shipyard to also build the two ferries, which would allow a dedicated, peak season services to Tarbert and Lochmaddy from Uig and provide additional resilience in
2132-527: The service, and there has been a long commercial and political struggle with a privately owned company, Western Ferries , which has run a rival unsubsidised service from Gourock to Hunters Quay (near Dunoon ) since 1973. In 2005, the Scottish Executive put the collective Hebrides routes out to competitive tender, with the Dunoon route being a separate tender. Some island and union groups opposed
Western Ferries - Misplaced Pages Continue
2184-521: The service. The company enjoys a de facto monopoly on the shipment of freight and vehicles to the islands, and competes for passenger traffic with a number of aircraft services of varying quality and reliability. Nonetheless, few if any of the routes currently operated by CalMac are profitable, and the company receives significant government subsidies due to its vital role in supplying the islands: these routes are classified as "lifeline" services. In 1996, CalMac opened its first route outside Scotland, winning
2236-500: The tendering process, fearing it would lead to cuts in services and could be a prelude to full privatisation. During the tendering period, the company of David MacBrayne Ltd, which had been legally dormant for many years, was re-activated on 4 July 2006. David MacBrayne Group Ltd acquired the full share capital of NorthLink Ferries Ltd , and took over operations of the NorthLink routes on 6 July 2006. Three operators submitted bids for
2288-403: The two oldest vessels ( Scalpay and Sanda ). The company employs 57 staff including six directors of whom 50 live in the Dunoon area. In early January 2010, the company announced that it was to commence a high frequency, low fare route between Ardrossan and Brodick in direct competition to publicly owned Caledonian MacBrayne . They stated that they were planning to build a new vessel with
2340-419: The vessels operated by CalMac, plus MV Glen Sannox , are owned by the asset holding company CMAL. Two ferries, MV Ali Cat and MV Argyll Flyer , are directly owned by CalMac, and a further two, MV Alfred and MV Chieftain , are on charter from other owners. Of the vessel, ten can be categorised as "major units" – ships of 80 m (262 ft) or more in length. The largest
2392-598: The vessels quickly without drivers and tractors units having to cross with them. He provided a parcel service as well as bulk service, and with dedication, grass roots expertise and low rates he built a thriving business. At the beginning of 1969 the Port Askaig (Islay) – Feolin ( Jura ) service began – a high frequency service across a short stretch of water with a landing craft type vessel (the Isle of Gigha now modified and renamed Sound of Gigha , capable of carrying
2444-408: Was cut at a ceremony in Turkey in October 2022, with the second vessel's being done in January 2023, in the same week as the first vessel's keel was laid. In May 2023, the same week as the second vessel's keel was laid, it was announced that these ferries would be named MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal . Isle of Islay is expected to be delivered by the first quarter of 2025, with
2496-623: Was designed for the Small Isles service. MV Bute (2005) and MV Argyle (2007), both built in Gdańsk , are on the Wemyss Bay – Rothesay route. In 2022, a Norwegian ferry was purchased for the Mull service; after modification it entered service as MV Loch Frisa . MV Ali Cat , MV Argyll Flyer and MV Chieftain are passenger-only vessels that operate on
2548-620: Was introduced with the ferries MV Jupiter and MV Juno . In 1990, the ferry business was spun off as a separate company, keeping the Caledonian MacBrayne brand, and shares were issued in the company. All shares were owned by the state, first in the person of the Secretary of State for Scotland , and (after devolution ) by the Scottish Government. A joint venture between Caledonian MacBrayne and
2600-409: Was set up. Sound of Islay was ordered from Ferguson Brothers (Port Glasgow) Ltd. of Port Glasgow . She was designed to carry 20 cars or a combination of cars and commercial vehicles. She was launched amid a storm of derision. Trading began on 7 April 1968 between Kennacraig , West Loch Tarbert , and Islay. The service provided a new roll-on/roll-off facility, operated twice as frequently as
2652-695: Was subsidised by the Government leaving Western unable to compete. Western Ferries started to lose traffic to the new ferry, and after receiving an offer from the Mexican Government, sold Sound of Jura in 1976. They continued to serve Islay until 1981 using Sound of Islay when she too was withdrawn, unable to keep pace with the heavily subsidised CalMac, and was sold to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, where she remains in service to this day. In June 1973, Western Ferries opened
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#17327916476882704-676: Was successful with the initial help of a cement strike in Ireland and a dock strike in England. Attempts to keep up a winter service, primarily with timber, were unsuccessful. The Sound of Islay however, under Captain Alister Meenan, took over the Kennacraig - Port Askaig route offering, for the first time, a reliable and punctual service. Caledonian MacBrayne positioned a new ferry on the same route in 1974. The new Cal-Mac service
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