The Caledonian MacBrayne fleet is the largest fleet of car and passenger ferries in the United Kingdom, with 34 ferries in operation, 2 on charter and another 6 on order. The company provides lifeline services to 23 islands off the west coast of Scotland, as well as operating routes in the Firth of Clyde.
Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) vessels can be readily identified by their black hulls and white superstructures. They have red funnels with black caps that display the Lion Rampant badge with masts in buff. The fleet can be categorised into various groups. Vessels are owned by the asset holding company Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited which is in turn, like CalMac, wholly owned by the Scottish Government.
There are presently ten vessels over 80 metres (260 feet) in length in the CalMac fleet: MV Isle of Arran, MV Hebridean Isles, MV Isle of Mull, MV Lord of the Isles, MV Caledonian Isles, MV Isle of Lewis, MV Clansman, MV Hebrides, MV Finlaggan, and MV Loch Seaforth. These vessels usually operate on the longer crossings, with high passenger numbers.
MV Loch Seaforth, at 116 m (381 ft) in length the largest vessel in the fleet, operates on the Ullapool to Stornoway, Lewis crossing. MV Caledonian Isles has the highest passenger capacity and can carry 1000 people on the Ardrossan to Brodick, Arran crossing. MV Hebrides crosses The Minch from Uig, Skye, while MV Isle of Mull, and MV Clansman are based in Oban, serving Mull, Colonsay, Coll, Tiree and in the summer and for relief Barra. MV Isle of Lewis is based in Castlebay, serving Barra, sailing to Oban. MV Lord of the Isles is based in Lochboisdale, serving South Uist, sailing to Mallaig. MV Finlaggan and MV Hebridean Isles serve Islay and Colonsay from Kennacraig. [1] During the summer, MV Isle of Arran, replaced at Islay in 2011, [2] supplements the Ardrossan - Brodick service and sails to Campbeltown. She is a spare vessel during the winter months.
Two new dual fuel ferries are being built by Ferguson Marine Engineering. [3] The first, named MV Glen Sannox is due to enter service at Ardrossan, [4] and is now scheduled for delivery by 30 September 2024. [5] [6] The second, MV Glen Rosa, is expected to be launched on 12 March 2024 and delivered by 31 May 2025. [7] See also ferry fiasco for the political controversies surrounding the construction of these units.
Four other identical new vessels, ordered in two batches, from Cemre Marin Endustri, Turkey are due to be delivered between October 2024 and February 2025. [8] The first two will be used on the Islay service, and will be named MV Isle of Islay and MV Loch Indaal. [9] The second two will be used on the Uig to Lochmaddy and Tarbert routes, and will be named MV Claymore and MV Lochmor. [10] [11] All apart from the first vessel being built in Turkey has a raised aft mooring deck due to the higher piers on the Uig Triangle. [12]
The Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route is operated by two vessels, built in Poland, MV Bute (delivered in spring 2005) and MV Argyle, which entered service in 2007. There was much controversy following the decision to award the shipbuilding contracts to yards outside Scotland. [13] The streakers' removal from Rothesay was delayed by pier work to install an end-loading linkspan, allowing full ro-ro operation. [13]
The former Clyde ferries, MV Jupiter, MV Juno and MV Saturn had provided the Dunoon and Rothesay services for the best part of 35 years. They were nicknamed the "streakers", because of their speed and ability to manoeuvre rapidly both at sea and in port. Juno and Jupiter were withdrawn from service in 2010, and by June 2011 Juno had been broken up at Rosneath, [14] meanwhile Jupiter was sold to breakers in Denmark for recycling in that month. [15]
From 2002, the service to Dunoon was supplemented by passenger catamaran MV Ali Cat, owned by Solent and Wightline Cruises and chartered by CalMac from Red Funnel Line. [16] MV Saturn last served Dunoon on 29 June 2011, and was then scheduled to operate the summer relief on the Arran crossing. [17] From 30 June 2011, the Gourock - Dunoon service was awarded on a passenger-only basis to the newly formed David MacBrayne Ltd subsidiary Argyll Ferries. [18] Argyll Ferries purchased MV Ali Cat and a former Irish boat renamed MV Argyll Flyer to serve the route. Argyll Flyer was not available for the start of the passenger-only service due to prop shaft problems. The company leased the cruise boat MV Clyde Clipper from Clyde Cruises to start the service, but she was out of service with engine problems for most of the first day. [19]
The Loch class are a group of smaller vessels with a single car deck, running the length of the ship, with a ramp at each end. They vary in length from 30.2 to 54.27 m (99 ft 1 in to 178 ft 1 in). Most are symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern. Passenger accommodation is down one or both sides of the ship. MV Loch Portain, MV Loch Buie and MV Loch Shira also have a lounge above the car deck. They operate on shorter crossings, usually between 5 and 30 minutes, although MV Loch Alainn, MV Loch Portain, and MV Loch Striven take 40, 60 and 55 minutes on their respective routes, Sound of Barra between Ardmhor and Eriskay, Sound of Harris between Berneray and Leverburgh, and Oban and Lismore.
The original four Loch class vessels were based on MV Isle of Cumbrae. At 30.2 m (99 ft 1 in) in length, they can carry 12 cars and 200 passengers. [1] The largest and newest, MV Loch Shira, is 54.27 by 13.90 m (178 ft 1 in by 45 ft 7 in) and can carry 32 cars and 250 passengers. [1] She was built for and has run on the Largs to Cumbrae route since 2007. A mere 7 cm (3 in) shorter, MV Loch Fyne and MV Loch Dunvegan were built for the Skye crossing. They were made redundant by the opening of the Skye Bridge and eventually found redeployment elsewhere after some time laid up.
Of similar design, but larger than the Loch class, MV Hallaig was launched in 2012 for the Raasay service. She is powered by a hybrid combination of batteries and a small diesel engine - a world first for a sea-going RO-RO vessel. [20] A second hybrid ferry, MV Lochinvar, was launched in May 2013 for the Tarbert to Portavadie route. [21] The third hybrid ferry, MV Catriona, was launched on 11 December 2015 and entered service on the Claonaig to Lochranza route in September 2016. [22]
CMAL are currently undergoing a design and tender process for new battery-powered Loch Class ferries. The first phase is expected to consist of seven vessels being delivered between 2025 and 2028. They will be 49.9m long and have the capacity for 24/25 cars and 150 passengers or 15/16 cars and 250 passengers, depending on the design and route they will be on. There will be another phase for the ferries that do longer journeys or have port or sea constraints; these will be assigned to the Sound of Barra, Sound of Harris, Oban - Lismore and Mallaig - Armadale crossings. [23] [24]
MV Argyll Flyer (244 passengers) and the catamaran MV Ali Cat (250 passengers) are passenger-only ferries used on the Gourock - Dunoon service. The ferries, formerly operated by Argyll Ferries, were acquired when the company was incorporated into Caledonian MacBrayne in January 2019. [25]
MV Chieftain is a passenger-only vessel chartered from Clyde Marine Services to operate the Gourock to Kilcreggan service since 1 June 2020. She has the capacity for 80 passengers.
There are five vessels in the fleet which cannot be listed in the above categories.
MV Carvoria is a 12-metre-long (39-foot) vessel used on the Kerrera service. She was built in 2017 by Malakoff Limited in Shetland. She is a bow loading vessel of similar design to the old Island Class vessels and can take twelve passengers and one car, although due to vehicle restrictions on Kerrera she rarely carries cars. She is the smallest vessel in the fleet.
MV Coruisk is a 65 m (213 ft) "sheltered water vessel", operating on the Mallaig to Armadale route in summer, and relieving on the Clyde in winter. [26] Her design allows her to make the crossing in reverse when sea conditions allow. [26]
MV Lochnevis is a highly specialised ship serving the Small Isles of Eigg, Canna, Rùm and Muck from Mallaig. She is 49.2 m (161 ft 5 in) long, and has capacity for 190 passengers. Her vehicle deck can accommodate up to 14 cars, but is empty on most sailings due to the lack of roads and vehicle restrictions on the Small Isles. She is instead used mostly for goods and vital equipment for the islands. Lochnevis has a surprisingly large vehicle ramp, which dominates her appearance. [27] This allows her to berth a considerable distance from slipways, protecting her exposed Azipod propulsion systems in shallow waters.
MV Loch Frisa is a former Norled ferry bought by Caledonian MacBrayne in 2021. She was built in 2015 as Utne and operated for Norled for 6 years. She is a double-ender ferry with passenger capacity for 195, and capacity for 40 cars, or 4 HGVs. She measures 50 m (164 ft 1 in) long by 14.5 m (47 ft 7 in) metres wide. [28] [29] Following a naming competition, CMAL announced renaming as MV Loch Frisa. [30]
MV Alfred is a 84.5 m (277 ft) catamaran ferry chartered from Pentland Ferries for 9 months from April 2023. [31] She can carry 98 cars and 430 passengers. She operated the Ardrossan - Brodick route from May to September 2023. Berthing trials at Stornoway [32] in October 2023 were unsuccessful. She underwent bow thruster repairs before taking over the Arran service, allowing Caledonian Isles to carry out berthing trials at Islay, Colonsay, Mull, Coll & Tiree. Her charter was extended by 6 months on 6 November 2023 to last until 21 August 2024. [33] During November and December, due to a technical issue with MV Loch Portain, Alfred provided a service between Tarbert and Lochmaddy. [34] She then partnered Isle of Arran on the Arran service during Caledonian Isles ' overhaul. In July 2024 it was announce that the charter has been extended for a further six months until March 2025 [35]
Name | Cars | Passengers | Type | Routes | Launched | Shipbuilder | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MV Isle of Cumbrae | 18 | 160 | Double Ended Car ferry | Tarbert - Portavadie (Summer) Relief vessel (Winter) | 1976 | Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon | ![]() |
MV Isle of Arran | 76 | 448 | Car ferry | Ardrossan - Brodick [36] | 1983 | Ferguson Ailsa Ltd, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Hebridean Isles | 68 | 507 | Car ferry | Kennacraig – Port Askaig/Port Ellen Kennacraig – Port Askaig - Colonsay - Oban Relief (Winter) | 1985 | Cochrane Shipbuilders Ltd, Selby | ![]() |
MV Loch Striven | 12 | 203 | Double Ended Car ferry | Oban - Achnacroish, Lismore | 1986 | Richard Dunston, Hessle | ![]() |
MV Loch Linnhe | 12 | 203 | Double Ended Car ferry | Relief vessel | 1986 | Richard Dunston, Hessle | ![]() |
MV Loch Riddon | 12 | 203 | Double Ended Car ferry | Largs - Cumbrae Slip (Tattie Pier)(summer) Relief vessel (winter) | 1986 | Richard Dunston, Hessle | ![]() |
MV Loch Ranza | 12 | 203 | Double Ended Car ferry | Tayinloan - Ardminish, Gigha | 1986 | Richard Dunston, Hessle | ![]() |
MV Isle of Mull | 80 | 962 | Car ferry | Oban - Craignure Oban - Scalasaig (Winter Only) Oban - Castlebay / Lochboisdale (Winter Relief) | 1987 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Lord of the Isles | 56 | 505 | Car ferry | Mallaig - Lochboisdale Oban - Lochboisdale (Winter Only) Oban - Arinagour - Scarinish (Winter Relief) Oban - Scalasaig (Winter Relief) | 1989 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Dunvegan III | 36 | 200 | Double Ended Car ferry | Colintraive - Rhubodach | 1991 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Fyne II | 36 | 200 | Double Ended Car ferry | Mallaig - Armadale (Summer) Relief vessel (Winter) | 1991 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Buie III | 10 | 250 | Double Ended Car ferry | Fionnphort - Baile Mòr, Iona | 1991 | J W Miller & Sons Ltd, St Monans | ![]() |
MV Loch Tarbert | 18 | 142 | Double Ended Car ferry | Tobermory - Kilchoan Relief (Winter) | 1992 | J W Miller & Sons Ltd, St Monans | ![]() |
MV Caledonian Isles | 110 | 1000 | Car ferry | Out of service until further notice [37] | 1993 | Richards (Shipbuilders) Ltd, Suffolk | |
MV Isle of Lewis | 123 | 680 | Car ferry | Oban - Castlebay Ullapool - Stornoway (Winter Relief) | 1995 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Bhrusda | 18 | 150 | Double Ended Car ferry | Relief vessel | 1996 | McTay Marine, Merseyside | ![]() |
MV Loch Alainn | 24 | 150 | Double Ended Car ferry | Ardmhòr - Eriskay | 1997 | Buckie Shipbuilders Ltd | ![]() |
MV Clansman V | 100 | 638 | Car ferry | Oban - Arinagour - Scarinish ( - Castlebay (Summer Only)) Oban - Scalasaig Oban - Craignure (Winter Only) | 1998 | Appledore Shipbuilders, Devon | ![]() |
MV Ali Cat | 0 | 250 | Passenger catamaran | Gourock - Dunoon | 1999 | South Boats of East Cowes | ![]() |
MV Lochnevis II | 14 | 190 | Car ferry | Mallaig - Rùm - Canna - Eigg - Muck Mallaig - Armadale (Winter) | 2000 | Ailsa Shipbuilding Company, Troon | ![]() |
MV Hebrides III | 100 | 612 | Car ferry | Uig - Lochmaddy / Tarbert | 2000 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Argyll Flyer | 0 | 244 | Passenger ferry | Gourock - Dunoon | 2001 | OCEA, France | ![]() |
MV Loch Portain | 32 | 146 | Double Ended Car ferry | Leverburgh - Berneray | 2003 | Feniks, Gdańsk and McTay Marine | ![]() |
MV Coruisk III | 40 | 250 | Almost Double Ended Car ferry | Mallaig - Armadale (Summer) Wemyss Bay - Rothesay (Winter relief) | 2003 | Appledore Shipbuilders, Devon | ![]() |
MV Bute VII | 60 | 450 | Car ferry | Wemyss Bay - Rothesay | 2005 | Remontowa Group, Poland | ![]() |
MV Argyle VII | 60 | 450 | Car ferry | Wemyss Bay - Rothesay | 2006 | Remontowa Group, Poland | ![]() |
MV Loch Shira | 36 | 250 | Double Ended Car ferry | Largs - Cumbrae Slip (Tattie Pier) | 2006 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Chieftain II (on charter) | 0 | 80 | Passenger ferry | Gourock - Kilcreggan | 2007 | Voyager Boatyard | ![]() |
MV Finlaggan | 85 | 550 | Car ferry | Kennacraig – Port Askaig/Port Ellen Kennacraig – Port Askaig - Colonsay (Winter) | 2010 | Remontowa Group, Poland | ![]() |
MV Hallaig | 23 | 150 | Double Ended Hybrid Car ferry | Sconser - Clachan, Raasay | 2012 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Lochinvar II | 23 | 150 | Double Ended Hybrid Car ferry | Lochaline - Fishnish | 2013 | Ferguson Shipbuilders, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Seaforth II | 143 | 700 | Car ferry | Ullapool - Stornoway | 2014 | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Germany | ![]() |
MV Catriona | 23 | 150 | Double Ended Hybrid Car ferry | Claonaig – Lochranza (summer) Tarbert – Portavadie (winter) Tarbert – Lochranza (winter) | 2015 | Ferguson Marine, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Loch Frisa II | 40 | 195 | Double Ended Car ferry | Oban - Craignure | 2015 | Sefine Shipyard, Turkey | ![]() |
MV Carvoria | 1 | 12 | Car Landing Craft | Gallanach - Kerrera | 2017 | Malakoff Limited, Lerwick, Shetland | ![]() |
MV Alfred (on charter) | 98 | 430 | Catamaran Car Ferry | Ardrossan - Brodick (May - Sept, Nov 2023, Jan 2024) Tarbert - Lochmaddy (Nov - Dec 2023) Troon - Brodick (March 2024 -) | 2019 | Strategic Marine, Vietnam | ![]() |
Name | Cars | Passengers | Type | Routes | Build Details | Shipbuilder | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MV Glen Sannox | 127 | 852 [38] | LNG Hybrid Car ferry | Troon - Brodick (initially) [39] Ardrossan - Brodick | Launched 2017, Delivery due by end September 2024 [40] | Ferguson Marine, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Glen Rosa | 127 | 852 [38] | LNG Hybrid Car ferry | Troon - Brodick (initially) [39] Ardrossan - Brodick [41] | Under Construction, Delivery 31 May 2025 Launched 9 April 2024 [42] | Ferguson Marine, Port Glasgow | ![]() |
MV Isle of Islay | 107 | 450 [43] | Car Ferry | Kennacraig – Port Askaig/Port Ellen | Under Construction, Delivery end of 2024 [44] [8] | Cemre Marin Endustri, Turkey | MV Isle of Islay image on CMAL website |
MV Loch Indaal | 107 | 450 | Car Ferry | Kennacraig – Port Askaig/Port Ellen Kennacraig – Port Askaig - Colonsay - Oban | Under Construction, Delivery February 2025 [8] | Cemre Marin Endustri, Turkey | |
MV Claymore | 107 | 450 | Car Ferry | Uig - Lochmaddy | Under Construction, Delivery June 2025 [12] | Cemre Marin Endustri, Turkey | |
MV Lochmor | 107 | 450 | Car Ferry | Uig - Tarbert | Under Construction, Delivery October 2025 [12] | Cemre Marin Endustri, Turkey |
Vessel Name | Built | Entered Service | Year Left | Additional Information | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
FB Laig Bay | 2000 | 2000 | 2004 | Eigg Tender | |
MV Gylen Lady | 1999 | 1 July 2017 [45] | 5 Sept 2017 | Continues to do relief duties to cover for the overhaul of MV Cavoria. | ![]() |
MV Arrow | 1998 | July 2021 Jan 2023 Nov 2023 | Sept 2021 Mar 2023 Nov 2023 | Charter vessel from Seatruck Ferries and Isle of Man Steam Packet Co. for Stornoway freight service. | ![]() |
MV Clipper Ranger | 1998 | 2013 | 2015 | Charter vessel from Seatruck Ferries for Stornoway freight service. | ![]() |
MV Muirneag | 1979 | Sept 2002 | Sept 2013 | Charter vessel from Harrison's (Clyde) Ltd for Stornoway freight service. | ![]() |
MV Hascosay | 1971 | May 2002 | Aug 2002 | Charter vessel from NorthLink Ferries for Stornoway freight service. | ![]() |
MV Lochmor II | 1979 | 1979 | 2001 | ![]() | |
MV Claymore III | 1978 | 1978 Oct 1997 | May 1997 Apr 1998 | Sold to Sea Container Service Ltd then to Pentland Ferries. She was chartered back 1997/8. | ![]() |
MV Saturn | 1977 | 1977 | 2011 | Sold to Pentland Ferries, renamed MV Orcadia. | ![]() |
MV Raasay | 1976 | 1976 | 2018 | ![]() | |
MV Canna | 1975 | 1975 | 2017 | ![]() | |
MV Eigg II | 1974 | 1974 | 2018 | ![]() | |
MV Juno III | 1974 | 1974 | 2010 | Scrapped | ![]() |
MV Pioneer III | 1974 | 1974 | 2004 | ![]() | |
MV Suilven | 1974 | 1974 | 1995 | ![]() | |
MV Jupiter II | 1973 | 1974 | 2011 | Scrapped | ![]() |
MV Bruernish | 1973 | 1973 | 2006 | | |
MV Coll II | 1973 | 1973 | 1998 | ![]() | |
MV Rhum | 1973 | 1973 | 1998 | ![]() | |
MV Morvern | 1972 | 1972, 1973 | 1995 | From David MacBrayne | |
MV Kilbrannan | 1972 | 1972, 1973 | 1992 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Lochalsh III | 1971 | 1971, 1973 | 1991 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Iona VII | 1970 | 1970, 1973 Apr 1998 Nov 2008 | 1997 May 1998 Dec 2008 | From David MacBrayne. Sold to Pentland Ferries renamed MV Pentalina-B. Chartered back to CalMac twice. | |
MV Kyleakin III | 1970 | 1970, 1973 | 1991 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Coruisk II | 1969 | 1969, 1973 | 1986 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Broadford II | 1967 | 1967, 1973 | 1987 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Caledonia III | 1966 | 1970, 1973 | 1988 | From Caledonian Steam Packet, former MV Stena Baltica | ![]() |
MV Portree II | 1965 | 1965, 1973 | 1987 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Columba II | 1964 | 1964, 1973 | 1989 | From David MacBrayne, current MV Hebridean Princess | ![]() |
MV Clansman IV | 1964 | 1964, 1973 | 1984 | From David MacBrayne | ![]() |
MV Hebrides II | 1963 | 1963, 1973 | 1985 | From David MacBrayne | ![]() |
FB Iona VI | 1962 | 1962, 1973 | 1988 | From David MacBrayne, Iona - Staffa Tender | |
MV Keppel | 1961 | 1967, 1973 | 1993 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Kyleakin II | 1960 | 1960, 1973 | 1983 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Glen Sannox III | 1957 | 1957, 1973 | 1989 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Lochalsh II | 1957 | 1957, 1973 | 1979 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
FB Ulva | 1956 | 1956, 1973 | 2001 | From David MacBrayne, Iona - Staffa then Eigg tender | |
MV Claymore II | 1955 | 1955, 1973 | 1976 | From David MacBrayne | ![]() |
MV Bute VI | 1954 | 1954, 1973 | 1979 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Cowal II | 1954 | 1954, 1973 | 1979 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
PS Maid of the Loch | 1953 | 1953, 1973 | 1981 | From Caledonian Steam Packet, restoration being done by preservation society | |
MV Arran II | 1953 | 1954, 1973 | 1980 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Maid of Cumbrae | 1953 | 1953, 1973 | 1978 | From Caledonian Steam Packet, converted to a car ferry | |
MV Maid of Argyll | 1953 | 1953, 1973 | 1974 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Maid of Ashton | 1953 | 1953, 1973 | 1973 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | ![]() |
MV Maid of Skelmorlie | 1953 | 1953, 1973 | 1973 | From Caledonian Steam Packet | |
MV Loch Carron | 1951 | 1951, 1973 | 1976 | From David MacBrayne | |
PS Waverley | 1947 | 1947, 1973 | 1974 | From Caledonian Steam Packet, currently run by a preservation society | ![]() |
MV Loch Seaforth I | 1947 | 1947, 1973 | 1973 | From David MacBrayne | ![]() |
MV Loch Dunvegan II | 1946 | 1950, 1973 | 1973 | From David MacBrayne | |
MV Loch Toscaig | 1945 | 1955, 1973 | 1975 | From David MacBrayne | |
FB Applecross | 1944 | 1963 1973 | 1969 1985 | Kylerhea, Tobermory and Iona Tender | |
MV Loch Arkaig | 1942 | 1960, 1973 | 1979 | From David MacBrayne | ![]() |
MV Loch Nell | 1941 | 1947, 1973 | 1981 | From David MacBrayne | |
FB Staffa VI | 1934 | 1975 | 1981 | Tender | |
TS Queen Mary | 1933 | 1935, 1973 | 1978 | From Caledonian Steam Packet, restoration being done by preservation society | ![]() |
FB Kildonan II | 1923 | 1975 | 1985 | Tender | |
FB Eigg I | 1923 | 1966, 1973 | 1978 | From David MacBrayne, Tender | |
FB Craignure | 1904 | 1950 1973 | 1964 1979 | Craignure and Iona Tender | |
FB Tiger | 1904 | 1973 | 1975 | Iona Tender |
Caledonian MacBrayne, in short form CalMac, 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.
MV Caledonian Isles, usually referred to locally as the Caley Isles, is one of the largest ships operated by Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac), which runs ferries to the Hebridean and Clyde Islands of Scotland. Caledonian Isles serves the Isle of Arran on the Ardrossan to Brodick route. As it is one of CalMac's busiest routes, Caledonian Isles has the largest passenger capacity in the fleet, and can carry up to 1000 passengers and 110 cars, with a crossing time of 55 minutes. She is used extensively by day-trippers to the Isle of Arran during the summer.
MV Hebrides is a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne from Uig to Lochmaddy and Tarbert, the main settlements of North Uist and Harris respectively.
MV Hebridean Isles is a ro-ro vehicle ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the west coast of Scotland. She was the first MacBrayne vessel to be ordered and built for them outside Scotland and the first to be launched sideways. With bow, stern and side ramps, Hebridean Isles is suitable for all the routes served by the large fleet units. After 15 years crossing the Little Minch on the Uig triangle, she now serves Islay and Colonsay. She is due to be retired from the fleet in November 2024, after almost 40 years of service.
MV Isle of Arran is a drive-through ferry operated on the west coast of Scotland by Caledonian MacBrayne. Also known by her local nicknames IOA and The Auld Trooper, she entered service in 1984 on the Ardrossan to Brodick route, serving Arran for nine years before being moved to Kennacraig. She returned to her original route in 2012, supplementing MV Caledonian Isles in summer and becoming a relief vessel in winter. In 2013, she started a new pilot route from Ardrossan to Campbeltown, which became a permanent fixture in 2015. As of 2023, she is one of the oldest vessels in the fleet, having been in service for 40 years; upon arriving into Oban in the West Highlands, celebrations were mounted ashore to mark the 40th anniversary of her launch and service on 2 December 2023.
MV Pioneer is a stern / side loading ferry built in 1974, in service for 29 years covering nearly all of Caledonian MacBrayne's routes. She now serves the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea and was chartered to rescue Liberian refugees.
MV Orion is a ro-ro passenger and vehicle ferry. Saturn was operated by Caledonian MacBrayne in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland between 1978 and 2011, for the first decade of her career on the Rothesay crossing. Later, she also saw service on the Dunoon and Brodick crossings, as well as on short cruises around the Clyde.
MV Isle of Cumbrae is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ro-ro car ferry, built in 1976 and operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. For ten years she was at Largs and operated the Loch Fyne crossing from 1999 to 2014. She was replaced by the MV Lochinvar in 2014, a new diesel-electric hybrid ferry capable of holding 23 cars and 150 passengers. She returned to Tarbert in 2016 after MV Lochinvar was moved to the Mallaig - Armadale station. She is now the oldest vessel in the Calmac fleet.
MV Loch Tarbert is a Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited ro-ro car ferry, built in 1992 and currently operated by Caledonian MacBrayne. She has spent most of her career on the seasonal Claonaig – Lochranza crossing.
MV Eigg is a landing craft car ferry built for Caledonian MacBrayne in 1974. She was owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and operated mostly on the Oban to Lismore route from 1976 until 2013. She was the oldest vessel in the CalMac fleet at her retirement in April 2018. As of June 2018, she is based at Clare Island in County Mayo.
MV Finlaggan is a drive-through vehicle and passenger ferry built in Poland for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited. From 2011, she has been operated by Caledonian MacBrayne on the Islay service from Kennacraig.
MV Raasay is a bow-loading passenger and vehicle ferry formerly owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets serving Raasay until 2001. She now operates a cargo service to Inishbofin, County Galway from Cleggan.
David MacBrayne is a limited company owned by the Scottish Government. Formed in 1851 as the private shipping company David Hutcheson & Co. with three partners, David Hutcheson, Alexander Hutcheson and David MacBrayne, it passed in 1878 to David MacBrayne.
Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited owns the ferries, ports, harbours and infrastructure for the ferry services serving the west coast of Scotland, the Firth of Clyde and the Northern Isles.
MV Loch Seaforth is a ferry operated by Caledonian MacBrayne between Stornoway and Ullapool. She was launched on 21 March 2014 and entered service in mid-February 2015, replacing both the former vessel, 1995-built MV Isle of Lewis and a chartered freight vessel.
MV Catriona is a diesel electric hybrid passenger and vehicle roll-on, roll-off ferry built for Caledonian MacBrayne for the Claonaig–Lochranza crossing. She is the third hybrid ferry commissioned and owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets, one of three such ferries in the world to incorporate a low-carbon hybrid system of diesel electric and lithium-ion battery power. The ferries are sea-going and are nearly 46 metres (150 ft) long, accommodating 150 passengers, 23 cars or two HGVs.
MV Alfred is a catamaran ferry owned by Pentland Ferries, currently on charter to Caledonian MacBrayne for their west coast service.
MV Loch Indaal is a roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry being constructed for use by Caledonian MacBrayne on routes on the west coast of Scotland. She is the second of four ferries being built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and is expected to be delivered in 2025 for service on routes linking Islay with Kennacraig on the mainland. She is named for the sea loch of Loch Indaal, which lies on the west coast of Islay. The loch is well known as the inspiration for the folk song "The Lights of Lochindaal" by Iain Simpson.
MV Claymore is a roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry currently under construction for use on Caledonian MacBrayne routes on the west coast of Scotland. She is the third of four ferries being built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and is expected to be delivered in June 2025 for service on the "Uig Triangle" routes linking Tarbert in Harris and Lochmaddy in North Uist with Uig in Skye.
MV Lochmor is a roll-on/roll-off vehicle and passenger ferry currently under construction for use on Caledonian MacBrayne routes on the west coast of Scotland. She is the fourth of four ferries being built at Cemre Shipyard in Turkey for Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, and is expected to be delivered in October 2025 for service on the "Uig Triangle" routes linking Tarbert in Harris and Lochmaddy in North Uist with Uig in Skye.