Ferry operator CalMac, which links Ullapool and Stornoway, finalises winter timetables amid 'unprecedented level of complexity' caused by harbour closure
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CalMac customers are being advised that the winter timetable for 2022/23 has now been finalised following approval by Transport Scotland and Ministers.
The launch of the winter timetable, which operates from October 24 until March 30, 2023, was delayed due to extended discussions around the Uig Harbour closure which impacted on almost all routes across the network.
Plans for the 2022/23 overhaul programme have also been released and can be viewed here.
Routes are currently being entered onto the CalMac website in a phased approach to allow customers to make reservations as soon as possible without being further delayed.
Phase one will be published on Monday, September 26 and open for bookings on Tuesday, October 4 . Phase two will be published on Wednesday, September 28 and open for bookings on Thursday, October 13. Further details are on the CalMac website here.
Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, said: “We appreciate that the uncertainty around the winter overhaul and timetable plans will have been unsettling for our island communities and we are sorry for any anxiety this may have caused.
“We have been working hard to publish the timetables as early as possible, but the revised plan for the closure of Uig, which is resulting in two different timetables and a high volume of service changes to accommodate this year’s overhaul plan, brought an unprecedented level of complexity. This involves entering over 58,000 sailings and is on top of the usual interdependencies between routes and connecting services, and tidal restrictions in some areas.
“We want to assure customers we are doing all we can to deliver the timetables as quickly as possible and want to thank customers and communities for their patience as they bear with us through this period.”
