Caledonian MacBrayne

Introduction

Caledonian MacBrayne operate ferries to locations in the Firth of Clyde and Inner and Outer Hebrides. Caledonian MacBrayne






Dates

  /  /1973Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd
Created when David MacBrayne and the Caledonian Steam Packet Company Ltd merged.

Portions of line and locations

This line is divided into a number of portions.


Firth of Clyde

This spartan single platform terminal station replaced the terminus of the line immediately to the north and closer to the harbour, Ardrossan Winton Pier. The platform is on the west side of the track.
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See also
Ardrossan Railway
'Open wide!'. 'Caledonian Isles' at Ardrossan on 26th June 2011. I recall this as a Red Letter Day - the Arran service was running as planned and to ...
Colin Miller 22/06/2011
380011 just arrived at Ardrossan Harbour with the ex-13.18 service from Glasgow Central and now waiting time on the return service at 14.36 on 15th ...
David Bosher 15/09/2022
View of the builders plate on Calmac 'MV Caledonian Isles' taken as it battled a strong wind and extremely rough sea on the crossing from Ardrossan ...
David Pesterfield 15/06/2013
Calmac 'MV Caledonian Isles' loads for the return sailing after battling a strong wind and extremely rough sea to reach her berth at Ardrossan Harbour ...
David Pesterfield 15/06/2013
4 of 23 images. more


This pier, on the east coast of the Isle of Arran, is served by Caledonian MacBrayne ferries from Ardrossan Harbour.
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Piers, Slips and Staiths
'M V Caledonia' off Arran in 1981.
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Colin Miller //1981
M V 'Caledonia' at Brodick pier in 1970. Not really as pleasing on the eye as her paddle steamer predecessor, sadly withdrawn at the end of the 1969 ...
Robin McGregor 26/09/1970
TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' at Brodick in 1969. A glance at the rocks in the foreground makes it plain that the 'Duchess' was on a Clyde River Steamer ...
Brian Haslehust 31/05/1969
MV 'Glen Sannox' at Brodick on 31st May 1969. In the immediate background, TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' appears to be giving more than gentle hint that ...
Brian Haslehust 31/05/1969
4 of 9 images. more


TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' at Campbeltown in June 1962. ...
Brian Haslehust 02/06/1962
TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' at Campbeltown in August 1965. ...
Brian Haslehust 22/08/1965
TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' berthed at Campbeltown on a beautifully calm summer day in the late nineteen sixties. ...
Brian Haslehust //1968
A busy scene at Campbeltown in May 1970. TS 'Duchess of Hamilton' and PS 'Waverley' are both visiting, and on the inside of the pier is Western ...
Brian Haslehust /05/1970
4 of 9 images. more


A view of Claonaig slipway, on the Kintyre peninsula, taken from the Calmac Ferry MV Loch Riddon as it nears the end of its journey across the ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
1 of 1 images.


The ferry 'Loch Dunvegan' at Colintraive slipway on 01 August 2015 preparing to make the short crossing to Rhubodach on the Isle of Bute. ...
John McIntyre 01/08/2015
'Loch Riddon' arriving at Colintraive in 1988. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
On 3rd April 2018 the slipways on both sides of the Kyles of Bute crossing were part way through a comprehensive rebuild and MV Loch Dunvegan ...
Mark Bartlett 03/04/2018
Calmac MV Loch Dunvegan is mid way across the narrow eastern Kyle of Bute on a misty morning in April 2018. This image, taken from the ...
Mark Bartlett 07/04/2018
4 of 4 images.


This slip is on the east side of the Great Cumbrae and is served by a ferry service from Largs Pier/Largs Slip.
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'MV Loch Shira' at Cumbrae Slip, the landing point for the island since 1972, on 15th June 2022.
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Bill Roberton 15/06/2022

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Colin Miller 04/10/2019
2 of 2 images.


The headquarters of Caledonian MacBrayne is by Gourock station.
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Piers, Slips and Staiths
Dunoon Pier ...
John Yellowlees 16/09/2022
MV 'Maid of Cumbrae' at Dunoon Pier. The photograph is thought to date from 1963. ...
Brian Haslehust //1963
There are numerous proposals about what to do with now disused Dunoon Pier. Argyll and Bute Council are consulting local residents and businesses, and ...
John Yellowlees 16/09/2022
PS Waverley leaving Dunoon and heading to the south in September 1955. ...
A Snapper (Courtesy Bruce McCartney) 06/09/1955
4 of 21 images. more


MV Catriona arrives at Tarbert with a CalMac sailing from Portavadie on 3 November 2023. ...
Bill Roberton 03/11/2023
Calmac's 'Catriona' unloading at Tarbert after making the crossing from Lochranza, Arran on 3rd November 2022. It will immediately load and depart for ...
Mark Bartlett 03/11/2022
Viewed from the elevated position of the grounds of Tarbert Castle, Calmac's 'Isle of Cumbrae' ferry leaves the slipway in East Loch Tarbert heading ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2021
A full load waiting for the return trip on the slipway at Tarbert, seen from Calmac's MV Loch Riddon after another crossing of Loch Fyne from ...
Mark Bartlett 05/04/2018
4 of 6 images. more


This pier is open. It is a combined facility with Gourock station. Ferries operate from Gourock to Dunoon Pier and Kilcreggan Pier, and sometimes Helensburgh Pier. The pier is located on Kempock Point.
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The Ardrishaig mail service, operated by MacBrayne's, ready to leave Gourock in 1965. 'MV Lochnevis' is taking the place of the more usual 'Lochfyne', ...
Brian Haslehust //1965
'DEPV Talisman', moored at Gourock Pier in April 1965, before returning to service after being repainted in the new Monastral Blue livery. Note the ...
Brian Haslehust /04/1965
The lovely ex-LNER paddle steamer 'Jeanie Deans' approaching Gourock pier. The shot is thought to have been taken in the summer of 1962. ...
Robin McGregor //1962
'PS Caledonia' comes alongside Gourock Pier in June 1966.
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Colin Miller /06/1966
4 of 26 images. more


There are suggestions that Calmac will retire some of the fleet and replace them with new tonnage. One on the list is 'Loch Riddon', which was new on ...
Colin Miller 17/06/2021
Largs in the summer of 1972, with evening sunlight on the departing TS 'Queen Mary II'. ...
Robin McGregor //1972
'MV Balmoral' is now moored in Bristol, see 82488. Here she is going astern out of Largs pier in 1995. ...
Colin Miller //1995
DEPV 'Talisman' leaving Largs on a Sunday in July 1966.
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Colin Miller /07/1966
4 of 16 images. more


This pier has a slip for ferries to Cumbrae Ferry Terminal on the Great Cumbrae. The pier is in the middle of the town not far from Largs station.
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Piers, Slips and Staiths
The then recently retired 'M.V.Columba', pictured at Largs in 1988 on its way to be refitted. In 2022 it is still sailing as the luxury cruise ship ...
John Gray /07/1988
'MV Loch Shira' disembarks passengers at Largs, after crossing from Great Cumbrae, on 15 June 2022.
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Bill Roberton 15/06/2022

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Colin Miller 30/12/2021
MV Loch Striven on the Largs - Great Cumbrae service in 1989 when still relatively new, having been built in 1986. This ferry can currently (2016) be ...
Ewan Crawford 10/02/1989
4 of 4 images.


The pier / slip with MV Catriona approaching and MV Loch Alainn alongside. Thursday 13th July 2023, taken from PS Waverley. ...
Colin Miller 13/07/2023
Builders Plate on CalMac ferry MV Loch Riddon, seen on the crossing from Lochranza on Arran to Claonaig on Kintyre, showing it to be boat H954 ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
CalMac Ferry MV Loch Riddon approaches Lochranza slipway on Arran to form the 12.00 return crossing to Claonaig terminal on Kintyre on 17 June 2013 ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
A view of Lochranza slipway on Arran, from the Calmac Ferry MV Loch Riddon as it starts its 30 minute journey across the Kilbrannan Sound to ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
4 of 7 images. more


View of the wheelhouse of the venerable 'MV Isle of Cumbrae' (forty four years service and climbing) as it approaches Portavadie, after yet another ...
Mark Bartlett 21/09/2021
Calmac MV Loch Riddon waiting at the Portavadie slipway on 5th April 2018 prior to loading for another crossing of Loch Fyne to Tarbert. ...
Mark Bartlett 05/04/2018
Calmac MV Loch Riddon, built at Hessle in 1986, has just left Portavadie crossing Loch Fyne for Tarbert on a sunny 5th April 2018. ...
Mark Bartlett 06/04/2018
MV Isle of Cumbrae loads at Portavadie before making another 25 minute crossing of Loch Fyne to Tarbert in October 2017. The second oldest ...
Mark Bartlett 23/10/2017
4 of 4 images.


'Loch Riddon' at Rhubodach slip, Bute, about to make the short trip to Colintraive in 1988. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
MV Red Baroness, a versatile landing-craft design operated by Troon Tug Co Ltd (a sort of modern day Clyde Puffer), makes its way ...
Mark Bartlett 03/04/2018
MV Loch Dunvegan pulls away from the slipway at Rhubodach to cross the Kyle of Bute to Colintraive. The vessel was made redundant from its ...
Mark Bartlett 25/07/2016
One of Calmac's largest Loch class ferries arrives at Rhubodach after completing the operator's shortest crossing from Colintraive on 6 July 2008. The ...
Malcolm Chattwood 06/07/2008
4 of 4 images.


PS Waverley leaves Rothesay for a trip round the Kyles of Bute on 7 August 1976. Like most LNER boats, she was built by AJ Inglis at Pointhouse. ...
Colin Kirkwood 07/08/1976
PS 'Jeanie Deans' arriving at Rothesay pier on a beautiful summer afternoon in 1963. ...
Brian Haslehust //1963
'M.V. Saturn' approaches Rothesay Pier in 1988.
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John Gray //1988
TS Queen Mary II arriving at Rothesay in August 1965. ...
Robin McGregor 01/08/1965
4 of 34 images. more


This is one of the pre-eminent 'must see' stations in Scotland. In 1905 it replaced an original Wemyss Bay [1st] station of 1865 on a slightly different orientation (see that entry for the 1865-1905 details). It is a terminus and a combined station and pier with a very fine concourse (with semi-circular ticket office supporting the glass roof), canopied platforms, main station building with a ...

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See also
Greenock and Wemyss Bay Railway
Panel detailing a major refurbishment of Wemyss Bay station which was completed in 1994, seen here on 25th July 2017. ...
David Bosher 25/07/2017
A new painting at the Wemyss Bay station Bookshop by Leo du Feu (unveiled today of all days, when Wemyss Bay has won the 'World Cup of Stations ...
John Yellowlees 27/05/2023
Exterior of Wemyss Bay station, on 25th July 2017. ...
David Bosher 25/07/2017
'TS Duchess of Montrose' taking on passengers at Wemyss Bay pier, on a busy summer Saturday in 1964. ...
Brian Haslehust 04/07/1964
4 of 173 images. more





Hebrides

This photo was taken by my father in the mid 1950s, on board the MV Lochinvar as it approached the original Lismore timber pier from Oban.
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Colin Miller Collection //1955
1 of 1 images.


Armadale Pier, in the south west of the Isle of Skye, seen from the approaching Calmac ferry MV Loch Fyne, which had just crossed from Mallaig. ...
Mark Bartlett 27/07/2018
Calmac's MV Lord of the Isles reverses up to the linkspan at Armadale on Skye after making the crossing from Mallaig on 1st August 2018. ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2018
The last few vehicles drive across the linkspan onto MV Lord of the Isles at Armadale on 2nd August 2018, prior to the 30 minute crossing from ...
Mark Bartlett 02/08/2018
3 of 3 images.




MV 'Loch Buie' arrives at the slipway on Iona in 2007. Although equipped to carry vehicles the only ones allowed onto the island are those belonging ...
Bill Roberton 11/04/2007
1 of 1 images.


View from the passenger area of MV Loch Portain as it nears the Berneray slipway after another crossing of the Sound of Harris on a murky 29th ...
Mark Bartlett 29/07/2018
Calmac's Sound of Harris Ferry, the specially designed MV Loch Portain, loading at the Berneray slipway on 31st July 2018. The elevated lounge, ...
Mark Bartlett 31/07/2018
Looking across the 1999 causeway, which links the islands of North Uist and Berneray, on 31st July 2018. MV Loch Portain is at the Berneray ...
Mark Bartlett 31/07/2018
3 of 3 images.


Loch Nevis heads back from Canna to Mallaig on 8th June 2016 (with the mountains of Rum in the distance). ...
David Spaven 08/06/2016
1 of 1 images.


MV Lord of the Isles leaves Castlebay, Barra, in 1993. ...
Ewan Crawford /08/1993
1 of 1 images.




MV Iona calling at Coll Pier in 1993. ...
Ewan Crawford /08/1993
1 of 1 images.




MV Isle of Mull passing Craignure, with the then Isle of Mull Railway terminus in the foreground, in April 2007.
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Bill Roberton 10/04/2007
'MV Columba' approaching Craignure Pier in the late 1960s or early 1970s. ...
Aitken Scott //
This 2010 view shows MV Isle of Mull with the insert 5.4 metres long just in front of the funnel to fix her deadweight problem. Off Craignure. See ...
Colin Miller 29/06/2010
MV Isle of Mull passing Lady's Rock, at the south end of Lismore, en route from Craignure to Oban.

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Ewan Crawford //1988
4 of 4 images.


The new pier for the Isle of Eigg viewed from offshore. ...
David Spaven //2016
The new pier on Eigg with the CalMac ferry approaching from Mallaig. ...
David Spaven //2016
2 of 2 images.




Passengers from the Isle of Iona alighting from the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry 'Loch Buie' at Fionnphort, in the south-west of the Isle of Mull, on ...
David Bosher 12/09/2022
1 of 1 images.


In 1988 'Isle of Cumbrae' approaches the slip at Fishnish, Isle of Mull, from Lochaline. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
1 of 1 images.






The Paps of Jura dominate the skyline as MV Finlaggan prepares to pass Ardpatrick Point at the mouth of West Loch Tarbert on 16 October 2020. On this ...
Malcolm Chattwood 16/10/2020
The Calmac ferry Finlaggan sails up West Loch Tarbert towards Kennacraig terminal after crossing from Islay on 22nd October 2017. ...
Mark Bartlett 22/10/2017
View taken shortly before reaching the A83 road from Campbeltown to Tarbet, after leaving the Arran ferry from Lochranza at Claonaig Pier in June ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
3 of 3 images.




Caledonian MacBrayne ferry 'Loch Tarbert' from Tobermory, after arrival at Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, on the afternoon of Saturday, 10th ...
David Bosher 10/09/2022
Kilchoan Pier viewed from the south in 1988. ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
2 of 2 images.


MV Loch Portain arrives at the Leverburgh slipway on Harris after negotiating the rocks and islets of the Sound of Harris with the Calmac ...
Mark Bartlett 29/07/2018
1 of 1 images.




A view across the loch to G & G Hamilton's puffer 'Glencloy', tied up at Lochboisdale Pier in July 1960. Photo by G H Robin. ...
G W Robin /07/1960
The crew of the Puffer 'S S Glencloy' loading milled seaweed bags at Lochboisdale Pier, South Uist, on 22nd July 1960. Photo by G H Robin. ...
G W Robin 22/07/1960
The harbourside Ruston Bucyrus crane attending to 'M V Glencloy' at Lochboisdale Pier in July 1960. Photo by G H Robin ...
G W Robin /07/1960
The 'Lord of the Isles' tying up at Lochboisdale Pier in August 1993. It was somewhat wet. The next morning she continued to Castlebay, Barra. ...
Ewan Crawford /08/1993
4 of 6 images. more


The water tight doors of MV Hebrides are opening for the Lochmaddy linkspan on arrival from Uig on 1st August 2018. HGV drivers are waiting to ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2018
Calmac MV Hebrides comes alongside Lochmaddy Pier and slowly approaches the linkspan after crossing from Skye to North Uist on 1st August 2018. ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2018
The neat Calmac terminal building at Lochmaddy on North Uist, which has been built on stilts out over the water. The regular scheduled service from ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2018
3 of 3 images.


Mallaig Pier is the port for Armadale Pier on Skye, Lochboisdale Pier on South Uist, Inverie Pier in Knoydart and the Small Isles; Eigg Pier, Muck Pier, Rum Pier and Canna Harbour. It is located on the Sound of Sleat.
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See also
Mallaig Extension (West Highland Railway)
Seen from a ferry departing for Armadale, Calmac MV Lord of the Isles arrives in Mallaig after crossing from Lochboisdale on South Uist in July ...
Mark Bartlett 27/07/2018
CalMac ferry MV Loch Nevis, seen moored at the inner harbour berth in Mallaig on 18th June 2013. This ferry serves the small islands of Eigg, ...
David Pesterfield 18/06/2013
Flishing boats cluster on the north side of Mallaig Pier. ...
David Spaven //
The Mallaig fishing fleet seen in the 1960s from the main pier. ...
Aitken Scott //
4 of 9 images. more




This pier is located in the south of Oban Bay, a large natural anchorage protected from the west by the island of Kerrera. It was opened in 1880 along with Oban station by the Callander and Oban Railway. With the opening of the extension from Dalmally and the pier the railway was able to connect with ferry services to the West Coast of Scotland and the fishing fleet. The opening ...

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See also
Piers, Slips and Staiths
Callander and Oban Railway
MV 'Isle of Mull' nears Oban in 2002.
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Bill Roberton //2002
View looking across Oban Bay towards the ferry terminal from Corran Esplanade in June 2006, with two of the larger Calmac ferries seen at the berths ...
David Pesterfield 23/06/2006
King George V berthed at the Railway Pier, Oban. (Late 60s/early 70s?) ...
Aitken Scott //
Calmac Ferries 'MV Eigg' prepares to disembark its consist of cars and foot passengers as it runs into its berth at Oban following the crossing from ...
David Pesterfield 17/06/2013
4 of 11 images. more


'Eilean Dhiura', the local ferry operated by Argyll and Bute Council, leaves Port Askaig on Islay on the short journey across the Sound to Jura in ...
Bill Roberton //2009
Western Ferries' 'Sound of Gigha' and Caledonian MacBrayne's 'Iona' at Port Askaig, Islay, in 1988. The Sound of Gigha, a landing craft style vessel, ...
Ewan Crawford //1988
2 of 2 images.






Diesel-electric Hybrid ferry MV Hallaigh nears the slipway at Sconser on Skye after crossing from the Isle of Raasay, its regular Calmac route. ...
Mark Bartlett 01/08/2018
1 of 1 images.


Caledonian MacBrayne MV 'Loch Seaforth' arriving from Ullapool at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, on 14th June 2019. After three days and nights in the ...
David Bosher 14/06/2019
1 of 1 images.


MV Hebrides arrives at Tarbert on the Isle of Harris with the Saturday evening sailing from Uig on 28th July 2018. For most of the year the ...
Mark Bartlett 28/07/2018
1 of 1 images.


'MV Loch Ranza', the regular vessel on the Gigha Ferry for many years, approaches the slipway at Tayinloan on 19th September 2021. There is an hourly ...
Mark Bartlett 19/09/2021
1 of 1 images.




Glenlight Shipping's MV Glencloy [II] anchored in Tobermory Bay in 1993 seen from MV Iona which was just leaving the pier. ...
Ewan Crawford 25/08/1993
Builders Plate on Caledonian MacBrayne MV Loch Linnhe, seen on the crossing from Mull to Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula, showing it to ...
David Pesterfield 18/06/2013
'King George V' at Tobermory in the early 1950s. Taken by my father on an Ensign Selfix 16/20 camera. ...
Colin Miller Collection //
Caledonian MacBrayne ferry 'Loch Tarbert' which my friends and I travelled on from Kilchoan after three nights in Fort William, seen here shortly ...
David Bosher 10/09/2022
4 of 9 images. more


Calmac 'MV Hebrides' departs Uig berth on the north of Skye with the 1400hrs (1 hour 40 minute) sailing to Tarbert on Harris on 19th June 2013. ...
David Pesterfield 19/06/2013
Calmac 'MV Hebrides' loads at Uig Pier on the north of Skye as it readies for its 1400hrs sailing to Tarbert on the Isle of Harris on 19th June 2013. ...
David Pesterfield 19/06/2013
MV Hebrides swings round the headland to approach Uig Pier on Skye after crossing from Lochmaddy (North Uist) on 27th August 2018. After a ...
Mark Bartlett 27/07/2018
MV Hebridean Isles arriving at Uig Bay, Skye, in 1991. ...
Ewan Crawford //2016
4 of 7 images. more


Calmac 'MV Isle of Lewis' reverses on to the linkspan at Ullapool Pier on 20 June 2013, after arrival early evening following a 2 hour 30 minute ...
David Pesterfield 20/06/2013
Calmac 'MV Isle of Lewis' manoeuvres onto the berth at Ullapool Pier some 20 minutes late following the crossing from Stornoway on the evening of 20th ...
David Pesterfield 20/06/2013
Calmac 'MV Isle of Lewis' rounds the headland as it approaches Ullapool Pier along Loch Broom after the 2 hour 30 minute crossing from Stornoway on ...
David Pesterfield 20/06/2013
3 of 3 images.