Adverse weather building up to a force eight gale for a spell along with rough seas is impacting Western Isles ferry services over Friday.
The Castlebay service will not operate today due to strong winds and sea swell.
The Sound of Harris charter service is also cancelled with 57mph gusts on the forecast.
Sailings on the Skye triangle route are liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice. The Eriskay service is also on yellow alert.
CalMac doesn’t have any vessels on hand for the South Uist run but even if it had, any ferry is unlikely to sail in today’s forecast
Islanders were looking forward to having MV Lord of the Isles back this weekend but overhaul delays leaves her stuck in Birkenhead. The previously published timetable is now cancelled until the end of next week, a few days later than previously advised. If weather allows, MV Clansman may undertake a run between Oban and Uist next Thursday.
The main Sound of Harris service is cancelled for about a week as MV Loch Portain
is relocating to a mainland dock for repairs. In any case, weather conditions expected
in the coming days are likely to have ruled out her operating in her restricted limitations
with one engine out of action. All going well she should be back to full strength
by next Friday. Disruption continues until then with traffic detoured via the Skye
triangle service and a pre-booked passenger-only charter boat operating across the
sound - between the Fisherman’s Pier in Berneray and the Leverburgh pontoons - weather
permitting. Passenger reservations for the sound must be made by 5pm the day before.
Ferries disruption in gale force winds
29 November 2024
