CalMac in 'better place' as third ferry to return after repairs

Scotland's ferry shortage is reaching a "much better place" with a third major vessel set to resume service, CalMac says.

MV Lord of the Isles will be ready to sail again "early next week" after problems with its main engine put it out of action last Saturday.

The operator said its network was in a "critical" state last weekend after a series of issues left four ferries needing repairs while four others were under annual maintenance.

Earlier this week MV Glen Sannox returned to Arran and MV Isle of Islay, the newest ferry of the fleet, entered service after snagging issues were resolved.

However, chief executive Duncan Mackison warned passengers to be prepared for weather disruption over Easter weekend during Storm Dave.

He said: "With MV Lord of the Isles available for service from early next week, we will have three of the four major vessels which had unplanned technical issues back in action.

"The picture is much improved from a few days ago and we're able to operate additional services for Mull, Barra and South Uist next week."

He added: "We have detailed information on our website for customers travelling over Easter weekend."

One major vessel with technical problems.

• MV Isle of Arran (Off since 25 March)

Four vessels under annual maintenance.

• MV Alfred (Due back 6 April)
• MV Loch Frisa (Due back 9 April)
• MV Hebrides (Due back 15 April)
• MV Isle of Lewis (Due back late May)

Storm Dave is forecast to bring blizzards and high winds to large areas of Scotland.

The Met Office has three separate yellow wind warnings for Scotland, external, with snow to hit the west Highlands, Argyll and the Western Isles.

Power firm SSEN said gusts could reach about 80mph in parts of the Western Isles and Skye.

CalMac said last week it had an "unprecedented" shortage of vessels due to technical faults.

The state-owned operator said this was compounded by other ships being away for scheduled annual maintenance and inspections.

It was forced to move vessels around its route network of west coast islands.

No direct service is currently available to Lochboisdale, so a combined Castlebay, Uig and Lochmaddy service is running instead.

MV Lord of the Isles had suspended sailings on 28 March after a "technical issue" with its main engine.

The return of Glen Sannox means the busy Arran route again has a two ferry service, provided sailings are not disrupted by the weekend weather.

Two other large ships, Isle of Lewis, Hebrides are away for scheduled maintenance or repairs, along with the chartered catamaran Alfred and a smaller ferry Loch Frisa.

A smaller ferry, the 49-year-old Isle of Cumbrae, also developed a fault on Monday.