RUMOURS that one of CalMac’s most recognisable ferries, the MV Caledonian Isles, was set to begin operating on the Rothesay-Wemyss Bay route have been dismissed by the ferry operator.
Widespread speculation had been circulating on the island over the past week that the vessel, which has recently undergone extensive refurbishment, was preparing to move from its long-standing Ardrossan-Brodick route.
The Caledonian Isles has just returned to service following an overhaul at Cammell Laird in Merseyside, along with additional work at Greenock and Leith, at a total cost of around 12 million. Reports that the ship’s destination board had been changed fuelled claims that she was to be reassigned to the Bute crossing.
A CalMac spokesperson explained: Not sure where this rumour has originated from – it’s categorically untrue. The Caley Isles would be too big for the ports on the route, and there are currently no plans to replace MV Bute and MV Argyle at all, and if there were, there would be formal public consultation on it.
She has actually been identified as potentially operating Oban-Craignure if MV Isle of Mull was retired (this would be subject to MV Glen Rosa being in service on Arran).
Any such move would have represented a significant change for ferry services on the Clyde.
