Displaying items by tag: CalMac cancel route

16th August 2023

Seasonal Popular Scottish Route to Mull of Kintyre Cancelled for Rest of 2023

West Scotland ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) has announced that one of its routes will be cancelled for the rest of the year.

In July, CalMac said its Ardrossan-Campbeltown seasonal service was due to return on 24 August.

In addition CalMac said in June, that its estimated that the (routine Islay serving) MV Hebridean Isles – became a (relief) ferry which sails the Clyde route – should be back in service around 27, July.

However, deadline after deadline has been missed and the Scottish government controlled CalMac has now said that the service will be cancelled for the remainder of the year.

The Ardrossan (Ayrshire)-Campbeltown (Argyll) route only runs in the summer timetable, and the MV Hebridean Isles will not be back in service in time for the end of the season.

CalMac in a statement said: “As a result of vessel deployments, and the ongoing issues with MV Hebridean Isles, this service will unfortunately be cancelled for the remainder of the summer period – we do apologise to our customers and the community for this outcome.

To read more from the statement, Border Telegraph reports and on other ferry operations on the Firth of Clyde and to Islay.

Another route to the Mull of Kintyre peninsula, Afloat adds albeit from Co. Antrim is a fast 'passenger' ferry boat operated by Kintyre Express on a summer service between Ballycastle and Campbeltown.

In addition the operator also serves a seasonal Ballycastle-Islay route through Port Ellen.

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.