By Hugh Boag
Arran was bracing itself for a Christmas of disruption with high winds and storms scuppering travel plans.
The island was already experiencing widespread ferry cancellations as we went to press on Thursday and with wild weather forecast right up until Christmas Day, there is anxiety on both sides of the water over the need to cancel festive plans.
Many left on the three ferries which sailed on Tuesday, with the 13.50 particularly busy, for those desperate to get away to spend Christmas with loved ones on the mainland. Ferries to the island were also very busy with those returning for the festive season.
Despite high winds, the first sailing of the MV Caledonian Isles left Brodick early on Wednesday and returned but, after struggling to berth, sailings for the rest of the day were cancelled and the situation has not improved since.
The single ferry a day from Lochranza to Tarbet also faces disruption.
The Arran Ferry Committee has been pressing for contingency plans during the six days of potential disruption, but nothing had been confirmed although there was hope of a lull in the weather late on Christmas Eve which may allow for a couple of sailings, unless the weather changes again.
The weather has been driven by an unusually low pressure in the north and an unusually high pressure in the south which has created a channel in which strong winds coming from Iceland were being channelled over most of the UK.
Yesterday (Thursday) was the worst day when a 24 hour yellow weather warning was declared by the Met Office for the whole of Scotland, with wind gusts of up to 58mph forcast for the Firth of Clyde.
The Met Office had also warned: “There is a small chance injuries and danger to life could occur from large waves and beach material being thrown onto sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.”
CalMac confirmed current forecasts show adverse weather conditions are likely to cause widespread disruption across the network.
Finlay MacRae, head of operations at CalMac, said: “While we can’t control the impact from weather, we do have a committed team working hard to reduce the impact on our communities and customers wherever we can. Our crew will monitor the situation and respond to limited weather windows by operating untimetabled services whenever they can do so safely.
“We are continually reviewing options to ensure the best service possible for customers and communities during this period and we fully appreciate how difficult this can be, especially during the holiday period.
“Please monitor updates with the latest information via the service status and information pages on our website, our service status app and our Twitter page @CalMac_Updates.
“CalMac continues to work with communities to ensure their priorities around the transportation of goods and services are understood and supported and dedicated frontline staff are talking to our regular customers daily to make sure that, where possible, essential goods and services are being moved.”
The weather is expected to significantly improve by Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed the MV Alfred will return to help the MV Isle of Arran with cover when the MV Caledonian Isles goes in for her annual refit next month.
Ahead of her departure on January 4, the MV Alfred will operate two round trips at higher capacity on January 2 and 3 to assist with New Year passenger volume and will operate three round trips Friday to Sunday inclusive and two round trips Monday to Thursday inclusive in addition to the regular sailings of the MV Isle of Arran while the MV Caledonian Isles is in for refit until January 24.
The MV Caledonian Isles was packed as it prepares to leave Brodick on Tuesday. 01_B51ferry01_23_caledonian_isles