🚢 Ferry Fleet

Newest major vessel. Entered service Jan 2025 after lengthy delays. First of two new dual-fuel ferries for the Arran route. Sister: MV Glen Rosa (expected 2026).

Largest vessel in the entire CalMac fleet at 116m. Dedicated to the vital Ullapool–Stornoway crossing across The Minch.

Highest passenger capacity in the fleet at 1,000 persons. Returned to service Oct 2025 after an unprecedented 21-month refit — the longest absence in CalMac history.

Crosses The Minch from Skye. Serves North Uist (Lochmaddy) and Harris (Tarbert) — a vital link to the Outer Hebrides.

Serves Islay and Colonsay from Kennacraig. Now joined on the route by the new MV Isle of Islay (2026).

Newest vessel in the fleet, entered service 31 March 2026. First of four identical Cemre-built vessels ordered by CMAL. Increases Islay vehicle capacity by ~40%.

Based in Oban. Works alongside MV Isle of Mull on the busiest routes out of Oban, including summer services to Barra for relief.

One of the older major ferries. Based in Oban, primarily serving Mull. One of the next vessels flagged for disposal as newer ships arrive.

Based in Castlebay. Serves the long Barra–Oban crossing. Also flagged as one of the next likely disposals as the new Cemre vessels arrive.

Based in Lochboisdale, serving South Uist. Winters sailing to Oban. Long-serving vessel, part of the fleet for over 35 years.

Currently the fleet's primary spare vessel, assisting on Arran and Islay routes while new vessels come into service. One of the oldest in the fleet.

Works exclusively on the busy Wemyss Bay–Rothesay route alongside sister MV Argyle. Both built in Gdańsk.

Sister vessel to MV Bute. Both dedicated solely to the Wemyss Bay–Rothesay crossing, the busiest Firth of Clyde route.

Largest of the Loch class, built specifically for Largs–Cumbrae. Lounge above the car deck. Uniquely designed for this one route.

One of the smaller Loch class. Operates the very short Kyles of Bute crossing. Previously built for the Skye crossing before that bridge opened.

The oldest vessel in the CalMac fleet at nearly 50 years old. A remarkable survivor, operating across Loch Fyne.

World's first hybrid battery/diesel sea-going RoRo ferry. Named after the Raasay Gaelic poem by Sorley MacLean. Pioneering vessel for the CalMac fleet.

Second hybrid ferry, sister to MV Hallaig. Built for the Tarbert–Portavadie crossing. Runs on battery with diesel backup — quieter, greener sailing.

Third hybrid ferry. Serves the summer-only Claonaig–Lochranza route to Arran — a shorter, scenic alternative to the main Ardrossan crossing.

Purchased secondhand from Norway in 2022. Modified and entered service on the main Mull route, providing much-needed additional capacity to Oban.

Designed specifically for the Sound of Harris crossing between the Uists and Harris. Complex tidal route through the Western Isles. Has a lounge above car deck.

Connects Barra to the Uist chain across the Sound of Barra. The 40-minute crossing is the longest standard Loch class service.

Specially designed for the Small Isles service with a large stern ramp that allows berthing far from a slipway. Protects its Azimuth thrusters in shallow water.

Serves the remote Lismore community. At 55 minutes, it's one of the longer Loch class crossings. One of the older small ferries still in service.

Serves the remote Ardnamurchan peninsula — the most westerly point of mainland Britain — from Tobermory on Mull. Short but scenic crossing.

Short crossing to Mull via the Sound of Mull. One of the quickest ways to Mull, just 15 minutes. Originally built for the Skye crossing before the bridge opened.

Smaller Loch class vessel, used as relief on the Cumbrae and other short Clyde crossings.

Designed specifically for the short Iona crossing. Has a lounge above the car deck. The Iona crossing is just a few minutes but carries huge visitor numbers.

High-speed passenger catamaran on the Clyde. Formerly operated by Argyll Ferries, absorbed into CalMac in January 2019. Directly owned by CalMac (not CMAL).

Passenger-only monohull on the Gourock–Dunoon route. Works alongside Ali Cat. Also absorbed from Argyll Ferries in 2019. Directly owned by CalMac.

Chartered passenger vessel operating Clyde services. Not owned by CMAL or CalMac — one of two chartered vessels in the fleet.

Large catamaran chartered from Pentland Ferries to bolster capacity on the Arran route. Providing vital additional sailings while the Arran fleet transitions to new builds.

The smallest vessel in the entire fleet — can carry just one car. Serves tiny Kerrera island near Oban. Built in Shetland, one of only a few Scottish-built recent CalMac vessels.

Sister vessel to MV Glen Sannox. The second dual-fuel ferry for the Arran route. Launched March 2024, expected delivery no earlier than Oct 2026. Part of the "ferry fiasco" saga.

Second of four Cemre-built vessels. Sister ship to MV Isle of Islay. Will serve Islay alongside the Isle of Islay. Expected delivery July 2026.

Seven new electric small ferries replacing the oldest Loch class vessels. Contract awarded March 2025. First steel cut for MV Loch Awe in Sep 2025. Routes include Gigha, Iona, Raasay and more.