Under the 2016 Summer Timetable
the MV Clansman is the dedicated vessel
serving the island communities of Coll and Tiree
providing a vital link with the Mainland through the port of Oban.

 The MV Hebrides normally serves North Uist and Harris
linking both islands with the port of Uig on Skye
and the Mainland via the Skye Bridge.

However, as a result of damage to the MV Hebrides,
when she collided with pontoons and the pier
at Lochmaddy on North Uist,
she had to be withdrawn from service
and enter Garvel Dock, Greenock, for repairs.

CalMac made the decision to redeploy the MV Clansman
to cover the sailings normally undertaken by the MV Hebrides
while the MV Lord of the Isles, which normally sails out of Mallaig,
was redeployed to operate on the Oban, Coll and Tiree crossing.

In 2016 CalMac sought to increase capacity over the network .
For Coll and Tiree this was achieved by deploying the Clansman.
The substitution of the Lord of the Isles resulted in capacity issues.
This was in part resolved by the vessel making two crossings in one day.
This happened on the two weekends the Lord of the Isles served Tiree.

When the MV Hebrides returns from her annual overhaul
she normally makes one sailing to Coll and Tiree
on her way North to the Uig Triangle.

Repaired and her sea trial successful
the MV Hebrides made her way north to Oban
where she carried out Sunday’s sailing to Tiree and Coll
later in the day continuing her journey north to resume her normal service.

Unable to be present for the Hebridean visitor
Life on Tiree is grateful to Steve Nagy and Willie MacKinnon
for forwarding photographs of this rare occurrence – thanks guys.

The following day the MV Clansman returned to her normal duties.
The Lord of the Isles put in sterling service while with us …
but it is good to have the Mighty One back!
This is ‘Life on Tiree’.