** Update – Work on LOTI still ongoing, and not now expected to leave Liverpool until Monday. If you have a booking you should be contacted as usual. Check the CalMac status page – its likely that like like the last few days, tickets may only be available to purchase online or in person**
Lord of the Isles is still in Liverpool having work carried out on her MES (Marine Evacuation System), so MV Isle of Arran (IOA) still can’t leave the Lochboisdale service and operate alongside the Frisa.
Weather-related cancellations of the Lochboisdale service through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have also had impacts – positively by making the IOA available to operate some additional runs to Craignure today; and negatively at times by occupying the berth and making it impossible for the Frisa to get into Oban.
Because this has resulted in an ad-hoc timetable with multiple changes, online booking is not available for today (Wednesday) and tomorrow at least. All tickets must be bought in person or over the phone. It’s unclear at this stage whether that arrangement will continue over the weekend. Keep an eye on the Craignure-Oban status page.
Just trying to book for Friday. Central Office in Gourock are viewing everything on their screens as ‘fully booked’ so can’t book for us. Can’t book these online either. And can’t get through to local ports on the phone! Not sure how folks are supposed to book without driving to the port office itself.