'Normal service' due to resume on CalMac routes after weeks of disruption

CalMac expects "normal service" to be restored on multiple routes after weeks of disruption on its west coast network as one of its major ferries returns from repairs.

MV Hebrides is back in service on the Little Minch after engineers fixed a leak in its bow visor, the front section of the boat that can be raised to allow vehicles on and off.

CalMac said this would mean that by the end of the week planned levels of service and usual vessels would be in place on Coll, Colonsay, Mull, South Uist and Tiree.

At one point in April, 10 vessels from its 32-strong ferry fleet were out of action due to technical faults, annual overhauls or crewing issues.

The disruption featured in some of the political campaigning ahead of the Scottish election last week.

MV Hebrides resumed operations on the Little Minch, servicing Skye, Harris and North Uist, on Wednesday afternoon.

CalMac said other routes served by major vessels were already operating normally.

Chief executive Duncan Mackison said: "The return of MV Hebrides gets us back to a welcome stable service across the routes served by major vessels and allows us to restore planned service levels to five islands.

"This includes an increase in capacity and resilience to Coll, Tiree and Colonsay, greater capacity on Mull and the restoration of a direct service to South Uist."

Mackison said the past few weeks had been "immensely challenging", and he thanked staff for their hard work and island communities for their understanding of the situation.

He said there were still two major vessels due to return from planned overhauls this month - MV Isle of Lewis and MV Finlaggan.

MV Isle of Lewis, which had its time in dry dock extended by three months for additional steel work, is due to undertake sea trials later this week.