Sailings operating to/from Port Askaig only

Due to the closure of Port Ellen from Tuesday 2 June, an amended timetable operates between Kennacraig-Port Askaig.

View the amended timetable operating from Tuesday 2 June.

Read our guide to travelling to Islay during the Port Ellen closure.

Reason: Operational

Important information for customers travelling

Due to a technical issue with the Mezzanine decks on MV Isle of Islay, vehicle capacity will be reduced until further notice. An update regarding repairs to the Mezzanine deck will be provided as soon as possible.

Due to an issue with MV Isle of Islay's clam doors, the vessel will load traffic stern only. This may result in longer turnarounds and vehicles may be required to reverse on/off the vessel. Assistance will be provided where required.

Passengers travelling on MV Isle of Islay sailings will be required to embark/disembark via the car deck whilst there is an ongoing issue with the gangway in Kennacraig.

Tuesday 29 September

To allow essential repair work to be carried out to MV Finlaggan’s mezzanine deck, the following sailings are cancelled:

Depart Kennacraig – 13:00

Depart Port Askaig – 15:35

Sailings operated by MV isle of Islay will operate as timetabled.

Information for vehicle customers

Port Askaig

Port Askaig operates a barrier system to manage access to the vehicle lanes. Access is restricted to checked-in vehicles only. Please note that the barrier will close following the final sailing of the day.

Overnight parking within the vehicle lanes is not permitted.

Kennacraig

Parking is not guaranteed at Kennacraig port as demand is very high and available spaces are limited.

The car park operates on a first come first served basis and customers should be prepared to find alternative parking where possible.

MV Isle of Islay catering information

Please note that hot food will not be served in the Mariners Café on the following MV Isle of Islay sailings:

Wednesdays: 20:30 departure from Port Askaig

Saturdays: 19:10 depature from Port Askaig

A selection of light snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks, are available.

MV Isle of Islay's clam doors

Due to an issue with MV Isle of Islay's clam doors, the vessel will load traffic stern only.

This may result in longer turnarounds and vehicles may be required to reverse on/off the vessel. Assistance will be provided where required.

Overnight Road Closure A82 between Firkin Point and Inverarnan

BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will be carrying out overnight carriageway maintenance works on the A82 between Firkin Point and Inverarnan from 17 September to 4 November 2026. Works will take place between 19:00 and 06:00, with no works planned on Friday or Saturday nights.

During parts of the programme, overnight road closures and diversion routes will be in place between Tarbet and Crianlarich.

Customers travelling to and from our services are advised to allow additional time for their journey during the works period.

Port Ellen closed from Tuesday 2 June

From Tuesday 2 June, Port Ellen will close for essential infrastructure improvements, expected to complete in 2029.

While the works are underway, all CalMac sailings to Islay will operate between Kennacraig and Port Askaig. We have contacted all customers that had originally booked to/from Port Ellen and amended bookings to/from Port Askaig. If you had previously booked to/from Port Ellen and have been transferred to travel to/from Port Askaig instead, you can claim back taxi or public transport costs through our passenger rights process. Please visit our passenger rights information page for details and access to the claim form.

View Kennacraig – Port Askaig timetable operating from Tuesday 2 June.

Port staff will be onsite in a Customer Support vehicle outside the entrance of Port Ellen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 09:00 – 14:00 to assist with new bookings, amendments and enquiries until Friday 11 September. Card payments only will be accepted.

Port Askaig is expected to be much busier than normal and additional digital signage will be in place on the way to the port. Customers are advised not to arrive ahead of check-in time as space is very limited and you may be asked to leave the site and return at the correct time.

Read our guide to travelling to Islay during the Port Ellen closure.

Winter Timetable 2026/27

The winter 2026/27 timetable for this route is available to view online and bookings are now open.

Sailings will operate between Kennacraig - Port Askaig.

Subscriber texts

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