SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Allan Allan, has welcomed the news that a ferry has been bought from Norwegian shipping firm Norled, and is expected to be in operation on CalMac’s Oban – Mull route from the summer of 2022.

MV Utne will be transferred to CMAL at the end of this month and will undergo modifications and staff training over the winter period. She will accommodate 195 passengers and 34 cars. The additional tonnage, at a cost of £9m, will have a knock-on benefit for the Western Isles as this will allow vessels to be moved elsewhere on the network.

Commenting on the news, Alasdair Allan said:

“The addition of MV Utne to CalMac’s fleet will help ease some of the pressure on our ferry services that has been so evident over recent months. As everyone in the islands knows, people have been badly affected by service disruptions this year.

"MV Utne is of course only one part of solving that, but she is a welcome one. In the meantime, CalMac needs to keep working to ensure that the needs of islanders are prioritised and that these lifeline services operate as they should.”