Schedule Part 1 - Services

FINAL - SIGNED ON 23/09/25

The Services

The Services include the Scheduled Ferry Services and Unscheduled Ferry Services

The Ferry Services comprise both Scheduled and Unscheduled public transport services by sea, including but not limited to the transport of passengers, accompanied and unaccompanied vehicles, unaccompanied goods, livestock lorries, and Dangerous Goods, between the Harbours and Ports and delivered from and onto quay. These services encompass all associated activities required in connection therewith, as set out in and/or required pursuant to this Agreement and may be varied in accordance with Clause 9 (Variations to Services). Scheduled Ferry Services refer to those services operated regularly in accordance with an agreed timetable and include the Freight Services. Unscheduled Ferry Services are provided in response to specific circumstances and special events that temporarily generate increased demand, including the Associated Lifeline Services. An illustrative but non-exhaustive list of such events and circumstances is set out in Appendix 1 to this Schedule Part 1.

The Scheduled and Unscheduled Ferry Services also include the transportation of Heavy freight and loose freight and parcels as defined separately by Scottish Ministers.

The CHFS network covers the west coast, from Campbeltown in the south to Stornoway in the north. The geographical area of operations and the Routes are shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2.

CFL shall provide the Scheduled Ferry Services and the Unscheduled Ferry Services in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner on the Routes required by Scottish Ministers (which as at the date of this Agreement are listed in the table below) and in accordance with the Timetable or as agreed with the Scottish Ministers.

Table 1 - Routes
Ardmhor (Barra) - Eriskay Gourock - Kilcreggan Oban - Colonsay
Ardrossan/Troon - Brodick Kennacraig - Islay Oban - Craignure
Ardrossan - Campbeltown Kennacraig - Islay/C'say/Oban Oban - Lismore
Berneray - Leverburgh Largs - Cumbrae Slip Sconser - Raasay
Claonaig - Lochranza (Summer only and Winter 2025/26) Mallaig - Armadale Tarbert LF - Portavadie
Colintraive - Rhubodach Mallaig - Eigg/Muck/Rum/Canna Tayinloan - Gigha
Fionnphort - Iona Mallaig/Oban - Lochboisdale Tobermory - Kilchoan
Fishnish - Lochaline Oban - Castlebay Uig - Tarbert/Lochmaddy
Gallanach - Kerrera Oban - Coll/Tiree Ullapool - Stornoway
Gourock - Dunoon Oban - Coll/Tiree/Colonsay Wemyss Bay - Rothesay

Unless otherwise specified all of the Routes noted are year-round passenger, vehicle and freight services.

Scottish Ministers reserve the right to introduce during the Grant Period additional services and Routes, within the CHFS network. This may include altering the tonnage.

The Services include:

The staffing of terminals and harbour facilities for the purposes of embarking and disembarking passengers, including those with disabilities or additional needs, loading and discharging of accompanied vehicles, unaccompanied vehicles, unaccompanied goods, livestock lorries and Dangerous Goods (as defined separately by Scottish Ministers).

Facilities for accepting reservations, issuing tickets and other relevant documentation and marketing the operation of a common timetable, ticketing and fares database for all Routes permitting reservation sales and credit card payments by telephone and internet as well as at CFL's office and through authorised agents.

The provision of a detailed internet website and smartphone “app” providing links to on-line information and reservation systems, seasonal timetables, a customer contact centre, variable notice boards to flag any disruptions and changes to the Services caused by bad weather, and the provision of real time information to passengers (through the website, smartphone app, on vessels and in Harbour offices and waiting rooms) and to road and public transport information systems for travellers to and from the Ferry Services, and the operation and servicing of the variable message boards at the following locations:

  • Barra
  • Claonaig
  • Cumbrae
  • Eriskay
  • Fishnish
  • Iona
  • Kilchoan
  • Leverburgh
  • Lochaline
  • Lochmaddy
  • Lochranza
  • Otternish
  • Portavadie
  • Rhubodach
  • Sconser
  • Tarbert (Harris)
  • Tarbert (Loch Fyne)
  • Tayinloan
  • Broadford
  • Fort William
  • Skye Bridge

Noting that CFL shall undertake a review of the provision of all variable message boards within the context of the wider digital and technology strategies. Any recommendations for decommissioning message boards will be outlined within the annual business plan for TS approval.

The active participation (including the adoption of logos and use of hyper-text link) of CFL in Traveline, Traffic Scotland and any other public transport information and/or journey planning website specified by Scottish Ministers in place of or in addition to either of them) and co-operation, with relevant tourist organisations and operators of train and local bus services and other ferry operators in the Clyde and Hebrides to achieve integrated timetables, facilitate integrated services, participate in marketing initiatives and promote linkage between the Services and other modes of transport in the Clyde and Hebrides;

The operation of a passenger recording system (where applicable).

The safe and efficient management and operation and maintenance of the Vessels including the provision of appropriate catering and all necessary administration facilities (all as more fully set out in Schedule Part 3 (Vessels and Ports)).

The provision of Unscheduled Ferry Services, where operationally feasible (where reasonable and safe to do so) including additional sailings for the transport of livestock or for special events, or during or following disruption of services, as specified in Appendix 1 of this Schedule Part 1.

Additional requirements in respect of the Services, which will be delivered in accordance with the Additional Sailings decision making process where appropriate.

The Services shall be operated employing the name Caledonian MacBrayne in accordance with the Trademark Licence and the Heraldic Device Agreement and no other service name shall be employed without the prior consent of Scottish Ministers. Where, with the agreement of Scottish Ministers, CFL provides a vessel not being a Fleet Vessel then it will fly the house flag but will not require to be painted in the Caledonian MacBrayne livery.

The Services whether on a scheduled or relief basis will include displaying the names of CMAL Vessels in both Gaelic and English as well as the provision of bi-lingual (Gaelic and English) announcements, literature, and signage in passenger areas of Vessels currently serving the following Routes:

  • Stornoway ­ Ullapool
  • Uig ­ Lochmaddy & Tarbert (Harris)
  • Oban ­ Craignure
  • Oban ­ Colonsay
  • Oban – Colonsay – Port Askaig - Kennacraig
  • Oban – Castlebay - Lochboisdale
  • Oban – Coll & Tiree (including inter-island links to Barra)
  • Islay ­ Kennacraig
  • Berneray ­ Leverburgh
  • Sconser ­ Raasay
  • Oban ­ Lismore
  • Tobermory ­ Kilchoan
  • Portavadie ­ Tarbert (Loch Fyne) 
  • Mallaig ­ Armadale, Run, Eigg & Muck

CFL shall participate fully in any integrated ticketing initiatives which are considered by Scottish Ministers to benefit the public as outlined in the Smart Ticketing section.

CFL shall liaise with rail and bus operators to seek contingency arrangements where possible in the event that sailings are delayed or cancelled.

 In exceptional circumstances, CFL may (but is not required to) assess the possibility of offering additional and / or alternative modes of transport. Any such assessment shall take into account the reasonable community needs and include an appropriate costs and benefits analysis. CFL shall not be obliged to implement any additional and / or alternative modes of transport following such an assessment.

  • If the costs of providing alternative transport modes are cost neutral, CFL is permitted to act accordingly to ensure passengers are not overly inconvenienced.
  • Otherwise, plans must be submitted to Scottish Ministers for review and consideration.

The Services include lifeline support to the emergency services as required and CFL will provide the emergency services with out of hours contact details for the purpose of providing this support.

CFL shall comply with Scottish Ministers out of hours resilience arrangements for notification, should an emergency occur.

The timetables for the Services will comprise of a combined Winter Timetable and a Summer Timetable. The Summer Timetable will apply for a minimum of 28 continuous weeks The minimum duration of the Summer Timetable is from the first day of each Tariff Period (being the start of the majority of Scottish Easter school holidays or Good Friday of the Easter weekend, whichever is earlier) until the end of the majority of Scottish schools’ half term break in October (usually the third Sunday in October). The Summer Timetable will start on a Friday and end on a Sunday. The Winter Timetable will apply for the remainder of the year.

CFL shall produce and distribute either an annual brochure or 6-monthly brochures in the form of electronic booklets, with hard copies made available on request, covering all Routes covered by the Services. The brochure must advertise timetables and booking information for all Routes and shall be published no later than October each year, setting out the impending Summer Timetable and fares and in the case of an annual brochure the immediately following Winter Timetable as well as timetable information for connecting public transport services. Where 6-monthly brochures are published they shall be published no later than the preceding April. For example, brochures that show the summer and winter timetables.

When proposing changes to the format of all timetables CFL shall consult with the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) to ensure suitability of the format for a diverse range of ferry users.

Each brochure required pursuant to paragraph 1.6.10 must include without charge timetables for other ferry services provided by local authorities and private operators in the Clyde and Hebrides. CFL must engage with local tourist boards and actively participate in local initiatives. CFL shall permit other organisations to advertise the relevant ferry services information in equivalent or relevant promotional channels. Where provided timetables must also be published on CFLs website and be available on-board Vessels, and in Harbour offices and waiting rooms.

The Services include a requirement on CFL to attend and contribute to meetings with Scottish Ministers in relation to Route and vessel development, where requested by the Scottish Ministers.

CFL shall agree with the Mobility Access Committee Scotland, appropriate intermodal transfer windows for each Port and allow such time within the timetables wherever possible, without negatively impacting on the delivery of the ferry services.

CFL shall provide the Services in accordance with Clause 5 (Services).

CFL shall comply with any statutory guidance issued or approved by Scottish Ministers relevant to transport.

Summer and Winter Timetables

CFL is responsible for designing and updating the Timetable to reflect community needs, operational conditions, service demand, stakeholder engagement, and user preferences, as set out in Clause 7 (Timetable). Winter 2025/26 timetables to be finalised before the Commencement Date, thereafter timetables will be finalised as per the milestones in Table 2. Following completion of the Islands Connectivity Plan (ICP) Community Needs Assessments (CNA) for individual Routes, as contemplated in Annex A of Schedule Part 11 (Performance Review and Reporting), CFL will work with Transport Scotland to appraise the options identified for each Route, and through consultation with local communities and stakeholders, will develop timetables that deliver the requirements set out by Scottish Ministers through the agreed timetable development process

CFL will take ownership of the Community Needs Assessment (CNA) process with effect from 2029, including conducting the assessments. This responsibility will be in collaboration with Scottish Ministers, who will maintain ownership of the overarching CNA methodology.

CFL will own and lead steps one to four of the CNA process, while steps five and six will be owned and led by TS in conjunction with Scottish Ministers (see Annex A). Steps one to four cover the analysis of performance data and the comparison of current services with identified community needs. Steps five and six cover the generation, appraisal, and costing of options to achieve closer alignment between needs and provision. This change aims to optimise the use of the CFL’s information and expertise in the assessment process as well as the CFL’s understanding of operational and technical opportunities and constraints.

The summer and winter timetables should reflect the Scottish Ministers intentions on the delivery of the Islands Connectivity Plan, within the grounds of operational practicability.

At the start of each timetable development period, and not less than 8 months before the expected timetable commencement date, CFL shall agree with Scottish Ministers, delivery dates for each of the following key milestones.

  • Initiation and completion of consultation
  • Completion of impact assessments
  • Scottish Ministers approval of proposed changes
  • Timetable publication
  • Availability of timetables for online booking

Once approved CFL shall publish these dates on their website and provide regular updates on progress throughout the timetable development process.

At the outset of the timetable development process, CFL shall engage with communities through an agreed consultation framework to identify any potential adjustments, ensuring that the services provided meet the needs of local communities, agriculture, industry, and tourism.

Additionally, CFL may propose timetable enhancements to improve service efficiency and effectiveness. CFL is permitted to implement such changes without Scottish Ministers approval, provided they have community support, which must be confirmed in writing. Any changes that do not have community support must be submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval. Scottish Ministers are unable to reasonably withhold approval where such adjustments are required to ensure compliance with all regulatory or legislative requirements.

Any requests for adjustments to service levels must include an assessment of potential impacts on demand, along with a cost impact evaluation. Scottish Ministers approval is mandatory for such changes.

CFL may implement timetable modifications without Scottish Ministers approval if they meet the following conditions:

  • Operational feasibility is maintained
  • The change is cost-neutral
  • No alterations to vessel deployment or availability are required
  • Compliance with Fatigue Management Rules is ensured

CFL shall notify Scottish Ministers in writing of any such changes.

Any amendments beyond those criteria outlined above will require formal Scottish Ministers approval, supported by a detailed cost-benefit and impact analysis.

Deliverables and Milestones

CFL is required to provide all deliverables and meet all milestones outlined in Table 2. Additionally, CFL may propose additional deliverables and milestones for approval by Scottish Ministers.

Table 2

Deliverable/Milestone

Delivery Date

At the start of each timetable development period, and not less than 8 months before the expected timetable commencement date, CFL shall agree with Scottish Ministers, delivery dates for each stage of the specified timetable development process.

Not less than 8 months before the expected timetable commencement date

Publish the timetable development dates on the website within 7 days of receipt and provide monthly updates on progress throughout the timetable development process.

Within 7 days of confirmation of timetable development dates then monthly

Demand and Capacity Management

CFL shall produce, publish, and implement a Demand and Capacity Management Plan to ensure short term and long-term forecasting of demand is undertaken.

The plan must encompass demand forecasting, capacity and Route optimisation, and analysis of previous carrying statistics. Additionally, it should inform the collaboration between CFL and Scottish Ministers to develop policy to manage demand and capacity. The plan should outline how excess demand will be managed, in line with the policies set out in the Islands Connectivity Plan, including community and stakeholder consultation, implementing measures and trials. It should also provide insights into effective and efficient methods, potentially differentiating between passenger and vehicle traffic provision, such as cars, coaches, and freight.

Deliverables and Milestones

CFL is required to provide all deliverables and meet all milestones outlined in Table 3. Additionally, CFL may propose additional deliverables and milestones for approval by Scottish Ministers.

Table 3
Deliverable/Milestone Delivery Date
Demand and Capacity Management Plan to be produced, published and implemented CP2 (October 2026)
Demand and Capacity Management Plan to be reviewed and amended Annually

Catering and Retail Services

CFL shall produce, publish, and implement a Catering and Retail Services Plans to manage the delivery of catering and retail offerings across the network, as detailed in Table 4. These plans shall cover provisions both at ports/harbours and onboard Fleet Vessels and must be provided in both graphical and text-to-speech readable formats. CFL may propose additional deliverables and milestones for approval by the Scottish Ministers

The Catering and Retail Services section of the plan for each Route, should detail the facilities and approach to catering and retail provision, including:

the product range to be retailed and/or services to be provided;

use of locally sourced products where feasible;

the facilities proposed for self-service drinks and snacks not requiring site preparation;

self-service hot food; and

table service hot food.

Deliverables and Milestones

CFL is required to provide all deliverables and meet all milestones outlined in Table 4. Additionally, CFL may propose additional deliverables and milestones for approval by Scottish Ministers.

Table 4
Deliverable/Milestone Delivery Date
CFL shall produce, publish, and implement a Catering and Retail Services Plan (in graphical and in 'text to speech readable' format) showing the catering services at each port / harbour and on the fleet vessels - publishing online. (Menus available upon request) (including any updates made thereto). Commencement Date and ongoing thereafter
CFL shall create maps indicating the location of individual producers and the types of products they manufacture and make any necessary updates thereto. Commencement Date and ongoing thereafter
CFL shall endeavour to include SMEs and sustainability into their catering procurement strategy. Commencement Date and ongoing thereafter
CFL shall produce detailed statements by vessel and Route showing retail revenue and expenditure Monthly

Disruption Management Plan

CFL shall produce, publish and implement a Disruption Management Plan that encompasses the following:

Network and area-specific operational contingency plans. These contingency plans must consider Local Resilience Partnership(s) (LRPs) involvement, where appropriate. If necessary, these should be developed and exercised in partnership with the relevant LRP(s), setting out the role of CFL as part of the wider LRP response and utilised accordingly when required.

An up-to-date vessel/berth matrix outlining which vessels can be deployed to which routes and on what basis i.e. stern-only, tidally restricted etc.

Route Prioritisation Framework which specifies the vessel deployment decision-making processes to help direct services during major periods of disruption.

Processes used to measure forecasted demand during disruptions and mechanisms in place to identify and support any potential capacity shortfalls.

Processes for consulting on major changes with local community groups and how these changes are considered within the wider decision-making processes.

Localised traffic prioritisation processes that articulate how traffic will be prioritised during disruptions.

Details of the processes to ensure distribution of concise, accurate and understandable regionalised and specific customer communications, including the basis for deployment decisions.

Specific procedures or protocols for providing necessary documents and information in case of a need for a substitute vessel.

Associated Lifeline Services

As part of the Services, CFL shall be required to respond to certain requirements for associated sea transport services in the Clyde & Hebrides which require to be supported by CFL employing Fleet Vessels. An illustrative non-exhaustive list of such events is set out below:

Commercial sailings for the Ministry of Defence vehicles that cannot be accommodated by a standard sailing in the Timetable.

extra sailings as required for Dangerous Goods.

vessel charters for relief purposes to local authorities providing ferry services on a commercial basis in the Clyde & Hebrides.

special sailings to Kerrera for a fuel tanker.

commercial sailings to convey abnormal loads, contractor's plant, generators and similar items.

or other instances as directed by Scottish Ministers, Emergency services or Coastguard.

Pilot Project Trials

CFL will engage with stakeholders on potential trial projects which should be assessed against deliverability and affordability. Following evaluation, CFL will engage with Transport Scotland on whether the scheme should be continued on a permanent basis and potentially expanded to other areas of the network.

Such opportunities can be developed and delivered as pilot projects to assess their feasibility and, where they are demonstrated to deliver the anticipated benefits, may be implemented on a wider or permanent basis.

All opportunities that are likely to incur significant additional costs, will be submitted through the annual business plan for the approval of Scottish Ministers.

Appendix 1 - Services

Unscheduled Ferry Services referred to in paragraph 1.2 of this Schedule Part (should be subject to annual review by CFL & Scottish Ministers).

  1. Mull Rally
  2. Islay Show
  3. Isle of Bute Jazz Festival
  4. Rothesay Regatta
  5. Isle of Bute Folk Festival
  6. Mountstuart Motor Classic
  7. Bute Highland Games
  8. Bute Motorcycle Rally
  9. Cumbrae Country & Western Festival
  10. Millport Illuminations
  11. Tiree Wave Classic
  12. Royal National Mod week
  13. Heb Celt Festival
  14. Livestock sailings between Oban and Tiree (usually one in August, one in October and two in February)
  15. Livestock sailings from Islay to mainland (usually one in April and two between October and December)
  16. Extra sailings on Largs-Cumbrae Slip to clear traffic or accommodate Dangerous Goods
  17. Colonsay Book Festival
  18. Islay Whisky Festival
  19. Tiree Music Festival