The new arrangements which commence on 1 October 2025 were confirmed by Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop on 30 September 2025.

Cllr Uisdean Robertson, Chair of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee said: 

“The Comhairle cautiously welcomed the direct award of the Clyde and Hebrides ferry contract when it was first announced in May, and as the new contract commences the Comhairle’s cautious position remains the same. Our communities have experienced detrimental disruption and uncertainty under the last ferry contract. While the move to public service delivery is positive, communities that have waited a long time for basic service improvements, will need more than a change of operational direction to convince them that their situation will improve. There must be no repeat of the mistakes of the past. We need stronger accountability, real transparency on costs and performance, and genuine involvement of communities in decision-making.

“This contract gives CalMac an opportunity to deliver the service improvements that our communities desperately need. Island voices must be more clearly present at every level of decision making in the future and this will be the mark of a genuine shift in delivery and accountability.”