Bus operator West Coast Motors blames 30% cut in Mull passengers on CalMac ferry disruption

West Coast Motors (WCM) said the situation had “worsened significantly” over several years with the reduction in day trippers reflecting “just how severely ferry instability is holding the island back”.

WCM communications director Sharon Morrison: “Despite a busy bank holiday weekend in Oban and good weather, our Mull day tours and local bus services were down around 30 per cent compared with the previous year.

"This is deeply concerning, especially after the difficult summer of 2025, when many felt things could not get any worse.

“It highlights how ferry disruption is limiting visitor movement and suppressing demand. Continued cancellations and reduced sailings are clearly affecting confidence.

“We are seeing a sustained drop in patronage on Mull that directly correlates with ferry reliability issues, as passengers cannot depend on connections.

“This is now having wider reputational consequences. Reliable connectivity is essential for residents and visitors alike, and the perception of an unreliable network risks long-term damage to the west coast’s accessibility and appeal.

"From our experience, the situation has worsened significantly the past few years, with reliability declining year on year.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats transport spokesperson Jamie Greene, who raised the WCM issue, said ferry cancellations were having a knock-on impact on the whole island economy.

Meanwhile, the official Mull and Iona Ferry Committee, which represents passengers, said problems with CalMac’s fleet had “drastically reduced” ferry capacity on the “critical artery” to the mainland.

Isle of Mull, the main ferry on the island’s principal route between Oban and Craignure, is standing in for broken-down vessels elsewhere.

One of its replacements, Coruisk, can carry only about a quarter of its 962 passengers and two thirds of its 62 cars.

Isle of Arran has now taken the place of Coruisk but only has space for half as many passengers as Isle of Mull.

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Ferry committee chair Joe Reade said: “As a near-mainland island with many ‘honey pot’ attractions such as Iona Abbey, Staffa and Tobermory harbour, a big part of our tourism economy relies on day trippers being able to make the journey from Oban. Right now, that critical artery is restricted.”

However, Mr Reade said Isle of Mull was due back within days and urged visitors not to be deterred.

The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ election pledges include higher compensation for disrupted organisations.

Mr Greene said: “This shows how ferry cancellations have a knock on impact on other businesses and the whole island economy", while the ferries fiasco “has become a national embarrassment.”

A CalMac spokesperson said: “We experienced network-wide disruption over a period of several weeks recently and Mull's service was particularly affected.

“The main Mull route was served by less capacity during this disruption and we apologise to customers who have had their travel plans affected.

“The good news is that Isle of Arran and Loch Frisa are now operating a two-vessel service between Oban and Craignure, offering higher capacity and more certainty for passengers.

“A larger vessel has been deployed on Mull's secondary route between Lochaline and Fishnish for several weeks, offering an increase in capacity of approximately 45 per cent on that service.”