Island Crossings

Ardrossan port staff deal with delays, while the Oban pier team face a charity challenge that has them gagging. Meanwhile, it’s the first day of school for an island schoolboy.

Twenty new apprentices join the ranks of CalMac, while Tiree crofters ready their cattle for the final island market of the season, drawing buyers from across Scotland.

Weather and mechanical issues cause havoc across the network, jeopardising thousands of pounds in fresh Barra shellfish, and there is a hotly contested oyster competition.

CalMac engineer Fergus races in the annual Mull Rally, and CEO Robbie gets hands-on in the MV Caledonian Isles engine room as things start to go wrong.

A freight backlog in Stornoway has area operations manager Fiona struggling to keep supply lines to the isles open, and CalMac trainee sisters Tanya and Natalie go to sea.

One ferry’s overhaul costs £2.8 million, but unforeseen issues could result in an extended dry dock with huge implications for the network and island communities.

Dry dock delays and breakdowns cause chaos across the network, triggering a crisis meeting at HQ. On Islay whisky freight, tourists and locals vie for space on the ferry.

Kerrera Island’s annual triathlon is at risk due to bad weather weather, while a folk legend explains why being a binman on Barra makes him proud.