The Troublesome Journey of the Finlaggan: A Series of Technical Setbacks

The Finlaggan, a vital ferry servicing the Kennacraig-Islay route, has recently encountered a series of mechanical issues that have disrupted its operations. Most notably, on December 11, 2023, the vessel suffered a technical problem with its port-side main engine. This incident led to the cancellation of key sailings, including the 1:00 p.m. departure from Kennacraig and the 3:30 p.m. service from Port Askaig. CalMac, the operator, indicated that further updates would be available the same day regarding the 6:00 p.m. departure.Adding to the woes of the Finlaggan, the vessel faced another technical challenge on December 31, involving a fuel pump issue. This resulted in a delayed departure from Kennacraig, originally set for 1:00 p.m., which was pushed back to 2:30 p.m. The knock-on effects of this delay also impacted the subsequent sailing from Port Askaig. Thankfully, after prompt repairs, the vessel was able to resume operations and load traffic, departing Kennacraig as soon as conditions allowed.The latest incident occurred on January 18, 2026, when the Finlaggan experienced a generator issue. As a precaution, the ferry was repositioned to Kennacraig, leading to the cancellation of the afternoon sailing. This disruption extended into the following day, resulting in the cancellation of both the 07:00 a.m. service from Kennacraig and the 09:45 a.m. service from Port Ellen on January 19. Fortunately, once the generator issue was resolved, the ferry managed to resume service with its scheduled 1:00 p.m. sailing from Kennacraig.These recent technical setbacks highlight the operational challenges faced by the Finlaggan and raise concerns for passengers relying on this crucial transport link to Islay. Continuously monitoring and addressing these mechanical issues will be imperative for CalMac to ensure the reliability of the service and maintain customer confidence going forward.