Loch-Bhrusda Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On July 29, the 'Loch Bhrushda', which operates between Berneray and Leverburgh, encountered an unexpected engine malfunction early in the morning. This technical issue necessitated in-depth examinations, leading to the unfortunate cancellation of the ferry's scheduled departures—specifically the 07:00 a.m. from Berneray and the 08:25 a.m. from Leverburgh. Passengers and local residents should be aware that downstream sailings may also face disruptions or further cancellations. The situation is compounded by the recent withdrawal of the 'Loch Portain' from the route, prompting the 'Loch Bhrushda' to be reassigned from its previous Mallaig-Armadale service, where the 'Coruisk' was maintaining a single vessel timetable until August 6. For the latest updates and service status, please visit: https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/#/service-status/033?route=18.

The ferry 'Loch Bhrushda', which operates the Berneray-Leverburgh route, faced a persistent technical malfunction necessitating its sidelining for repairs on July 13, 2023. In the interim, the passenger charter vessel m/v 'Pabbay Lass' took over the service with a modified schedule from Leverburgh Pontoons and Fishermans Pier in Berneray, running until July 21. However, the 'Pabbay Lass' has a limited capacity, allowing only 12 passengers, along with bicycles, dogs, and a maximum of five infants on board, making it unsuitable for individuals with mobility constraints. On July 16, the 'Loch Bhrushda' encountered a recurrence of its stern steering issue, compelling it to return to Mallaig for safe harbor. Following this setback, the 'Coruisk' operated a single vessel service until July 22 with the following ferry timings: From Mallaig, departures were at 07:40 a.m., 09:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:25 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:40 p.m. From Armadale, the departures were at 08:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:35 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 5:50 p.m., and 6:30 p.m. To facilitate the monitoring of repair outcomes, the 'Loch Bhrushda' remained on the Mallaig-Armadale route until July 22. Subsequently, the 'Coruisk' continued its single vessel timetable for the Berneray-Leverburgh route from July 23 through August 6. For current service status updates, visit https://www.calmac.co.uk/en-gb/service-status/#/service-status/033?route=18.

A vehicle malfunction on the car deck of the 'Loch Bhrusda' caused a delay on the Mallaig to Armadale ferry route on June 2, 2026. The incident occurred in the afternoon, prompting a postponement of the ferry’s planned departure at 2:45 p.m. until the car was safely removed. Subsequently, the 'Loch Bhrusda' was able to set sail an hour later at 3:45 p.m. This delay also affected the ferry's next scheduled departure from Armadale, which was pushed back to 4:30 p.m. Thankfully, the nearby ferry 'Coruisk' continued to operate its sailings as per the timetable, ensuring minimal disruption for other travelers.

On April 7, 2026, the ferry 'Loch Brushda', which operates on the Berneray-Leverburgh route, experienced a major technical malfunction related to its forward main engine, necessitating the procurement of spare parts. This unfortunate situation led to the cancellation of services on that day. In response, the charter vessel 'Rodwell' was deployed from April 8 to April 11 to maintain service continuity, following the established timetable. However, it’s important to note that 'Rodwell' is exclusively a passenger vessel, resulting in limited capacity for travelers. From April 11 onward, the vessel 'Leslie-Anne' took over as a vehicle charter service, adhering to a modified timetable to accommodate vehicle transport. On April 13, the 'Loch Brushda' was reported on its way to the Sound of Harris, with plans to resume regular service by April 15.

On September 1, 2025, the ferry 'Loch Bhrusda', which operates the Mallaig-Small route, encountered a technical issue that necessitated its return to Mallaig for further evaluation. In response to this disruption, the operators promptly deployed the 'Miss Marley' as a temporary replacement vessel starting September 2, 2025. The adjusted sailing schedule for the 'Miss Marley' is as follows: It departs Mallaig at 08:00 a.m., reaches Muck at 10:00 a.m., then leaves Muck at 10:15 a.m. to arrive at Eigg by 10:45 a.m. Following this, it departs Eigg at 11:00 a.m. and arrives at Rum at 12:30 p.m. The vessel then leaves Rum at 1:00 p.m., heading back to Mallaig and arriving at 3:00 p.m. The service continues on September 3 with departures from Mallaig at 10:00 a.m. to Eigg, arriving at 12:00 p.m., then a departure from Eigg at 12:15 p.m., reaching Muck by 12:45 p.m., followed by a departure from Muck at 1:00 p.m., and ultimately returning to Mallaig by 3:30 p.m. Once the technical issue with the 'Loch Bhrusda' is rectified, it is expected to resume its normal operations and schedule.