Caledonian MacBrayne (Scottish Gaelic: Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn), usually shortened to Cal Mac, is the major operator of passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast. Since 200o6 the
company's official name has been CalMac Ferries Ltd although it still operates as Caledonian MacBrayne. In 2006 it also became a subsidiary of holding company David MacBrayne Ltd, which is owned by the Scottish Government. Vessels are owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), and operated by CalMac Ferries Ltd. There are 29 vessels in current service, with nine 'major units' - ships of 80 m or more in length. The largest ship is MV Isle of Lewis at 101 m in length. The others are MV Clansman, MV Hebrides, MV Caledonian Isles, MV Isle of Mull, MV Hebridean Isles, MV Finlaggan, MV Isle of Arran and MV Lord of the Isles. There are 13 "Loch Class" vessels in different shapes and sizes. These double-ended ferries are mostly symmetrical when viewed from the side, with no operational bow or stern (although in official documents the designation of such is given). MV Loch Portain is able to handle Force 7 gales and carry 36 cars and 149 passengers, with a crew of five. Calmac's smallest vessels are the 22.5 m "Island Class" ferries, built as predecessors to the "Loch Class". They are now slowly being taken out of service, with only two of the original 8 remaining in the fleet. The company is adapting to the demands of 21st century. MV Lochnevis (2000) was designed for the Small Isles service. MV Bute (2005) and MV Argyle (2007), both built in Gdansk, Poland, have taken over the Wemyss Bay / Rothesay route. A new "super loch", MV Loch Shira entered service in 2007 on the Largs / Cumbrae route. The latest vessel, MV Finlaggan has operated the Islay service since 2011. Also built in Poland, at a cost of £24.5 million, she is 89.90m long and can carry 550 passengers with 88 cars. Another 2 Ferries have been ordered from Ferguson Shipbuilders on the Clyde. The boats, will carry up to 150 passengers and accommodate about 23 cars or two HGVs. The first ferry "Hallaig" will be placed on the route Sconser, on Skye, to the sparsely populated island of Raasay the route for the second vessel has not been decided but has been named "LOCHINVAR". A New Ferry has Been Ordered from Germany to replace "ISLE OF LEWIS" and was named "LOCH SEAFORTH" and was delivered in 2014.
2015: Two 330 feet long new car ferries have been ordered from Ferguson Marine for delivery in 2018 @ a cost of £97M. The first for Ardrossan - Brodick "Glen Sannox" and the 2nd for the Uig Triangle "To be named".