Exploring cultures and communities – the slow way

The ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has always had a dash of Scottish spirit. But this spring CalMac is facing a challenge with a rival company bidding to take control of the lifeline ferry routes in the Hebrides and Clyde regions.

article summary —

Look out for news in May this year as the Scottish government reveals which company will secure the contract to operate the major ferry routes in the Clyde and to the Hebrides.

Incumbent operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac for short), which is state owned, is facing a challenge from English outsourcing conglomerate Serco, which already has transport interests in Scotland. In 2012 Serco took over the ferry routes from the mainland to Orkney and Shetland which had been run by CalMac under the NorthLink brand. Last year, Serco was awarded the contract for the Anglo-Scottish Caledonian Sleeper overnight rail services.


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hidden europe

and manage hidden europe, a Berlin-based editorial bureau that supplies text and images to media across Europe. Together they edit hidden europe magazine. Nicky and Susanne are dedicated slow travellers. They delight in discovering the exotic in the everyday.

This article was published in hidden europe 48.