Talk:Caledonian MacBrayne

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If I'm reading the Scottish newspapers correctly (I was in Oban last week), it's not so much that the Scottish Executive want to go to competitive tendering, but more that the European Commission is requiring them to do so, and the Executive are maybe not doing all they can to persuade the EC that Cal-Mac is a special case. Loganberry (Talk) 12:08, 25 July 2005 (UTC)

I confess to not fully understanding the to-ings and fro-ings of the tendering scheme (which is why the article is suitably vague about it). I believe you are correct in saying the EC wants them to put it out to open bid. I'll see if I can dig up some more definative info and try to clarify matters. -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 12:31, July 25, 2005 (UTC)

I'm not sure you are entirely correct about the "Cal-Mac" (for short) merger. The Caledonian Steam Packet Co was owned by the Caledonian Railway Co so both would have been Nationalised at the same time (shortly after World War II); hence both were owned by British Rail. I suspect that Caledonian-MacBrayne was formed before 1973, although the name "Cal-Mac" may have been invented at that time. I'll try and find a reference, but it may be the end of August before I have time. Pyrotec 21:41, 29 July 2005 (UTC)

My brain melted somewhere through the corporate history. If you live through that, feel free to make any change you find necessary :) -- Finlay McWalter | Talk 21:56, July 29, 2005 (UTC)

Thanks for the reference and the invite. I might have a go in Sept & fill in the Cal. Railway stub at the same time, if no one else does. I think "Mac" went bust whilst doing the Postal (Royal Mail) Runs and the LMS Railway got them. The "Cal." railway also became part of LMS in the 1920s. However, you are right about the date of the formation of "Cal-Mac" (1973). There's one famous quote that perhaps should go in (but I've forgotten it) The Lord owns ..... but David MacBrayne owns the Western Isles.Pyrotec 08:15, 30 July 2005 (UTC)

Tendering update added, and poem from different source seems more credible as I'm sure the doggerel goes back to days when CSP had the Clyde. ....dave souza 07:44, 19 January 2006 (UTC)