Ferry services between Ullapool and Stornoway were hanging in the balance this morning ( Thursday October 27) as weather-related cancellations were followed by a technical breakdown.

CalMac Ferries explained that today (Thursday 27 October) because of adverse weather, the 07:00 sailing from Stornoway is cancelled.

But the 10:45 Ullapool - Stornoway service was liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice due to a technical issue with the stabilisers on the MV Isle Of Lewis.

However, the ferry company later stated that "MV Isle of Lewis has completed tests and will return to service with the 10:45 departing Ullapool."

The overnight ferry services – being provided by the MV Hebridean Isles while the MV Loch Seaforth is away for annual maintenance – were also cancelled. 

And the threat of more cancellations looms as the Met Office this morning issued a weather warning for the Western Isles. "A band of heavy rain is likely to arrive across western Scotland early on Friday morning and move slowly eastwards, clearing early afternoon. 20-30 mm, perhaps 40 mm of rain could fall in 2-3 hours. Heavy rain will also be accompanied by some strong, gusty winds."

Meanwhile on the Castlebay-Oban service for today, due to the cancellation of the sailing yesterday  (Wednesday 26 October) a sailing will operate as follows:

• Depart Oban – 10:30. Arrive Castlebay – 16:05

But tomorrow (Friday 28 October) due to forecast adverse weather, the service is liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice.

On the Tarbert-Uig service today, due to cancellations yesterday, an amended timetable will operate as follows:

• Depart Tarbert  07:00 (Additional sailing)   Arrive Uig  08:40
• Depart Uig  18:45 (Delayed 15:00)   Arrive Tarbert  20:25

On the Lochboisdale-Mallaig service, today, due to the cancellation of yesterday's service, a sailing will operate: 

• Depart Lochboisdale - 0930 Arrive Mallaig - 1300
• Depart Mallaig - 133  Arrive Lochboisdale – 1700

This service may be liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice due to weather conditions.

On the Lochmaddy-Uig service today, due to cancellations yesterday, an amended timetable will operate as follows:

• Depart Uig - 09:10 Arrive Lochmaddy- 10:55
• Depart Lochmaddy - 11:20 Arrive Uig - 13:05
• Depart Uig - 14:30. Arrive Lochmaddy - 16:15
• Depart Lochmaddy - 16:40 Arrive Uig - 18:25

(This article has been updated several times since first being posted)