Filming has begun for a fly-on-the-wall documentary about CalMac.
The eight-part BBC series will give an “behind the scenes” look at the CalMac operation, which has come under increasing pressure in recent months due to repeated cancellations and technical issues.
Staff and customers will feature in the programme, and bosses insist it will not “gloss over problems”.
The series will air next year and will report on the working lives of the crew who serve west coast communities.
It will also focus on the people and communities which depend on CalMac, exploring their way of life and livelihoods.
Caledonian MacBrayne, usually shortened to CalMac is the UK’s largest ferry operator – operating 29 routes to over 50 destinations.
It is part of Scottish Government-owned ferry and harbour operator, David MacBrayne.
A summer of problems for CalMac
The ferry operator has been on the ropes after a crisis-laden summer that resulted in numerous sailings cancelled during the peak tourist season.
Businesses have reported a 50% loss in their earnings and some customers have been unable to access reimbursement for costs caused by the problems.
The issues with the company’s operations has led to some members of the public lashing out at members of staff.
Last week, CalMac called the police over “aggressive behaviour” at port offices in Mallaig and Ardrossan.
Will it change public perception?
There seems to be some hope within CalMac that the documentary will help change the public perception of the company.
Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, said: “This documentary will not gloss over these problems but is an opportunity to highlight the importance of the ferry service to people’s lives.
‘A chance to show who we really are’
“It will showcase the people who regularly use the ferry service and to promote the unique local businesses operating within the islands, all of whom rely on CalMac.
“This is a chance for us to show who we really are and the lengths our people go to every day to deliver our services.”
CalMac said they had been approached by production companies wanting to get involved in a documentary project for over two years.
CalMac staff under the spotlight
The company currently employees 1,700 people, making it one of the biggest businesses headquartered in Scotland.
Since last summer, Aberdeen-based recruitment firm Genesis Personnel has been contracted on a £3million deal to supply temporary seagoing staff or the ferry operator.
This is not the first time that CalMac has let people have a peek behind the curtain at how their staff operation works.
In June, CalMac released a short video for their “People Behind the Journey” campaign which focuses on its crew.
Watch it below:
For their upcoming documentary, CalMac have said that staff are not under any obligation to be filmed.
The production company, IWC Media, has experience with island travel since making comedian Susan Calman’s Secret Scotland, which saw her go to Mull and the Outer Hebrides.
They have also said they the film crew will not affect operational procedures.
It is currently unknown what parts of the fleet will feature in the documentary.
Conversation