Great Coffee... Now Boarding

Great Coffee… Now Boarding.

June 16th, 2025 | Other

Brewing Connections: We’re Now On Board with CalMac Ferries

There’s nothing quite like sipping a freshly brewed coffee while sailing to one of Scotland’s iconic islands. That’s why we’re proud to announce our latest partnership: we’ve teamed up with CalMac Ferries to serve our Glasgow-roasted, sustainable coffee on 13 vessels and in a brand-new Coffee Cabin at Ardrossan Port.

We’re passionate about connecting people through great coffee—and now, we’re bringing that experience to sea.

John Fullerton (Matthew Algie Field Service Engineer) and Andrew Clydesdale (Senior Catering Rating for CalMac) (Image: Matthew Algie)

A Shared Scottish Story

This partnership is a coming together of two longstanding Scottish institutions. We’ve been roasting coffee from our Glasgow roastery for over 160 years, and CalMac has connected communities on Scotland’s west coast even longer.

Our founder, Matthew Algie, was born in Greenock—a port town rich in maritime history. He began by selling tea from the famous Clyde Clippers. So, there’s something fitting about our coffee setting sail today.

“It’s a privilege to be part of such a well-loved travel experience,” says Paul Chadderton from our team. “We’re a Scottish company through and through, and the chance to serve CalMac passengers from around the world—especially in such a meaningful way—means a great deal to us.”

Great Coffee, Wherever the Tide Takes You

Across CalMac’s fleet, we’ve installed 42 machines. These include barista setups, bulk brewers, and bean-to-cup systems—each chosen to suit the onboard cafés and service styles.

Here’s what you’ll find onboard:

• Mariners Cafés will be serving Piacetto, our smooth, Italian-inspired coffee designed for those quiet, joy-filled moments at sea.

• Coffee Cabins will feature Peak & Wild, our most sustainable coffee yet—freshly roasted in Glasgow, full of flavour, and supporting conservation through our long-standing partnership with the John Muir Trust.

Passengers can enjoy their coffee knowing it’s served in eco-friendly, compostable cups from Edinburgh-based Vegware, keeping things clean, green, and local.

John Fullerton (Matthew Algie Field Service Engineer)

More Than Just a Brew

Our partnership with CalMac isn’t just about what’s in the cup—it’s about shared values.
We were chosen not only for the quality of our coffee, but also for our commitment to sustainability, dependable service, and local roots.

We’re proud to support over half a million coffee moments a year on board CalMac vessels, with routes serving communities from Oban to Uig and destinations like Arran, Islay, Mull, and the Outer Hebrides.

This joins a growing list of partnerships that includes Dobbies, M&S, and the National Trust for Scotland—all of whom share our belief that coffee should be ethical, expertly crafted, and proudly local.

A Warm Welcome Onboard

“We’re delighted to welcome Matthew Algie and their high-quality coffee as a CalMac supplier,” said Dave Gannon, Retail Lead at CalMac. “Their bid really stood out—and we’re already hearing great feedback from passengers.”

“Offering Scottish and local produce to our customers is central to our retail strategy. It’s about giving people a real taste of Scotland during their journey.”

John Fullerton (Left: Matthew Algie Field Service Engineer) and Dave Gannon (Right: CalMac Retail Lead) (Image: Matthew Algie)

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, we’re excited to grow our presence across the CalMac fleet and continue supporting Scotland’s ferry network with consistently great coffee and service. Whether you’re heading to the Hebrides or hopping over to Arran, we’ll be onboard to make the journey even better—one cup at a time.

Thanks for reading to find out more about CalMac and how to book your voyage click this link.