We were let down by the MV Balmoral

Sir, I am writing to you with regards to a complaint owing to a missed trip on MV Balmoral Saturday July 8.

We were booked on the Coll, Treshnish and Staffa trip from Oban.

On arrival at North Pier, one of two designated pick-up points as clearly stated on White Funnel official website, we noticed that the Balmoral was at the Northern Lighthouse Board pier.

Being concerned, we approached the tourist information office for further information. The young lady my wife spoke to confirmed as per the website that the Balmoral was picking up at North Pier as well. We duly waited only to see the Balmoral sail out of the harbour without collecting from North Pier.

We returned to tourist information officer and were informed that due to vessels already berthed there, collection from North Pier were cancelled.

Had we been informed of this at 9.03am, we would have been able to catch the vessel at the Northern Lighthouse Board pier.

We have been in contact with the Balmoral management, who bizarrely is stating that the misinformation is not its fault, despite it clearly stating on its official website: ‘For more information, go to the tourist information centre,’ which we did and as a consequence of which we are being refused a refund.

As they are a cruising operation, it is up to them to ensure that any information regarding a change of pick-up point is correctly passed on to relevant tourist information centre so that this does not occur again. Philip James Whale, by email.