Mull digs in for a winter of discontent

There’s no quick solution in sight for Mull’s winter of discontent, after CalMac imposed its off-season timetable halving the number of ferry crossings between Oban and Craignure.

It means islanders can no longer spend a whole day on the mainland, deterring desperately-needed GPs from working on the island, and forcing major employers to consider moving off Mull.

For months the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee has tried to find a way to run early and late crossings, keeping within Transport Scotland’s budget limit of 35 return crossings per week. Their plan needs the ferry to berth at Craignure’s decaying pier overnight, but CalMac says it is unsuitable for this, and Argyll and Bute Council will not be able to revamp it for eight years. The other option berths the ferry overnight in Oban, but this increases the number of return crossings from 35 to 39 per week, increasing the costs for crew and fuel. The committee is calling for the Scottish Government to help fund these extra crossings in a bid to stop businesses such as Inverlussa and TSL leaving the island.

Ben Wilson, managing director of shellfish farmer Inverlussa, which employs 25 people on Mull, told The Oban Times: ‘It can be solved by the council, Transport Scotland and CalMac working together. We need the Scottish Government to step in – £600,000 a year would resolve this problem.’

However Transport Scotland and Argyll and Bute Council have dug in their heels.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: ‘The current winter timetable has been developed over a number of years in consultation with the community and allows at least five hours on the mainland every day, with late returns on a Friday and Saturday. We are aware of community aspirations for further improvements to the Oban-Craignure winter timetable.

‘We asked CalMac to explore all options. However, balancing cost against benefits, it is unfortunately not possible to accommodate the request at present. CalMac will continue to consult with the local community to explore where further improvements can be made as we go forward.’

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesperson added: ‘Craignure pier is suitable for the vessels that use it. Timetabling is an issue for CalMac and Transport Scotland.’