THE FERRY HAPPY COUPLE
Broken-down ship put their big day at risk until locals helped organise a new sailing
A WEDDING that was at risk of running aground thanks to a faulty ferry has been saved in the nick of time – thanks to the local MP. Lovebirds Roddy McInnes and Lisa Gilmour’s big day was on the rocks after CalMac cancelled all ferry services between Oban and Castlebay on Barra. But Angus MacNeil, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, contacted the firm and ensured another boat was sent to save the day. A technical fault with the MV Isle of Lewis meant yesterday’s and Thursday’s sailings were taken off the schedule. Catering, flowers and the band were waiting for a ferry to get to Castlebay to prepare for today’s ceremony.
Lisa said she burst into a “flood of tears” at the prospect of a ruined wedding.
She added: “I had a meltdown and just kept crying. It was too much to handle.
“Everything to do with the wedding was to be on that ferry.
“It’s been a very difficult time and I’ve hardly slept a wink since I got the call from CalMac saying the ferry was cancelled.
“We have spent thousands of pounds getting lorries on the ferry.”
Lisa, an insurance claims handler, had organised a large ceremony on Barra with family and friends booked on yesterday’s lunchtime ferry from Oban to Castlebay.
But she was horrified when CalMac announced at 1pm on Thursday that there was “an issue with the main engines” and said the engineering team were “working on it”.
Frantic friends and family worried they wouldn’t make the wedding, turning to local Facebook page Guth Bharraidh for updates.
But their luck began to change when SNP MP MacNeil found out about the problem.
He told the Record: “There was huge concern on the island for the wedding couple on their big day.
“CalMac have had to deal with a ferry breakdown. Islanders were alarmed by the stark appearance on the CalMac website of two days of cancelled ferries.
“CalMac had to understand that being without a ferry for two days was not acceptable.”
Ferry bosses diverted their back-up vessel, MV Isle of Mull, to the island yesterday for a midnight arrival.
It will ensure the wedding goes ahead almost without a hitch and with all its guests.
Although a huge relief for the couple, the ferry’s late arrival means preparations will continue into this morning.
Last night, Lisa, 43, said: “I’m pretty exhausted right now with all the stress and it’s going to take all night to set up the venue. We can’t even start decorating the place or laying the tables as the caterers have all the glasses and cutlery.
“The caterers will have to be there overnight to prepare the food. Everybody on Barra has offered to help.
“Some people said they would bake a replacement cake while a local hotel said they would do the catering. Others were going to make a bouquet of flowers.”
MacNeil said: “CalMac’s director of operations Robert Morrison and a lot of other people have worked very hard to find a solution that will get people to Barra.
“It saves the day for family and guests attending the wedding as well as helping businesses and the countless others who are, in increasing numbers, visiting these ever-popular scenic Hebrides.
“All that is left to say is to wish the happy couple a lovely day – mealaibh ur naidheachd!”
A CalMac spokesman said: “We apologise for the technical issues that have unfortunately taken the MV Isle of Lewis out of service.”
I’ve hardly slept a wink since I got the call saying the ferry was cancelled BRIDE-TO-BE LISA GILMOUR