New call for ferry action after delays

Outer Hebrides Tourism (OHT) has called on the Scottish Government to take action on the ‘spiralling’ costs of disruption caused by the ‘continued unreliability of ferries’ servicing the islands.

Earlier this summer, OHT calculated ferry disruption cost the Outer Hebrides £6m and the islands suffered disruption again last week because of CalMac ferry breakdowns and diversions.

Now OHT is calling on the Scottish Government to intervene after a third instance of cancelled and rescheduled ferries caused tourists to cancel trips and left accommodation and activities providers with late cancellations.

Chairman of OHT Ian Fordham said: ‘The Outer Hebrides is a stunning place for tourists to visit but we want them to be able to get here and home again without disruption.’

Transport Scotland said OHT proposals are being considered and work is under way to deliver further improvements to Western Isles ferry services. A spokesman said: ‘More than £1 billion has been invested in ferry services across the Clyde and Hebrides since 2007, including the MV Loch Seaforth and harbour upgrades at Stornoway and Ullapool. We are continuing to invest in new vessels and infrastructure. While this further delay to two new ferries is disappointing, it is important to focus on the fact we will have two new ships joining the fleet serving the Clyde and Hebrides network that have been built in Scotland, providing vital support to our ship building industry.’