Uig pier fully reopens following freight issues

Ferries from Skye to the Outer Hebrides resumed on Tuesday after the reopening of Uig pier was delayed for a second time.

Passengers travelling to the Outer Hebrides from Skye were diverted for a further four days on Thursday (March 23) due to issues with the Highland Council-owned pier.

Bridge alignment issues meant the pier could not accommodate vehicles more than 10 metres in length, campervans or 4x4 cars with trailers.

This meant further disruption for passengers as CalMac sailings from Uig to Lochmaddy and Tarbert were diverted for two weeks longer than planned.

The ferry operator arranged for affected customers to be diverted onto the UllapoolStornoway service and reverted to the daily service between Lochmaddy–Ullapool when they were disruption.

Highland Council announced the delay in re-opening the pier on Thursday: “Following a live trial of the berthing of the MV Hebrides last night, an issue has arisen with the temporary bridge at Uig harbour. Whilst the ferry service will be back on the route today, longer vehicles informed of the travelling from Uig to the islands are having to be rerouted through Ullapool.

“This is due to the alignment of the bridge not allowing the necessary turning movement for longer vehicles. A solution is being developed and likely to be in place by Saturday.”

Since Monday January 16, CalMac passengers had been diverted onto the temporary service between Ullapool and Lochmaddy as the first phase of works were carried out at Uig.

A CalMac spokesperson said last Thursday: “We were assured by Highland Council, which is the harbour authority, that there would be no restrictions on operations at Uig. However, this has now been proven to not be the case.

“We plan to resume normal Little Minch services on March 28 - however, we will continue to liaise closely with the Highland Council and monitor the situation at Uig. We will provide further updates as we progress.”

The second phase of improvements to allow larger vessels to berth at the pier, will close it again between Monday October 30 and Monday December 11.