Ferry service returns to South Uist – but Barra to Eriskay vessel breaks down
CalMac ferries have sailed to and from South Uist for the first time since June 3 after the MV Lord of the Isles (LOTI) returned from a controversial redeployment that left the Hebridean island without a direct service to the mainland for a month.
Sailing from Lochboisdale to Mallaig at 9.40am on Friday June 30, LOTI carried 58 passengers and 34 vehicles. LOTI’s return to the route was a day earlier than initially scheduled.
CalMac’s decision to move LOTI to assist on the IslayKennacraig route, leaving South Uist without a ferry for multiple weeks for the second time in as many months, led to protests, questions in parliament, and a village hall meeting between CalMac chief executive Robbie Drummond and exasperated locals.
The feeling amongst many islanders is that they have been unfairly treated by CalMac for years, significantly affecting businesses and contributing to depopulation. Repeated cancellations caused by redeployments calculated by CalMac’s Route Prioritisation Matrix have been at the heart of recent complaints.
Commenting on the return of LOTI, Mr Drummond said: “I know this has been a very difficult time for our communities with the prolonged cancellation of service and I am sorry for the issues this has caused our businesses and wider communities throughout North and South Uist.”
Strong winds meant the ferry was temporarily cancelled again on the afternoon of July 1, but service resumed the following day.
During LOTI’s absence, South Uist residents were asked to travel to North Uist for the ferry to Skye, or cross the causeway to Eriskay for a boat to Barra before connecting with its mainland service.
On the afternoon of Wednesday June 28, the Eriskay-Barra boat, MV Loch Alainn, broke down. A replacement passenger charter ran for all services until the end of Thursday.
The Loch Alainn returned for sailings from Friday morning.