The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Group says ferry halts hitting island economy
Islanders are stepping up pressure for a more reliable ferry service after the loss of a lifeline link cost the economy nearly £650,000 in two weeks.
The MV Lord of the Isles’ sailings between Mallaig and Lochboisdale in South Uist were halted for repairs between May 17 to 30.
It prompted Lochboisdale Ferry Business Impact Group to assess the economic impact on Uist and Barra following an “excessive” number of cancellations between November and March.
Of 395 businesses surveyed across the islands, 91% said they were affected by the cancelled services, with a total loss of £648,000.
These involve a range of industries, including accommodation, food producers, IT and retail.
In response to the report, CalMac managing director Robbie Drummond will visit South Uist next week to discuss concerns directly.
The study was commissioned through community landowner
Stòras Uibhist, with support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise and MKA Economics.
Stòras Uibhist chairwoman Mary Schmoller says “the life of the community will bleed away” without a reliable ferry service.
They are “losing people to the mainland”, she says, “as people become reluctant to return to make their future here, whether as an entrepreneur, healthcare worker or teacher.”
The assessment shows that for each day of cancelled sailings, Uist suffers a loss equivalent to almost two-and-a-half times a full year’s average salary locally (£46,285 a day).
One business said: “Uist is speedily advancing in many industries such as renewables, heritage, food and drink production, with two new distilleries being built and even a space port in the plans.
“Uist is not held back by lack of ambition or capability, but by CalMac, CMAL, and the Scottish Government treating our
lifeline connection as expendable.”
Another said: “Uist is home to a strong Gaelic culture. Without a strong direct lifeline to the mainland that culture will quickly dilute and eventually evaporate, with islanders forced to move their businesses and families to the mainland.
“It’s akin to a modernday clearances.”
The group, set up in response to the May cancellations, has discussed the findings and solution ideas with island MSP Alasdair Allan, who has previously called for improvements.
Mr Allan welcomed the report, which he says “clearly demonstrates the tangible financial losses” that Uist experiences.
He says the cancellations were proof of a “complete lack of resilience in CalMac’s ferry network”, reiterating that the Hebrides “desperately needs to see improvements” to ferry services.
“I am continuing to engage with the transport minister and CalMac on this at every available opportunity.”
The group is also seeking meetings with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth.
The group looked into other services across the CalMac fleet and claim the Lochboisdale sailing is “disproportionately removed”, while South Uist has an “inadequate” number of weekly sailings in terms of population.
It argues that South Uist, Eriskay and Benbecula has a population of 3,200 and only 10 sailings a week, compared to other islands, such as Mull, which has a population of 2,667 and 209 sailings across its multiple routes.
“This would suggest CalMac prioritise daytripping tourist numbers over the island residents it is contracted to serve,” it says. It is now calling for a clear contingency plan for all disruptions.
Responding to the report, CalMac said cancellations “are always a last resort, as we are very aware of the impact it will have on customers and the communities we serve.
“We restored the service to normal as soon as we possibly could,” a spokeswoman said.
She said CalMac “takes the concerns of local communities seriously”.
“In response to the questions raised by the Lochboisdale group, our managing director, Robbie Drummond, is visiting South Uist next week to discuss these concerns in person.
“CalMac’s investment in vessel maintenance has increased by more than 67% over five years.
“We do all that we possibly can to try to prevent cancellations caused by technical issues.”