THE PROPOSAL

Calmac runs two ferries from Kennacraig, five miles south of Tarbert in Argyll & Bute, to Port Ellen and Port Askaig on Islay. The journeys take two hours 10 minutes and two hours 20 minutes.

The “overland” scheme transport consultant Roy Pedersen proposes is a ferry between Keills on the mainland and Lagg on Jura and replacing the existing small ferry between Feolin on Jura and Port Askaig on Islay. The first ferry journey time would be about 30 mins and the second five mins. Narrow single track roads between Bellanoch, near Lochgilphead, and Keills and Lagg and Port Askaig would require to be upgraded, distances of about 25 miles. If implemented, the total journey time, including ferry waits, between Lochgilphead and the Islay capital of Bowmore would be two hours and 50 mins or less compared with three hours and 20 mins via Port Ellen now.