New ferry route talks for South Uist 22/7/08
The Scottish Government is to hold talks over finding a ferry to establish a new sea-route between South Uist and Mallaig.
Caledonian Macbrayne would operate the new service to provide a three-hour direct Minch crossing - half the time of the present voyage to Oban.
An existing boat is expected to be used and switching Mallaig from Oban as the mainland destination for the Uist / Barra run has been previously mooted
On Monday, Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson discussed possible scenarios over implementing the service with representatives of South Uist community landlord Stòras Uibhist.
"This is part of ongoing meetings Mr Stevenson has had with Storas Uibhist and the council on this issue.
"There were some interesting ideas put forward but these now require detailed consideration by all parties involved.
"The Scottish Government will now arrange a further meeting with senior officials, Storas Uibhist, Cal Mac and the local council to discuss the way forward.”
One observer said that there were signs that the Barra community should support a change of mainland port. "There is a current enthusiastic campaign in Barra against wasting public cash on providing them with a broadband service. The Barra people don’t want the subsidised connected communities link and prefer to wait years for a BT service.
“If they are genuinely concerned over taxpayers money then reconfigurating the Barra ferry to Mallaig could save millions of pounds and provide almost double the service for the same amount. It would also give Barra a shorter ferry run plus it benefits a neighbouring community.”
South Uist residents and local businesses say a direct service between Lochboisdale and Mallaig makes economic sense and would boost jobs in the tourism and fish-farming industries.
