CalMac under fire from 'sack board' island protest group over ferries
But despite a "crisis summit" called by an island business group attended by transport secretary Fiona Hyslop over two weeks ago and in advance of the May Day bank holiday, they say there has been no movement in dealing with an immediate lack of service.
For several years South Uist has regularly been the victim of cuts due to ferry breakdowns and delays in annual maintenance which climaxed in losing their service completely for nearly the whole of June, 2023.
It drew the short straw because it is felt according to the way CalMac runs its lifeline service disruption management, that the least number of people will be affected if their allocated vessel, MV Lord of the Isles, is withdrawn to help out elsewhere.
And John Daniel Peteranna of the South Uist Business Impact Group (SUBIG) which started the protest said: "We are still penalised for living in Uist. "
Video: Flashback to the South Uist ferry protest of the summer of 2023.
CalMac said that they are investigating options for improvement to the service.
Concerns had previously emerged that there has been a failure to conduct island communities' impact assessments or consult over the method used to decide how services are axed due to breakdowns of Scotland's ageing ferry fleet in breach of the Scottish Government's ground-breaking Islands (Scotland) Act made law in 2018.
The catalyst for action over the management system came when an estimated 500 residents, 200 cars, 40 vans and 20 lorries converged on Lochboisdale – the port which links South Uist to the mainland – two years ago to protest about the cancellations.
Then CalMac chief executive Robbie Drummond then made a series of what some called "PR visits" to the island where apologies were made and actions explained.
One South Uist public meeting attended by some 250 "unanimously" lodged a vote of no confidence in the ferry company angry at the island's treatment.
Islanders were told by the former transport minister Kevin Stewart, three days before he resigned his position the same summer that he had ordered a review into the 'matrix' methodology used to deal with ferry shortages to ensure that it takes into account "the actual economic impacts to the islands".
It was expected to ensure that South Uist did not become the default option for cuts.
But the South Uist Business Impact Group which started the protest and called for the summit do not believe that it has made any difference. The MV Lord of the Isles continues to be used as a relief vessel for other islands while the 32-year-old MV Caledonian Isles has been out of service since the start of January last year, the MV Hebridean Isles had to be retired and other vessels have had problems identified during winter overhauls.
While concerns continue about a lack of spare capacity for emergencies, it was suggested that South Uist swap boats so that it gets the regular Colonsay ship MV Clansman for just one day to help make up for the losses.
But the group say that so far there has been no response from CalMac.
Mr Peteranna of the impact group, who previously called for boardroom heads to roll at CalMac over the way services were being handled said: "The visits back then have changed nothing.
"Now, the minister has told CalMac that they need to find a solution. We have been told yes, yes and yes. But again nothing has changed.
"We are not asking for anything that isn't reasonable."
He said that MV Clansman, which can carry 638 passengers and 90 cars, has at least a once-a-day services to Colonsay, which, according to the 202 Scottish Island Survey has a population of 104. The resident population of South Uist is over ten times that at1442.
The current timetable for services to Colonsay shows there is a daily return service to and from the mainland on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and two return journeys service on a Wednesday and Saturday.
"They are ignoring us," said Mr Peteranna. "We don't see that there is any disruption from doing this. But they don't appear to be listening to options while May and June are the busiest months.
MV Finlaggan (Image: CalMac) Meanwhile, the group say that while MV Finlaggan has been delayed in dry dock, it means that the reduced capacity service provided by MV Isle of Mull will be extended well into the peak holiday season at a vital time for island businesses.
Read more from Martin Williams:
They have now written to CalMac asking again that they now put in place an increase in capacity between Lochboisdale and Oban, pointing out that it "should not be one island that suffers all the time".
Ms Hyslop had said there was a longer-term solution with funding earmarked for another new large ferry to serve the Western Isles.
She said money was allocated in the 2025/26 budget to replace the ageing MV Lord of the Isles, which serves South Uist, within "about three years".
MV Lord of the Isles, which normally sails from Lochboisdale on South Uist to the mainland port of Mallaig, is currently serving other routes and will not return until mid-May.
MV Isle of Mull is instead sailing from the island to Oban, but a fault with its emergency evacuation chutes means it is only permitted to carry 45 passengers instead of the 900 it can normally accommodate.
The Scottish government also announced a £4.4m "resilience fund" targeted" at island communities worst affected by disruption but that South Uist would "definitely benefit".
During the 1980s and 90s CalMac would typically purchase a new ship every few years but since 2007 the procurement role has been taken on by a separate state-owned company, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited, which owns the ferries, ports, harbours and infrastructure.
MV Glen Sannox (Image: Jane Barlow) Problems over the construction of two new gas-powered ferries Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa ordered in 2015 contributed to a slowdown in ferry replacement - and much of CalMac's large ship fleet is now beyond its expected operational life.
A CalMac spokeswoman said: 'At the summit on South Uist, we made a commitment to review what we could to improve the current service, and we stand by that. We've been investigating options, some of which were made at the summit, in the context of wider network deployments and dependent on vessel moves,as major units departed and entered their overhaul period.
'This means considering things like vessel and port interface and displaced traffic on other routes, and it takes time to work through possible options. We expect to provide a formal update on what's possible later this week.
'The delay to the delivery of MV Isle of Islay, whilst due to events outside of anyone's control, is having a real knock-on effect on our vessel deployment. Were she in service, one of MV Isle of Arran or MV Lord of the Isles – which usually serves South Uist – would be free to deploy elsewhere.
'We made a commitment to bring SUBIG into the Western Isles Ferry Group and they have already attended the most recent meeting.
'In the meantime, the South Uist community will be updated on our progress, and we hope to offer ways in which we can ease the constraints on their service as soon as possible.'
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'We understand the impact that delays and disruption have regrettably had on our island communities and this government fully recognises the key role ferry services play in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of island communities.
'Alongside CalMac, we continue to monitor the situation closely, particularly in terms of the impact on those island communities most affected and will continue to constructively engage with islanders to ensure we deliver a sustainable ferry service that is fit for the future.
'Ministers and officials continue to support and impress upon CalMac to ensure all available options are being explored to return the vessels to service and support our island economies.
Scotland's island communities face distinct challenges, not least in terms of their economic and social resilience, which is why this Government has identified an initial £4.4 million to establish a resilience fund to support island businesses, with a view to targeting areas and sectors of most acute need.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
36 minutes ago
- Sky News
Former Scottish parliament presiding officer Sir George Reid dies aged 86
Former Scottish parliament presiding officer Sir George Reid has died at the age of 86, his family have announced. Sir George died in the early hours of Tuesday at Strathcarron Hospice near Denny, just a few miles from where he was born in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire. First Minister John Swinney paid tribute, saying: "I am desperately saddened by the loss of the remarkable George Reid. "His passion for Scotland, his principled internationalist world view, and his empathy for the plight of people everywhere made him a voice that could not be ignored across five decades." Sir George began his career as a journalist and was first elected as an SNP MP for Clackmannan and Eastern Stirlingshire in 1974, serving in the House of Commons before narrowly losing at the 1979 election. He then returned to journalism, becoming the producer who brought the world pictures of the Ethiopian famine in 1984 alongside presenter Michael Buerk, which sparked the Band Aid and Live Aid concerts. Later, he later took on a role with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. It was not until the opening of the Scottish parliament in 1999 that he returned to the political frontline as an MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and he then won the Ochil seat in 2003. He became the second presiding officer following the 2003 poll - after losing his bid to be the first in 1999 to Sir David Steel. Sir George oversaw the final stages of the then controversial new Holyrood building at the foot of the Royal Mile and the move from the parliament's initial home on the Mound. Mr Swinney added: "As an MP, he was a trailblazing member of the SNP's breakthrough victories of 1974. He became, for me, one of the compelling voices of the campaign for a Scottish parliament in 1979. "His was one of the voices that brought me into politics and kindled my belief in independence that has driven my adult life. I feel so privileged to have been shaped by his influence and inspiration." In late June, he was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer - having previously had successful surgery for bladder cancer more than a decade ago. His family said he was working until his final few weeks at Stirling University, where he was a professional teaching fellow and was well enough to drive home through the Clackmannanshire area where he was born and represented in two different legislatures. He is survived by Daphne, his wife of 57 years, daughter Morag and her husband, and five grandchildren. Flags at the Scottish parliament have been lowered as a mark of respect, current Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced. She said: "On behalf of all at the Scottish parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second presiding officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid. "He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young parliament. "A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. "By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new parliament in action. "The story of devolution and the early years of our parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude."
Daily Record
39 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Tributes paid following the death of ex-Stirling politician and Holyrood Presiding Officer
With proud links to both Clackmannanshire and Stirlingshire, he rose from his family's humble beginnings to earn top honours for a lifetime of public service. Tributes are being paid to the Rt Hon Sir George Reid following his death in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The 86-year-old, who lived in Bridge of Allan, was SNP MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979 and MSP for Ochil from 2003 to 2007. He was also a former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, an Electoral Commissioner and Trustee of the Edinburgh Tattoo and Glasgow Life, and chaired strategic reviews of public bodies in the UK and Europe. Throughout his life he received many high honours – Lord High Commissioner, Lord-Lieutenant, Knight bachelor - and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Holyrood in 2018, decided on unanimously by senior officials from the Scottish Government, Scotland Office, Scottish Parliament, office of the Auditor General and the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations. His father had been born into a desperately poor family and worked his way up from office boy to managing director of an Alloa brewery. Sir George graduated with first-class honours from St Andrews University and later studied international affairs, humanitarian law and conflict resolution in the United States of America, Switzerland and Sweden, and held five honorary doctorates. For 12 years between his time at Westminster and Holyrood he worked worldwide in wars and disasters as a director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva. Sir George served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007. During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979. The Scottish Parliament's Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, was among those who paid tribute. She said: 'On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, The Rt Hon Sir George Reid. He'll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament. 'A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded. By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action. 'The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. 'My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed. 'Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.' A book of condolence was expected to open at Holyrood and online. On being appointed a Knight of the Thistle - the highest honour in Scotland - in 2022, Sir George said: 'It's a substantial honour for a Tullibody boy. I hope people will still call me George. 'I'm 83 now and intend to keep teaching postgraduates at the University of Stirling. That and seeing the family is my main focus.' Sir George was knighted in 2012 for services to Scottish politics and public life. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and a Professorial Teaching Fellow at the University of Stirling. In 2008 Sir George was appointed Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and then served as Lord Lieutenant of Clackmannanshire from 2011 to 2014.
BBC News
40 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sir George Reid obituary: Respected SNP politician and journalist
Sir George Reid, who has died aged 86, enjoyed a long career in and out of politics, in which he managed to be one of the SNP's bright young things and elder between, he worked as a journalist and television presenter before moving into public affairs with the Red Cross, a job which took him around the world to disaster zones and international emergencies - an experience which influenced his later political being elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 he served as its Presiding Officer between 2003 and 2007, a period in which he was widely credited with taking control of the Holyrood building set him up for a final act in public life where he became a visiting academic, an independent reviewer of public bodies, and the Queen's representative to the Church of Scotland.A member of a political party whose motivating factor is radical change of the British state, his intellect, talent for diplomacy and personal charm made him at once an establishment figure and a politician beloved of the national movement. George Reid was born in Tullibody in 1939 and educated at the private Dollar Academy. From there he read history at the University of St Andrews before further study in Switzerland and the US, an early example of the internationalism and interest in foreign affairs which would inform his political went into journalism in newspapers and entered broadcasting as the industry enjoyed its first flourish in Scotland, working for the BBC as well as Grampian and Scottish Television.A respected operator, he moved between news programmes and current affairs documentaries but was not content to be an observer of his nation's politics. In February 1974 he was elected to Westminster as the MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, one of six new SNP was a crucial election for his party. It was a time of economic and political crisis towards the end of Ted Heath's Conservative government and the SNP built its campaign around the motto "It's Scotland's Oil". It paid off. The seven MPs elected went south to sit in opposition to Harold Wilson's new minority Labour government, which lasted just eight months before having to go to the country October 1974 result became a transformative moment in the SNP's history. Reid was re-elected, this time one of the "first eleven" MPs, the most they had ever elected. They were a small though voluble band of MPs and Reid used his time at Westminster to develop his links with politicians across Europe. He was also something of a media star, a smart and articulate performer who was valued by programme makers and his first half of his political career came to an end in the 1979 election which saw Margaret Thatcher come to power. That group of SNP MPs would forever be criticised for voting against the government in the confidence vote which triggered the election. The 1980s saw Reid returning to journalism, presenting political programmes for BBC Scotland. He worked on coverage of the famine in Africa, a job which later led to him joining the international aid organisation the Red in Geneva, he spent the next period travelling the world working on emergency relief projects. A public speech in 1995 was seen by many as return to Scottish politics, though his Donaldson Lecture drew deeply on his knowledge of European politics. He stood once again for his former constituency again in 1997 but was 1999, and approaching his 60th birthday, he was once again elected to parliament - this time in Edinburgh. He threw his hat in the ring to become the Scottish Parliament's first Presiding Officer, losing to Sir David he was made a Deputy Presiding Officer, holding the post through the parliament's difficult first few years. The biggest problem throughout that period was the Holyrood building project, which after a controversial selection process quickly spiralled out of control with a delivery date forever moving away into the distance and a budget which just kept on getting bigger and Reid took over from Steel in 2003, he made a huge effort to get on top of what had become a national embarrassment. He demanded regular reports and updated the parliament with the same regularity. He was filmed and photographed in hard hat and tabard walking the media through the building, explaining the issues and identifying he was the front of house man when it finally opened in 2004. His speech on that day struck a hopeful note, saying Scotland could now be more confident in the institution. He said it was now a country where "if we make mistakes they are our mistakes, and we can no longer blame anyone else". After leaving the parliament at the end of his term in 2007, he became a sought-after figure in politics outside was chosen to lead a review of the Northern Ireland Assembly. His report called for reform of the way Stormont was run, including greater autonomy for the assembly and its civil 2008 he became the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, making him the monarch's representative on the would go on to review the governance of the National Trust for Scotland, delivering a report which was used to radically reshape the body after years of criticism of its performance and his seventies he had certainly become that elder statesman figure and was knighted - an unusual thing for an SNP figure - in 2012. Ten years later he was appointed a Knight of the Order of the Thistle, the most senior order of chivalry in a period of ill health in 2013, he remained until recently a cogent commentator with a quick mind and wit. Popular with journalists and his fellow nationalists, he enjoyed a good public image and was still in demand in the media and on the political tribute to his late colleague Winnie Ewing in 2023, he addressed the SNP's Independence Convention in Dundee about the importance of politics as a vocation."Don't make excuses, make improvements," he said. "Do things with the people of Scotland, not to the people."Concentrate on those who are still to be convinced. Keep right on to the end of the road."Those words for his former colleague will probably do for him too.
