Latest news with #Clansman
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Islanders facing financial ruin over ferry cancellations
In recent years, the route has been plagued by disruption, with Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop holding 'crisis' talks with island business groups earlier this year. The Lord of the Isles – referred to as LOTI by locals - is a 36-year-old vessel which had only returned to the South Uist route in mid-May after it was taken to service other struggling routes. Islanders were given the MV Isle of Mull, the second oldest ship in the fleet, as a replacement – but it was restricted to 45 passengers per trip. In 2023, islanders protested after a month-long cancellation. Karen MacAulay, owner of the Lochboisdale Hotel, told The Herald repeated disruption is leading to a 'debilitating' pressure on locals. Since the ferry was cancelled earlier this week, she has lost at least 10 bookings and will lose more if the ferry is not returned by Friday. 'Trying to run a business here is difficult anyway, so living on the edge is natural,' she told The Herald. 'We've gone from 14 rooms booked out of a total of 15 and it went down to four. We're losing thousands upon thousands of pounds every year. 'It seems that if any ferry breaks down in the fleet, they take the LOTI. The ferry has become so unreliable that people won't book onto it. Read more: 'We haven't got a replacement so for this full week, we're having to phone people. We don't charge for cancellations when it comes to the ferries – if we did, I'd be a millionaire. So we have lost a whole week's worth of work. 'It's mentally debilitating. Year upon year it is just getting worse. Now I am just at the stage where I want to give up. 'We are fighting a losing battle. The crisis is now. We can't afford to pay bills or staff. It's absolutely horrendous. It's taken a mental toll on not just me but everybody in the community. 'We need help but in Lochboisdale they just forget about us.' The Lord of the Isles vessel is one of four ships beyond running beyond the expected operational life, alongside the Isle of Arran, Mull and the Caledonian Isles, while two other vessels – Isle of Lewis and Clansman – are approaching the end of their expected time. Last month, CalMac was awarded a £3.9 billion contract to run the west coast services for the next 10 years. However, Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, condemned the decision, warning the firm's 'resilience' was gone. Read more: Speaking to The Herald, he said: 'People are tearing their hair out in frustration. It's affecting confidence on the islands, and its affecting commercial and tourism confidence in the islands. 'On one end hotels are facing large scale losses and on the other end B&Bs face cancellations that can add up to a months mortgage payment, or more. 'It's feeding into people's decision whether to live or leave the island. It's really serious. 'Business owners are eating into their own funds – they're going into debt – in the hope that things will get better. It is an awful situation to be in.' Service information provided to travellers by CalMac said: 'Due to mechanical damage on MV Lord of the Isles that has resulted in water ingress into a void tank, this service has been cancelled.' The vessel is being repaired in Kennacraig, near the Clyde – almost 150 miles away from Lochboisdale. Dependin on the outcome of repairs it could back in operation on Thursday or Friday – but islanders said they have been told it could be out of service for another week. There are no direct replacements, however an island-hopping alternative has been provided on the MV Loch Alainn, sailing from Barra and Eriskay to connect with the MV Isle of Lewis on the Castlebrae service. CalMac and Transport Scotland have been asked for comment.
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Look who it isnae' - Still Game's iconic Boabby the Barman heads to Dumbarton for new stage show
Still Game icon Boabby the Barman is bringing his 'Look Who It Isnae - An Audience with Gavin Mitchell' show to Dumbarton next month Gavin Mitchell is swapping Craiglang for Dumbarton as he brings his tour to the town. The actor and funnyman – best known for his iconic role as Boabby the Barman in Still Game – is heading to Dumbarton next month for his show 'Look Who It Isnae – An Audience with Gavin Mitchell'. Gavin starred as the much-maligned landlord behind the bar of the legendary Clansman boozer in the iconic Scots sitcom for nine series. Now, his show will give fans the chance to sit down for the intimate show to hear about Gavin's more than 30-year-long career in showbiz. The show comes to Dumbarton's Denny Civic Theatre, in St Marys Way, on Friday, July 4, at 7.30pm. Speaking ahead of the upcoming appearance, Gavin said: 'I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to share stories from my glorious career, whilst spilling the beans on all the behind-the-scenes gossip from Still Game. It's going to be an unforgettable experience for the fans, and for me as well!' The show title is a throwback to one of Gavin's memorable lines from Still Game, where he quips 'look it is isnae' to sharp-tongued pensioners Jack and Victor, only to be cut down as Jack says: 'Oh, that is fantastic patter, Bobby, who are we no today, ya p****?' Gavin also starred on TV comedies Velvet Soup and Happy Hollidays, as well as the comedy-drama film Being Human, with Robin Williams. Away from comedy, Gavin has taken on more serious roles, appearing in TV dramas such as Monarch of the Glen and The Field of Blood. Gavin received the 'Best Actor' award at the Scottish Comedy Awards 2019 for his Still Game role along the way. In December last year, punters at one Lanarkshire pub did a double take when they spotted Gavin pulling pints behind ther bar ahead of a gig as he chatted away and snapped selfies with excited fans. Gavin thrilled locals with a surprise appearance at The Weavers, in Strathaven, ahead of his new stand-up show. The new tour give fans the chance to get up close and personal, as Gavin takes them on a journey through his illustrious 30 plus year career in entertainment. With behind-the-scenes stories and insight from years of working in theatre, film, TV and radio, this is a chance for fans to engage with a beloved figure in Scottish entertainment. There are even a limited number of VIP meet and greet tickets available, giving a handful of fans the opportunity to meet Gavin in-person before the show. Tickets for Gavin's Dumbarton performance can be booked by clicking here.
The National
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Artist 'thrilled' after meeting rock legend in Loch Ness
Jonathan Grant, a painter whose art shop is based at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel near Inverness, was left delighted after he met the former frontman of the legendary rock band Led Zeppelin. Robert Plant, who founded Led Zeppelin in 1968 and played in the band until it broke up in 1980, had been in the Loch Ness area last week. Grant said he just so happened to 'glance' outside and caught a glimpse of a gentleman leaving the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel which he thought looked a lot like Plant. READ MORE: No independence referendum while I am PM, says Keir Starmer The Scottish artist said he 'dashed' out of his art gallery to confirm his suspicion and was delighted to meet the rock legend. 'I can honestly say it was a great thrill to meet Robert Plant,' Grant told The National. 'My art gallery shop is beside the main entrance to the Loch Ness Clansman hotel, and I happened to glance at this gentleman exiting the hotel and immediately thought it looked like Robert Plant. 'So, I dashed after him and by luck he had just got into the passenger seat of a car parked right by the front door.' Grant added: 'I chapped on the window which he rolled down and I asked if he was Mr Plant which he replied laughingly 'who's asking?'. 'I asked for a photo which he agreed to, and I then remembered I happened to have a painting of their first album cover on my art gallery wall, so I told him, and he asked to see it.' Grant, who paints Highland landscapes along with Highland cows, also just so happened to have painted Led Zeppelin's first album, which he said the rocker was impressed with. The Loch Ness artist added: 'A really nice chap and very humble too.' Robert Plant Grant shared his encounter with Plant to a Led Zeppelin fans group on Facebook, which has since amassed more than 20,000 likes. The 76-year-old rock star was in Loch Ness ahead of upcoming dates in Italy and France as part of a tour with music co-operative Saving Grace.
