THE current challenges of Covid and bad weather, combined with disruptions due to dry-docking, ought to show the advantages of overarching management for west coast ferry services, yet unfortunately have shown instead poor and inadequate contingency planning by Calmac.
Islay is a particularly busy route, especially for freight services, but this week had a single boat service from the oldest of the larger vessels, the 37-year-old Isle of Arran, with one day of assistance from the Isle of Mull. It also highlights the inadequate infrastructure on Islay, where the piers – redeveloped within the past 15 years – are unable to accommodate the Clansman (almost 24 years old) which has instead been sailing (amongst other destinations) to Colonsay (pier re-developed in the 1980s) and Coll. Both of these latter islands have populations of under 200.
The mainland ferry terminal at Kennacraig has no catering facilities, so the removal of access to on-board catering for a sea journey of two hours is a further problem – especially with an amended timetable which has lost most public transport connections.
Jean Knowles
Laphroaig, Islay
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here