Improved connections on the cards

South Uist is expected to receive a dedicated ferry next summer.

MV Lord of the Isles is due to operate the Lochboisdale service under an improved Spring - Autumn timetable under the plan.

Under a proposal, from next year she will no longer be used as a regular vessel on the Mallaig - Skye route, a run sandwiched in between her Lochboisdale sailings.

The plan for a better service follows the purchase of Norwegian ferry, MS Utne, for Mull which releases MV Coruisk to return to the Armadale service.

In turn, this frees up MV Lord of the Isles to provide a dedicated summer season service for South Uist operating an island based service.

Cal Mac said it was currently too early for details of how the MV Utne will affect the rest of the network.

However, Transport Scotland, Cal Mac and the Transport Minister have held briefings over the past 48 hours with representatives from various island communities.

Communities in Skye and the Western Isles will also benefit as a result of the cascade of vessels elsewhere on the network, confirmed Transport Scotland.

Discussions will take place over a new timetable which better connects with rail services to Glasgow and increases frequency across the week.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s transportation chairman Uisdean Robertson hailed the improvement.

Cllr Robertson said: “It is very welcome that Scottish Government are making this investment to increase the fleet at CalMac’s disposal.

“This is excellent news for Mull but it is also good news across the network. “

He added: “The Western Isles will benefit from this development as MV Lord of the Isles will be disentangled from the Armadale service allowing additional service to Lochboisdale and the freedom to develop a timetable that better meets the needs of the Western Isles.

“ Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are keen to work with Calmac on considering timetable options for Lochboisdale in Summer 2022 to ensure the benefits are realised as quickly as possible.

“It is important that the search for additional tonnage continues to provide the necessary resilience is restored for all services in the CalMac network.

“Winter resilience will also be improved by the MV Utne as it can serve Mull all winter meaning the second vessel on that route - MV Isle of Mull - will be available to provide emergency cover across the network should another vessel break down or bad weather leaves a back log of traffic to clear which has been a major issue for Barra in recent winters.”

Hebrides News revealed last month that Cal Mac and CMAL engineers had been inspecting a ship in northern Europe.

The Scottish Government now confirms it has purchased the six-year-old twin engine passenger ship.

Bids of around £5.6 million were invited for the six-year-old Turkish built Utne though the Scottish Government will not reveal the final price.

However, combined purchase and upgrading costs come in at an estimated £9 million it confirmed.

Robbie Drummond, managing director of CalMac, said: “The addition of the MV Utne to the CalMac fleet is extremely welcome and will bring much-needed resilience to the network.

“We will continue to work closely with Transport Scotland and CMAL to determine how best MV Utne can support our delivery of lifeline services.”

MV Utne was launched in Sefine, Turkey in late 2015. The double-ender accommodates 195 passengers and 34 cars.

The vessel is 14 metres wide with a 3.5 metre draught and a gross tonnage of 1,160 tonnes.

She is currently owned by Norled, one of Norway's largest ferry and express boat operators.

Improved connections on the cards as South Uist set to get dedicated ferry

5 October 2021