The long postponed opening ceremony for the new Tarbert ferry terminal is due to take place today (Monday).
Transport Minister, Fiona Hyslop, will formally declare the terminal open in Harris before heading off to meet delegates at the UK Government’s Island’s Forum in Stornoway.
Her visit coincides with the first day the Sound of Harris ferry will operate a full timetable of sailings in over two weeks without serious disruption. However, the relief will be short lived and travellers will experience a diminished service over the coming weeks.
Redevelopment of the pier infrastructure plus construction of a modern ferry terminal building cost nearly £16 million in total.
But no sailings operated at the port when the new ferry office opened to the public in January. The ferry service was axed until mid-
The original opening event scheduled for 28th March was hastily put off at very last minute due to the announcement of a new First Minister the previous day.
Then dates in May and June were considered for the event.
The current minister is Fiona Hyslop, who was appointed in June.
She took over from Kevin Stewart who had a short few weeks in the post. Jenny Gilruth held the role for 14 months up to the end of March.
Work to redevelop the harbour and terminal building began in 2019 but was paused during the global pandemic
Completed first was a £14.3 million project to build a new pier, fendering system, dredging and increased marshalling area.
Construction of the ferry terminal building took place over 2022.
Tarbert ferry terminal grand opening finally to take place
9 October 2023
