Islanders have written to new transport minister Fiona Hyslop demanding cash help from the Scottish Government, as a survey claimed CalMac’s “failing ferry service” has cost businesses on just two islands almost £1.5m.
In the midst of what was described as an “intense crisis for the Hebridean ferry system”, Joe Reade wrote to the newly-appointed transport minister on behalf of the Iona Community Council, Mull Community Council, the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee and other organisations on the two islands.
It comes as state-owned CalMac’s ageing fleet comes under pressure, with the ferry operator having recently been forced to cancel sailings to the island of South Uist for most of June.
