No Sunday sailings to Hebrides says Calmac
Despite survey showing strong support, ferry company adamant there are no plans for mainland to island services on Sundays

Ferry operator CalMac has, in response to a number of enquiries from media outlets, reaffirmed its position with regard to the possibility of Sunday sailings to and from Harris and from Lewis to the mainland. This follows the publication of the results of a website survey conducted by the organisers of the Hebridean Celtic Festival, which revealed strong support for the introduction of a Sunday ferry service from Stornoway to the mainland.

CalMac currently operates ferry services from Monday to Saturday between Ullapool and Stornoway and between Tarbert Harris and Uig on Skye. A lifeline ferry service between Berneray and Leverburgh across the Sound of Harris and between Lochmaddy and Uig is offered seven days a week.

The company has today confirmed that there have been no formal requests for Sunday sailings where they are not currently operated, nor are there any plans to do so this weekend.

CalMac Chairman Peter Timms said: “There is understandably heightened interest in this issue as a result of the publication of the results of the Festival survey. CalMac welcomes this information as a useful background contribution to what is a highly sensitive issue. The CalMac Board last year decided that extending the service across the Sound of Harris to seven days fulfilled the company’s responsibility to provide lifeline services, meeting the social and economic needs of the islands. The Company had, and continues to have, representations from both sides over this issue and fully appreciates the sensitivities of the situation. The current position remains as it was in April, 2006: whilst it has been made clear by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and others on several occasions that this is an operational matter for the company, CalMac will still consult with the Comhairle and other community interests if any formal request is made for seven-day sailings. There are currently no such requests.”

CalMac has also confirmed that it will not be represented at an open panel discussion on ferry and other community issues to be held in Stornoway on Thursday, and a radio broadcast being made on Friday.

Mr Timms said: “It would be wholly inappropriate for CalMac to participate in any public debate at this time given the precise timing and our status as sole bidder for the Clyde and Hebrides ferry service contract. I appreciate that there may be pressure for us to attend from some areas, but this is an opportunity for the community to make its views known, and I will be delighted to receive a report of the outcome.

“CalMac will take due notice of the views expressed, which I have no doubt will represent a wide range of opinions. For the record, the tender specification for the west coast lifeline services notes the sensitivities about Sunday sailings to and from certain communities. If considered appropriate, the Executive may approve any timetable changes brought forward in relation to seven-day sailings.

“I have again reiterated our position in regard to seven-day sailings, and until there is a material change to the overall circumstances, that is where the matter rests.”

Historically, all services to and from North Uist, Harris and Lewis have operated a six day a week service. Reacting to demand from customers, Sunday services from North Uist to Skye began in 1989. CalMac has also operated the Sound of Barra service, the other key element of the Outer Hebrides Spinal Route, on a seven-day basis since it was taken over from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in 2004. The Sound of Harris became a seven-day operation in April 2006.