Mallaig community express concern over ferry shortages at start of summer timetable

A spokesperson for Mallaig Community Council said: "This has gone on for too many years to such an extent that the Mallaig/Armadale route is now under serious threat from mismanagement by CalMac.

"Residents of both Mallaig and the Sleat Peninsula are treated as second-class citizens, cut off from essential services on both sides of this route.

"We are tired of empty promises and demand a reliable, two-vessel service permanently as of now!"

Millions have travelled the route since its inception in the early 1900’s. For the local community the present situation is unacceptable.

"The Mallaig/Armadale route is a historic artery yet locals believe that it is being systematically eroded by the Management of CalMac who treat the route as non-essential," added the spokesperson.

"This produces a crisis of confidence and a real climate of uncertainty for the numerous small businesses which make up the fragile West Coast economy, having been built up around the promise of a reliable,
timetabled ferry service.

"Whilst Ministers focus on developing high impact, strategically coherent National Island plans, the mainland communities fringing our coasts are being simultaneously overlooked and left in a contradictory state of neglect and decline."

Despite the promise of "new" vessels coming through communities believe that the years of service
erosion and unpredictability may result in it taking years to reverse effects or combat the decline experienced by those affected.

"We urge CalMac, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government to look seriously at chartering equivalent vehicle carrying vessels to cover the Mallaig/Armadale crossing this Easter and beyond," said the spokesperson.

"Action must be taken to bring back a reliable permanent service to this route, thereby ensuring that small businesses can survive, thrive and invest in their future and bring hope to our small communities."

 “We are currently working on chartering a replacement vessel for Mallaig-Armadale and aim to have this in place as soon as possible. Also, MV Coruisk is set to return to this route earlier than expected and we will update on both these developments next week.

A CalMac spokeswoman told the Lochaber Times that the intention had been for MV Loch Bhrusda to operate on this route but that the vessel must remain on the Sound of Harris service while MV Loch Portain is delayed in annual overhaul.

"Mallaig-Armadale is a valued service, and we recognise how important it is to the local communities," she added.

"We are working hard to ensure that the route is covered in these circumstances."