news |
| Summer 2004 news A Committee Meeting was held at the home of Arthur McDonald on Thursday May 29th. Those present included Duncan Wilson, Robin Love, George Fairbairn, Iain Quinn, Ian Somerville, Gordon Law and Hamish Stewart. Following retirement, the owner of the Glenelg – Kylerhea Ferry, Roddy MacLeod is giving the local community the chance to buy and operate his ferry. The GLENAHULISH is the last turntable ferry in British waters and carried 14,039 cars last year. Mr MacLeod took over the ferry in 1990 and has operated without a subsidy ever since. Although the Skye Bridge opened in October 1995 sufficient numbers of visitors still want to travel along a route where cattle would be swum across on the way to mainland markets. A new passenger ferry service started in June linking Gairloch with Portree. The SPIRIT OF SKYE will make the crossing twice a day, taking 90 minutes, while carrying up to 36 passengers. Facilities on board include space for 10 bicycles and a café. Built in Scotland to a lightweight design, the vessel is powered by twin jet drives instead of traditional propellers. The service has since been suspended for safety reasons. At the time of writing the future of the service is not known. Caledonian Macbrayne has launched their first TV advertising campaign. Research has indicated that many people have considered travelling to the islands but have never got round to it. The advert is aimed at consumers in the 25 – 45 age groups as well as existing customers. Certain residents of Raasey are restless after Caledonian Macbrayne introduced Sunday sailings to the island. One islander claimed that the service was not asked for but foisted on them. Late night sailings on Friday and Saturday would be preferable to Sunday sailings. Others muttered about a lack of consultation while some were in favour of Sunday sailings. The question of Sunday sailings to Lewis and Harris is still bubbling under the surface particularly after the introduction of flights to Stornoway in October 2002. New terminals at Muck and Eigg mean the end of flit boats and the chance of wet feet The LOCH NEVIS will now berth at slipways making life easier for residents of the two islands. Using a flit boat meant transferring passengers and goods from the LOCH NEVIS to a small boat, which would then travel ashore. For many years it was part of island life. New slipways have still to be completed at Rum and Canna, the latter being last to have the new facility since the island already has a pier. Although not part of the CalMac remit, Inverie on the Knoydart Estate, may have a new slipway allowing the community to be served by Loch Nevis. Inverie is presently served by Bruce Watt, from Mallaig, using his boat the WESTERN ISLES. The possibility of a Barra - Lochboisdale – Mallaig link has arisen again and could be part of the tender for Caledonian Macbrayne ferry routes. CalMac have already tried a service on this route but failed because they used the same ship on the Mallaig – Armadale route therefore running the service at ridiculous times. However residents of Tiree, Coll and Colonsay argue that their need for an improved service outweighs the Outer Isles. In the Western Isles the idea has been welcomed. Residents there claim it would relieve pressure on the existing vessel for Tiree and Coll and would be good for the tourist trade and island business.
|
Contact WHSC: info@westhighlandsteamerclub.co.uk