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Inadequate ferry service for Barra 29/5/14

Barra Sir,

Yet again services to Barra and South Uist are sent into chaos by Calmac's ailing fleet, but it should be absolutely clear that the vessel built and launched as Barra's dedicated ship is the Clansman. Lord of the Isles is used to buoy up the Barra service in the summer, whilst the Clansman serves the inner isles, incidentally providing them with a better service than Barra's.

Barra still has no direct return sailing on a Saturday from Castlebay to Oban, which is having a seriously detrimental effect on Barra's tourism. The one way out on a Saturday is via Eriskay and then Lochboisdale to Oban. Not this weekend! And also not always possible to book with the LOTI's smaller capacity.

Last winter Barra had a deplorable service from CalMac with the Clansman taken away as a replacement vessel and the LOTI unable to cope with the demands of the winter. Of course, there were days when weather necessitated all sailings across the Minch to be cancelled, and then there were the days when sailings of the Lord of the Isles across the Minch were cancelled but the larger vessels sailed.

Isn't it time that CalMac returned the Clansman to serve the island for which it was built?

Judy Rapoport

Vatersay

Isle of Barra