Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is urging CalMac to expand the Lochmaddy to Skye timetable to three daily return sailings when the Skye triangle route is spilt into two separate services.
Two new CalMac ferries – the MV Claymore and MV Lochmor - are due to start operating
next year.
CalMac confirmed Harris and Uist will each get their own dedicated ferry during the summer under a proposed timetable with a boost to vehicle capacity. At present one ship is shared on a combined Skye triangle schedule.
Travel demand can be “comfortably accommodated” with two return sailings per day in summer with plenty of room for growth says the ferry operator.
But the comhairle says providing three daily return sailings for Uist would be a significant improvement to the current ferry service.
Regional public transport body Hitrans agrees while the Uist Economic Partnership is also pressing for the same outcome.
The Uist Economic Partnership has been established to respond to economic challenges and opportunities, promote collaboration to align efforts and resources, and to lobby for change for the benefit of Uist.
At its recent meeting Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and partners made the case for the need for improvements to the operation of the route and encouraged strong responses to the ferry consultation.
The meeting of the partnership also discussed other key issues impacting Uist including the need to progress the full rollout of R100.
Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar said: “As a community Uist has been hit hard by timetable disruption and unreliable ferry services.
“Discussions at the Uist Economic Partnership meeting focused on Little Minch timetabling proposals and all partners agreed to make strong representations on the business need for improved service provision as a result of the future introduction of the new vessels on the route.
“It is welcome to see HiTrans act on the strong community view and outline the case for three daily return trips to Uist.
“Representatives at the meeting also emphasised the wealth of investment and activity taking place in Uist and the willingness of partners to communicate and work together.
“As anticipated, there was a focus on the severe impact of current levels of infrastructure and connectivity provision for Uist, particularly in respect of transport, but also looking to housing, grid connections and digital.”
CalMac said vehicle capacity will increase by 42% per week under its draft timetable.
A spokeswoman said: The introduction of these new vessels will mean that the service will move from a single to two vessel service during the summer timetable period, with each sailing offering an additional 10% vehicle carrying capacity.
"We anticipate that demand can be comfortably accommodated with two return sailings per day, in summer.
“Forecasted utilisation in 2026 on the draft timetables, demonstrates that during
the peak summer period, utilisation is expected to reach only 54% (Uig- Lochmaddy)
and 60% (Uig- Tarbert). This still allows for significant growth in travel on these
routes.
“With challenges and constraints currently facing the fleet, these new vessels will be extremely welcome when they are delivered and enter service.”
New CalMac ferry MV Lochmor at the shipbuilding yard in Turkey
Comhairle urges CalMac to maximise sailings for new North Uist ferry
18 April 2025